English

Program Curriculum

• English Major

  The Major in English aims at developing a heightened appreciation of language through a close study of literature and greater facility in expression through regular written and oral presentations. The program seeks to develop powers of observation and discernment and to broaden awareness of the world, of our common humanity, and of the self. The major in English offers the Elementary Education Track and the double major in Secondary Education and English.

  Gateway to the Major (1)

  ENG 220

  Approaches to Reading and Interpretation

  Historical Perspective (3)

  The following courses are required but need not be taken according to the sequence in which they are listed or numbered, although it is preferable to take Literature Survey I before Literature Survey II:

  ENG 221	Survey of British Literature I: Beginnings to the 18th Century
  ENG 222	Survey of British Literature II: 19th Century to the Present
  ENG 223	Survey of American Literature: Beginnings to the Present

  Writing Unit (1)

  One 200–300 level writing course chosen from the following:

  ENG 201	Argument and Persuasion
  ENG 202	Introduction to Journalism
  ENG 203	Writing Workshop: Autobiography
  ENG 209	Creative Writing
  ENG 301	Special Topics in Communication and Media
  ENG 302	Special Topics in Journalism
  ENG 304	Business and Technical Writing
  ENG 305	Writing Workshop: Fiction
  ENG 306	Writing Workshop: Poetry
  ENG 308	Writing and Editing
  ENG 309	Writing Workshop: Creative Nonfiction

  Major Electives (4)

  At least three of the four electives should be literature courses (ENG 225-295, ENG 320-395). One course must address writing by historically under-represented groups, such as ENG 287 American Women of Color, ENG 379 Post-Colonial Literature, or ENG 387 Survey of African-American Literature. These elective courses may not double-count.

  Capstone Senior Seminar (1)

  ENG 411 or ENG 412 Senior Seminar in Literature

  Course Descriptions

  • English Major Course Descriptions

  Academic Catalog & Advising Guide
• English Major in Literature, Elementary Education Track

  The Elementary Education Track applies only to those students who are pursuing a major in Education with a licensure emphasis in Elementary (1-6). If a student withdraws from the Education major, then the option to pursue the Elementary Track in the English major no longer applies. English majors who are pursuing licensure in Middle/Secondary Education (5-8; 8-12) would still complete the standard 10-course English major in Literature.

  English Education Core (4)

  ENG 220	Approaches to Reading and Interpretation
  ENG 263	Children’s Literature
  EDU 302	Teaching English Language Learners
  EDU 325	Literacy Development and Instruction

  Historical Perspective (2)

  Students are strongly recommended to take all three courses.

  ENG 221	Survey of British Literature: Beginnings to the 18th Century
  ENG 222	Survey of British Literature: 19th Century to the Present
  ENG 223	Survey of American Literature: Beginnings to the Present

  Writing Unit (1)

  One 200-300 level writing course chosen from the following:

  ENG 201	Argument and Persuasion
  ENG 202	Introduction to Journalism
  ENG 203	Writing Workshop: Autobiography
  ENG 209	Creative Writing
  ENG 301	Special Topics in Communication and Media
  ENG 304	Business and Technical Writing
  ENG 305	Writing Workshop: Fiction
  ENG 306	Writing Workshop: Poetry
  ENG 308	Writing and Editing
  ENG 309	Creative Non-Fiction

  Major Electives (2)

  Two 300-level literature courses (ENG 320-395) from among department offerings. Students should take both 300-level literature courses before taking the Senior Seminar.

  Capstone (1)

  ENG 411/412

  Senior Seminar in Literature

  Course Descriptions

  • English Major in Literature, Elementary Education Course Descriptions

  Academic Catalog & Advising Guide
• Double Major in Secondary Education and English

  The Department of English works closely with Assumption’s Department of Education to prepare students for the teaching of English in secondary schools. Such students should consider a major in English and a major in secondary education. The major in English provides students with 30 hours of coursework in the field of knowledge competency required for certification by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Students preparing to teach English at the elementary or secondary level are strongly encouraged to meet with a member of the English Department as early in their academic experience as possible. Application for the appropriate education major must be made to Assumption’s Department of Education by the spring of the sophomore year. Students should plan their courses of study working closely with members of both the Education and English Departments.

  Course Descriptions

  • Double Major in Secondary Education and English Course Descriptions

  Academic Catalog & Advising Guide
• English Minor

  The minor consists of 18 credits (six courses) in English, including ENG 130 Writing in the University. At least three of the six courses must be in literature (ENG 140 may be counted as one of these three courses) and at least one must be a writing course at the 200-level or above. The student who intends to apply for an English Minor is urged to seek the advice of a faculty member in the department in order to design a program that is best suited to the student’s interests and professional goals.

  Required Courses

  ENG 130 and ENG 140

  3 literature courses

  At least one writing course at the 200-level or above

  Course Descriptions

  • English Minor Course Descriptions

  Academic Catalog & Advising Guide
• Writing Minor

  The minor consists of 18 credits (six courses) in Writing, including ENG 130 Writing in the University. The student who intends to apply for a Writing Minor is urged to seek the advice of a faculty member in the department in order to design a program that is best suited to the student’s interests and professional goals.

• Minor in Creative Writing and Magazine Design

  This interdisciplinary minor consists of 21 credits (seven courses) in English (ENG) and Graphic Design (ARD):

  Required Courses (3)

  ENG 209	Creative Writing
  ARD 115	Graphic Design I
  ARD 215	Graphic Design II

  Genre Course (1)

  ENG 231	Introduction to Poetry
  ENG 233	The Modern Short Story
  ENG 235	Introduction to Theatre
  ENG 240	Gothic Literature
  ENG 241	Fantasy Literature
  ENG 390	The Art of the Novel

  Creative Writing Courses (3)

  ENG 203	Autobiography Workshop
  ENG 305	Fiction Workshop
  ENG 306	Poetry Workshop
  ENG 309	Creative Nonfiction

  Students interested in the minor are urged to seek the advice of a faculty member in either the Department of English or the Department of Art and Music to design a program best suited to his or her interests and professional goals.

• Current and Recent Internships
  • WGBH Boston offers internships in writing, production, and public relations for programs including The Antiques Roadshow, The American Experience, and This Old House.
  • The American Cancer Society offers internships in writing, editing, public relations, community development, and educational liaison.
  • Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau interns write press releases, interview public figures and celebrities, work to develop special events and festivals.
  • WHDH-TV 7 Boston offers internships in newsroom writing, including feature stories, sports, and entertainment broadcasting, cyber-journalism, public relations, and editing.
  • PULSE Magazine offers internships in journalism, marketing, editing, and public relations.
  • Boston Globe offers journalism and online web journalism, layout and design, and editing.
  • Worcester Telegram and Gazette offers writing and editing opportunities in every department.
  • WAAF offers training in broadcasting, public relations, writing, and advertising.
  • Davis Publishing offers interns a choice of editing, graphic design, public relations, and technical writing opportunities.
• Learning Goals
  • The department understands “literary,” “literature” and “language” to include written, visual, and performative texts. As members of the English Department, we want our students to do the following:
  • To pose questions and employ methods specific to the field of literary studies and to explore the implications of these ways of knowing;
  • To read critically and empathetically, recognizing the significance, quality, and consequences of language;
  • To write and speak effectively, exhibiting an awareness of the audience;
  • To ask ethical questions about literature and its consequences for their values and ways of being in the world;
  • To gain a more informed and global understanding of cultural and historical differences;
  • To take intellectual risks, to synthesize the questions and approaches of the discipline they have learned, and to take responsibility for their own learning.
  • To become lifelong active and engaged learners.