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English (B.A.)

The English major and minor provide preparation for entry into graduate study, professional schools, and a wide variety of career fields. English majors have the option of choosing a track in literature, media and performance studies, or writing, or a secondary teaching licensure program.

Through the literature and writing courses required for the major, students develop valuable writing, critical reading, and research skills. The study of literature provides tools of critical analysis, awareness of major authors and literary traditions, and insight into how literary developments mirror and influence major societal developments. The writing courses teach the principles of clear and effective writing for a variety of purposes and audiences.

All English majors complete an internship, which provides valuable practical experience and the opportunity to apply skills in a professional context. In addition to the required internship, seniors must successfully complete a senior research seminar.

By choosing minors in such areas as gender and society, politics, and psychology, students can prepare themselves to apply their skills in the professional world. The English major, meanwhile, is a lifelong resource in providing a broad liberal arts education.

In addition, Marymount University has a Direct Entry Affiliation Agreement with Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. This enables qualified third-year Marymount students in designated majors to be admitted to the first year of law school during their senior year at Marymount.  English majors who are interested in this program should discuss this track with their major advisor as soon as they become interested, preferably in the freshman year. The advisor will guide students through the selection of Marymount courses and refer them to the Office of Admissions of the Columbus School of Law as potential applicants. Qualified students may receive credit from both Marymount and Catholic University for a maximum of 29 credits taken at the Columbus School of Law. For details on eligibility, please see Pre-Law Advising.

Upon successful completion of the English program, students will be able to

  • respond to a literary text in a way that reflects an awareness of aesthetic values, historical context, ideological orientation, and critical approach;
  • write coherent, well-organized essays that establish a clear focus, provide appropriate evidence, and are grammatically correct;
  • conduct appropriate research and synthesize their own original ideas with those advanced by literary critics and other scholars;
  • demonstrate a thoughtful understanding of their own writing process;
  • analyze literary works — in all genres — with respect to structure, style, and theme;
  • demonstrate information and technological literacy in research and competence in Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation; and
  • deliver oral presentations that are focused, well-organized, and effective, and establish a connection with the audience.

Residency Requirements: Students transferring from other institutions must complete at least 21 credits in English at Marymount University. Those credits should include EN 200 Elements of Literary Study, EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice, or EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies, 3 credits in English at the 400 level, and 9 additional credits at the 300 level or above.

Degree Requirements — English

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. English majors will satisfy part of the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement through: EN 200 Elements of Literary Study and EN 424 Senior Seminar. In addition, majors on the literature track must take EN 490 Major Author(s); majors on the writing track must take EN 301 The Writing Process and EN 308 Style and Revision; majors on the media and performance studies track must take EN 321 Modern Drama or EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice or EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies

EN 400 Internship or CMD 400 Internship

EN 424 Senior Seminar or CMD 404 Performance Media Lab

All majors also complete coursework in a chosen track as follows:

Literature track

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World or

EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment or EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

EN 205 American Literature I, EN 206 American Literature II, or EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice or EN 308 Style and Revision

EN 490 Major Author(s)

Three (3) credits in electives numbered EN 205 or above

Nine (9) credits in electives numbered EN 301 or above

Media and Performance Studies track

Three (3) credits from the following: EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World, EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages, EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment, EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism, EN 205 American Literature I, EN 206 American Literature II, or EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

Nine (9) credits from the following: EN 212 Topics in Acting, EN 270 Approaches to Creative Writing, EN 305 Topics in Creative Writing, CMD 101 Public Speaking, CMD 202 Illustration I, CMD 203 Digital Photography, CMD 204 Video Production: Multimedia Communication, CMD 205 Video Production: Promotional and Informational, CMD 308 Web and Social Media Design

EN 207 Theater History or EN 220 The Movie or the Book?

EN 321 Modern Drama or EN 355 Shakespeare

EN 429 Topics in Performance

Twelve (12) credits in literature electives

Writing track

Three (3) credits from EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World, EN 205 American Literature I, EN 206 American Literature II or EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

EN 211 Principles of Language

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 308 Style and Revision

Three (3) credits in Advanced Literature (LT-2)

Nine (9) credits in English and/or communication writing course electives

Three (3) credits in support skills electives in digital publishing

Sample Degree Plan — English

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections. This sample plan is based on the literature track and will differ for students pursuing other tracks.

Year One — Fall

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

HI 203 Western Civilization I or HI 204 Western Civilization II (HI-1 core course)*

Mathematics (MT) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study § *

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

FA 201 Introduction to Art History I or FA 202 Introduction to Art History II (FNA core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Fall

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World (LT-1 core course) or EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages § *

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment or EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism § *

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

One (1) elective

Year Two — Spring

EN 205 American Literature I §

EN 206 American Literature II § or EN 230 American Multicultural Literature §

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice §

Three (3) electives

Year Three — Fall

One (1) major elective (Advanced Literature LT-2 core course) § *

Two (2) major electives §

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Year Three — Spring

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice or EN 308 Style and Revision § *

One (1) major elective §

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course*

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) core course or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E)*

One (1) elective

Year Four — Fall

EN 424 Senior Seminar § *

EN 490 Major Author(s) § *

One (1) major elective §

Two (2) electives

Year Four — Spring

EN 400 Internship § *

Three (3) electives

§ Requirement for the major. Consult an advisor about scheduling of course requirements for tracks: literature, media and performance studies, and writing.

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

English with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure (B.A. in English)

This program of study allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in English and also be licensed to teach secondary English at the end of four years. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experience and student teaching.

Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See the education section for admission requirements and procedures.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses as specified to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. In addition to working with an advisor in the English program, students should see an education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further assistance in degree planning.

Also, course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester. Individual advising is important to ensure meeting all major and teaching licensure requirements.

Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of C is needed in all professional studies courses required for licensure.

Degree Requirements — English with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Writing-Intensive course requirements for this program are satisfied in this way: EN 200 Elements of Literary Study, EN 424 Senior Seminar, and EN 490 Major Author(s).

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements. Some coursework fulfills teaching licensure requirements as specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

EN 212 Topics in Acting or CMD 101 Public Speaking

ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning

ED 327S Curriculum Design: Secondary Education

ED 337 Literacy in the Content Areas

ED 452 Managing the Classroom #

ED 460S Student Teaching: Secondary Level #

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World or EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment or EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

EN 205 American Literature I, EN 206 American Literature II, or EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

EN 211 Principles of Language

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence

EN 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary English

EN 424 Senior Seminar

EN 490 Major Author(s)

EN 554 Applied Grammar: Syntactic Structures (See university’s Graduate Catalog for course description)

9 credits in English electives numbered EN 321 or above

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development

PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities

# ED 452 and ED 460S must be taken at the same time.

Sample Degree Plan — English with Secondary-Level Teaching Licensure

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

HI 203 Western Civilization I or HI 204 Western Civilization II (HI-1 core course)*

Mathematics (MT) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course (economics, politics, sociology)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

EN 212 Topics in Acting or CMD 101 Public Speaking §

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study § *

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course*

Year Two — Fall

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World or EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages § *

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment (LT-1 core course) or EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism § *

EN 211 Principles of Language §

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development (SS-1 core course) § *

Year Two — Spring

ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning §

EN 205 American Literature I §, EN 206 American Literature II § or EN 230 American Multicultural Literature §

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice §

Two (2) major elective §

Year Three — Fall

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice § *

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence § *

ED 327S Curriculum Design: Secondary Education §

One (1) major elective §

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Year Three — Spring

ED 337 Literacy in the Content Areas §

EN 554 Applied Grammar §

Fine Arts (FNA) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course*

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Four — Fall

EN 424 Senior Seminar § *

EN 385 Approaches to Secondary Teaching §

PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities (SS-2 core course) § *

Two (2) major electives §

Year Four — Spring

ED 452 Managing the Classroom §

ED 460S Student Teaching § *

EN 490 Major Author(s) § *

One (1) elective

§ Requirement for the major and/or teaching licensure

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

Sample Degree Plan - English 3+3 Partnership with Catholic University School of Law

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections. This sample plan is based on the literature track and will differ for students pursuing other tracks.

Year One — Fall

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

HI 103 Western Civilization I or HI 104 Western Civilization II (HI-1 core course)*

Mathematics (MT) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study § *

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

FA 201 Introduction to Art History I or FA 202 Introduction to Art History II (FNA core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two —Fall

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World or EN 202: World Literature: The Middle Ages (LT-1 core course) § *

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment or EN 204: World Literature: Romanticism through Post-

Modernism § *

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Year Two —Spring

EN 205 American Literature I, §EN 206 American Literature II § or EN 230 American Multicultural Literature §

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice §

Major elective (Advanced Literature LT-2 core course) § *

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course*

Year Three — Fall

Three (2) major electives §

EN 424 Senior Seminar § *

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) core course or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E)*

Year Three — Spring

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice or EN 308 Style and Revision § *

EN 490 Major Author(s) § *

One (1) major elective §

One (1) elective

EN 400 Internship § *

Year Four — Fall (classes to be completed at Columbus School of Law)

Catholic University law school courses, including Lawyering Skills

Year Four — Spring (classes to be completed at Columbus School of Law)

Catholic University law school courses, including Lawyering Skills

§ Requirement for the major. Consult an advisor about scheduling of course requirements for tracks: literature, media and performance studies, and writing.

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

English (Minor)

Minor Requirements

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice

Six (6) credits from EN 201-204 World Literature

Nine (9) credits in additional English courses (excluding EN 101 and EN 102, but including 6 credits from EN courses numbered 321 or above)

French (Minor)

See French minor under Foreign Languages in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Spanish (Minor)

See Spanish minor under Foreign Languages in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Writing (Minor)

Writing is a fundamental skill in today's world, and the writing minor will help prepare students for professional careers and/or graduate education in a variety of fields. The minor develops students' persuasive, stylistic, creative, and analytical skills through an examination of the characteristics of successful writing, along with the implementation of successful writing strategies in multiple modes and genres.

Minor Requirements

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 308 Style and Revision

Fifteen (15) additional credits from the following courses: CMD 209 Journalism Contemporary, CMD 315 Writing for Digital Media, CMD 307 Broadcast Writing and Delivery, EN 270 Approaches to Creative Writing, EN 303 Literary Nonfiction, EN 305 Topics in Creative Writing (may be taken more than once for credit)

Students may substitute one Writing-Intensive (WI) course from their field of study to satisfy this minor's requirements.

Catalog Contents

General Information

Admission

Financial Information

Academic Support Services

Academic Information and Policies

University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Programs

Course Descriptions

Accounting Courses

Applied Arts Courses

Astronomy Courses

Biology Courses

Business Law Courses

Center for Career Services

Chemistry Courses

Communication and Media Design Courses

Criminal Justice Courses

Economics Courses

Education Courses

English Courses

EN 090 Introduction to College Reading

EN 100 Introduction to College Writing

EN 101 Composition I

EN 102 Composition II

EN 150 Introduction to American Sign Language

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World

EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment

EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

EN 205 American Literature I

EN 206 American Literature II

EN 207 Theater History

EN 211 Principles of Language

EN 212 Topics in Acting

EN 220 The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema

EN 225 Literary Superheroes

EN 227 Short Fiction

EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies

EN 250 Introduction to Shakespeare and Elizabethan Literature in London

EN 270 Approaches to Creative Writing

EN 280 Perspectives on Language Acquisition

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 303 Literary Nonfiction

EN 305 Topics in Creative Writing

EN 308 Style and Revision

EN 321 Modern Drama

EN 322 19th-Century British Poets

EN 323 Modern Poetry

EN 330 Chaucer and the Courtly Love Tradition

EN 340 Major Women Writers

EN 350 The American Dream

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence

EN 355 Shakespeare

EN 357 Topics in Literature Before 1800

EN 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary English

EN 400 Internship

EN 421 Project

EN 424 Senior Seminar

EN 426 Studies in the Novel

EN 428 Studies in Contemporary Literature

EN 429 Topics in Performance

EN 433 Research

EN 490 Major Author(s)

Finance Courses

Fine Arts Courses

First-Year Seminar Courses

French Courses

Geography Courses

Geology Courses

German Courses

Global Scholars Courses

Health And Human Performance Courses

Health Care Management Courses

Health Information Management Courses

History Courses

Honors Courses

Human Resource Management Courses

Humanities Courses

Information Technology Courses

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

Interior Design Courses

Legal Administration Courses

Liberal Studies Courses

Literature Courses

Management Courses

Management Science Courses

Marketing Courses

Mathematics Courses

Multidisciplinary Studies Courses

Nursing Courses

Philosophy Courses

Physical Science Courses

Physics Courses

Politics Courses

Psychology Courses

Sociology Courses

Spanish Courses

Theology and Religious Studies Courses

University Leadership

Notices to Students

Index