The English major and minor provide preparation for entry into graduate study, professional schools, and a wide variety of career fields. Through the literature and writing courses required for the major, students develop transferable writing, critical reading, and research skills. The study of literature provides the tools of criticism, an awareness of major authors and issues in literature, 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.
By choosing minors in such areas as Biology, Communications, Business, Politics, and Psychology, students can prepare themselves to apply their skills in the professional world while at the same time obtaining a broad liberal arts education from which to draw for a lifetime. The internship gives students valuable practical experience and affords them the opportunity to apply their skills in a professional context. In addition to the required internship, seniors must successfully complete a senior seminar research paper.
Students may also choose a double major in Communications and English. This major calls for the completion of 30 credits in Communications and 30 credits in English. Students interested in the requirements for a double major in Communications and English should confer with advisors in each area.
The writing and literature courses also support the Liberal Arts Core requirements of the University. To ensure completion of Liberal Arts Core requirements, the School of Arts and Sciences administers a writing placement test to all entering freshmen. Depending on the results of the placement test, all freshmen should enroll in EN 101 Composition or another writing course during their first semester. All students should consult with their advisors concerning the writing requirements in their major. The required composition courses must be completed prior to enrollment in literature courses. Students whose majors require survey courses in literature should complete these courses during the sophomore year.
Liberal Arts Core requirements: All Liberal Arts Core requirements must be fulfilled. It is recommended that students work with an advisor to ensure compliance.
Major requirements: (45 credits) EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study, EN 201-203 World Masterpieces, either EN 205 American Literature I or EN 206 American Literature II, EN 424 Senior Seminar, EN 490 Major Author(s), 18 additional credits in EN courses numbered 204 and above (at least 15 credits must come from courses numbered 320 and above), EN 400 Internship. English majors must earn a grade of C or better in EN 200, EN 301, and EN 424.
English majors are advised to take CIS 101 Computer Applications I if their computer skills are weak.
Students transferring from other institutions must complete at least 18 credits in English at Marymount University. Those credits should include EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study or EN 540 Literary Theory, EN 301 Writing Process, EN 424 Senior Seminar, and 9 additional credits at the 300 level or above.
Electives: to total 120 credits.
Alternatively, the English major may choose one of the following tracks: Dramatic Arts, Writing, or Teaching Licensure in Secondary English.
Liberal Arts Core requirements: All Liberal Arts Core requirements must be fulfilled. It is recommended that students work with an advisor to ensure compliance.
Major requirements: EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study; 6 credits from EN 203-206 World Masterpieces and American Literature, COM 204 Oral Interpretation, EN 212 Introduction to the Technique of Acting, EN 318 Theater History, EN 321 Modern Drama, EN 355 or 356 Shakespeare, EN 424 Senior Seminar, EN 490 Major Authors or EN 562 Shakespeare: Text and Performance; EN/COM 400 Internship (3-6 credits); and 9 credits from 300-level literature courses.
Liberal Arts Core requirements: All Liberal Arts Core requirements must be fulfilled. It is recommended that students work with an advisor to ensure compliance.
Major requirements: EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study; 6 credits from EN 203-206 World Masterpieces and American Literature, COM 209 Introduction to Journalism, EN 211 Principles of Language, EN 424 Senior Seminar; EN/COM 400 Internship (3-6 credits); 9 credits from COM 300 Report Writing, EN 302 Creative Writing, COM 305 Journalism II, COM 315 Writing for the Media, COM 316 Broadcast Journalism, COM 317 Editing and the Editorial Process, and MGT 391 Business Writing and Speaking; and 9 credits from CIS 101-102 Computer Application I or II, COM 200 Desktop Publishing, COM 308 Advanced Desktop Publishing, COM 309 Multimedia Design, or approved computer-related electives.
Undergraduates seeking teaching licensure in English on the secondary level must fulfill the curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in English as well as 18 credits of professional studies. In addition, the following courses must be completed: COM 204 Oral Interpretation, EN 211 Principles of Language, EN 554 Applied Grammar: Syntactic Structures. Students should consult their primary advisor in English for English program requirements. A second advisor is also provided by the School of Education and Human Services. See the School of Education and Human Services for a complete description of the undergraduate teaching licensure programs and the admission process.
Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure including field experience and student teaching. This program of studies allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in English and also be licensed to teach secondary English at the end of four years.
English majors seeking licensure in English as a Second Language K-12 fulfill degree requirements with the following additional courses: COM 101 Public Speaking or COM 204 Oral Interpretation, COM 301 Intercultural Communication or ED 465 Literature and Language Arts Applications for Multicultural Education, EN 211 Principles of Language, EN 280 Perspectives on Language Acquisition, EN 361 American Multicultural Literature, EN 552 Applied Phonology, EN 554 Applied Grammar, ED 361 Communicative Language Teaching, PSY 210 Human Growth and Development or PSY 312 Adolescent Psychology, SOC 201 Cultural Anthropology, and 6 credits in a foreign language. (Students who are bilingual and can demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate level may waive this last requirement.) In addition, student must take 18 credits in professional studies: ED 245E Exploring Teaching or ED 245S Educational Foundations, ED 337 Reading in the Content Areas or ED 310 Reading and the Language Arts, ED 453 Methods and Strategies for TESL, ED 463 Curriculum and Assessment in ESL, and ED 360 Student Teaching. This licensure program is pending approval by the Virginia Department of Education and will not be available for completion until at least May 2006.
ESL certificate: English majors who seek an ESL certificate without pursuing licensure at this time may do so by taking the following courses: EN 211 Principles of Language or EN 550 General Linguistics, EN 280 Perspectives on Language Acquisition, EN 552 Applied Phonology, EN 554 Applied Grammar, ED 453 Methods and Strategies for TESL, COM 301 Intercultural Communication or ED 465 Literature and Language Arts Applications for Multicultural Education.
Non-English majors may earn this certificate provided that they:
Students seeking ESL certification may also enoll in a 3-6 credit EN 400 Internship to develop their skill as an ESL teacher.
English majors seeking additional licensure for ESL must take the following additional courses: 6 credits of foreign language; ED 563 ESL/ESP: Curricula, Materials, and Tests; ED 565 Cross-cultural Education and the Language Arts; one 500-level EN English Linguistics elective; ED 570D Internship: ESL (student teaching) for 6 credits.
Minor requirements: EN 200 Approaches to Literary Study, 6 credits from EN 201-204 World Masterpieces, and 12 additional credits in English courses (excluding EN 101 and 102).