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Major in English | Major in English with Certification in English, Language Arts and Reading | English Minor | English Minor (Standard Secondary Certification)
Course Descriptions
Chair: Charles
W. (Bill) Bridges (936) 294-1402
The Department of English and Foreign Languages is
comprised of two programs: one in English, one in Foreign Languages.
Each program offers students the opportunity to study language,
literature, composition and cultures.
Mission
The Department of English and Foreign Languages strives
to provide students with opportunities to grow as learners and as
individuals. Students in the English Program may, through study
of literature, gain an awareness and knowledge of themselves and
their contemporary world. Other English students combine their cultural
interests with specific vocational objectives, such as professional
writing, teaching, or pre-professional training for law, business,
or medicine. Students in the Foreign Languages Program may broaden
their experience and increase their awareness of other cultures
by acquiring a second language. Students in this program may also
develop the skills and knowledge leading to such vocational positions
as teachers and translators.
ENGLISH PROGRAM
Coordinator: Bill
Bridges (936) 294-1402
Faculty:
William Abbott, Robert Adams,
Kim Bell, Tracy
Bilsing, Paul Child, Linda
Cook, Lee Courtney, Robert
Donahoo, Diane Dowdey,
Julie Hall, Helena
Halmari, Melanie Hanson,
Darci Hill, Douglas
Krienke, Melissa Morphew,
Carroll Nardone, Ralph
Pease, Deborah Phelps,
Paul Ruffin, April Shemak,
Kandi Tayebi, Gene
Young
Information: (936)294-1404; Evans
Building 458; English@shsu.edu
Website: https://www.shsu.edu/~eng_www/
English forms the cornerstone of the humanities.
In a variety of courses in literature, writing, and the English
language, students find a source of personal enrichment, and they
develop verbal, analytical, and cultural skills readily adaptable
to a variety of careers. English students learn to write with grace
and precision, to read and analyze texts with accuracy, to conduct
research and organize a welter of materials, to speak and listen
well—in short, to sharpen their critical thinking and critical
inquiry skills. These skills are highly valued by prospective employers.
Most professions, while expecting new employees to be familiar with
their specific fields, stress above all else the ability of their
employees to read, write, and speak efficiently. Similarly, professional
schools are interested in the student who reads, writes, and speaks
well. Brochures from medical and law schools, for example, reflect
an increasing awareness of the importance of an English background
for future physicians and attorneys.
Academic Programs
Students in English may elect any of several degree
options. A student may choose the Bachelor of Arts in English or
elect to major in English and obtain composite teacher certification
in English, Language Arts, and Reading. An emphasis in writing is
available, and a minor in English is offered for students who major
in other fields of study.
Highlights
• Students are provided opportunities to publish
and present their writing and to enter writing contests. Numerous
students have published works in regional and national journals.
• Academy of American Poets Prize—students
compete for a poetry writing prize judged by a nationally recognized
poet.
• The English Department focuses on good teaching,
featuring a Minnie Stevens Piper Teaching Award winner, a Distinguished
Professor, and numerous Sam Houston State University Teaching
Excellence Award winners.
• Faculty actively publish in national journals,
win national literary awards, and serve as editors of scholarly
journals.
• Students have the opportunity to write technical
documents for non-profit and other community groups.
• Nationally recognized writers are brought
to campus each year to read their works to students and discuss
the writing and publishing process. Such writers have included
Larry McMurtry, Richard Bausch, George Garrett, X.J. Kennedy,
Galway Kinnell, Allison Joseph, Maurice Kilwein, and Marilyn Nelson.
Suggested Minors
SHSU offers a wide range of courses and areas students
may use to structure a minor, and students should choose a minor
to fit their individual interests and career goals. Common minors
for English majors include History, Journalism, Political Science,
Speech Communication, and Education.
Career Opportunities
When graduates leave SHSU with a degree in English,
they are prepared for career opportunities or advanced study in
teaching, technical and professional communication, journalism,
government service, editing, scholarly and trade publishing, law,
and business.
Student Organizations and Activities
Students in English may participate in many activities
that will enrich their undergraduate experience and support the
courses they take. These include:
• Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society,
invites junior and senior English majors and minors to become
members of this prestigious national organization, with membership
in the society recorded on the student’s transcript. Each
year Sigma Tau Delta is an active student organization, sponsoring
an annual food drive and readings throughout the school year.
Applications for Sigma Tau Delta are available in the English
office.
• The Writer’s Forum provides opportunities
for all SHSU students to publish their writing.
• The Sam Houston State Review is a literary
magazine that publishes the writing of SHSU students. The Review
staff consists of SHSU students who work closely with a faculty
advisor.
• The Texas Review is a nationally-recognized
literary magazine that, twice a year, publishes fiction, poetry,
nonfiction prose, and reviews by writers from around the world.
The Texas Review Press sponsors the publication of five to seven
books a year, including works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction
prose. Students have the opportunity to serve as interns while
working as a member of the Review and the Press staff.
Internships and Study Abroad
• The Texas Review Press—Students have
the opportunity to serve as interns at the Texas Review Press.
Interns are involved in a variety of tasks, ranging from charting
the development of a manuscript to evaluating submissions to the
literary journal.
• Internships in business and industry may
be available for qualified students enrolled in the Writing Option.
Scholarships
Several scholarships are available for outstanding
undergraduate students. Please see the Department Chair and/or
the department’s website for more information. Information
on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of
Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/scholarships
or telephone (936) 294-1672.
Program Specific Requirements
The English major requires a total of 36 hours
of English coursework. (Note: ENG 164 and 165 may not be used
to meet this requirement.) All general degree requirements including
a minor in a non-English area also must be met.
Curriculum
| Required courses: ENG 265, 266 or 267, 360, 361, 384, and
385 |
18 hrs. |
| The total must include a minimum of 18 upper division hours |
|
| (6 hrs. at the 400 level) |
18 hrs. |
| Total |
36 hrs. |
Major in English
Bachelor of Arts
| First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
| ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
ENG 265; 3 hrs. from 266 or 267* |
6 |
| HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
PHL 261 or PHL 471 |
3 |
| Component Area 3 (Natural Science
from two different departments) |
8 |
POL 261, POL (200-level) |
6 |
| Foreign Language 141 and 142 (Four semesters
in one language) |
8 |
MTH 164 |
3 |
| Component Area 6 (Computer Literacy)
|
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| KIN 215 |
1 |
Foreign Language 263 and 264 (Four semesters
in one language) |
6 |
| |
32 |
ART, DNC, MUS, THR or PHL 366 |
3 |
| |
|
Component Area 4 (Visual and Performing Arts)
|
3 |
| |
|
|
33 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third Year and Fourth Year |
Credit |
|
|
| ENG 360, 361, 384, and 385 |
12 |
|
|
| ENG Advanced 400 Elective |
6 |
|
|
| ENG Advanced General Elective |
12 |
|
|
| Minor (6 hr adv) |
18 |
|
|
| Component Area 5 |
3 |
|
|
| Elective |
6 |
|
|
| General electives (Adv) |
6 |
|
|
| |
63 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
English Writing Option: Students
who wish to strengthen their writing skills may wish to pursue
the technical or creative writing option, taking such courses
as
ENG 330, 377, 381, 382, 380, 430, 481, 482, or
475
Students with interest in a particular discipline
may elect a specialty track, combining their interests in writing
with such disciplines as Animal Science, General Agriculture,
Health, Criminal Justice, Journalism, Psychology, Political Science,
Radio/Television/Film, Sociology, and Speech Communication.
Students interested in the Multimedia Authoring
and Communication major should refer to degree programs in the
Department of Speech Communication and the Department of Mass
Communication.
English, Language
Arts, and Reading
Teaching Certification
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts with Certification:
A student pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree may obtain teaching
certification by completing the English certification major below
and the required coursework in professional education (SED). A
second teaching field is no longer required (although an academic
minor is), but a second teaching field would enhance employability
in the public schools. See the English certification advisor for
advice on recommended coursework.
| First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
| ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
ENG 265;ENG 266 or 267* |
6 |
| HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
PHL 261 |
3 |
| MTH 164 (or approved substitute) |
3 |
Foreign Language 263, 264 (Four
semesters in one language) |
6 |
| Natural Science (from two different departments)
|
8 |
CS 133 or 138 |
3 |
| Foreign Language 141 and 142 (Four
semesters in one language) |
8 |
ART, DNC, MUS, THR or PHL 366
|
3 |
| Component Area 4 (Visual and Performing Arts)
|
3 |
SED 383 |
3 |
| KIN 215 |
1 |
POL 261, POL (200-level) |
6 |
| |
35 |
SCM 384 or accepted substitute |
3 |
| |
|
|
33 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
| ENG 360, 361, 373, 380, 384 ,
385 |
18 |
ENG 464 |
3 |
| SED 374 |
3 |
RDG 392, SED 394, 480 |
9 |
| Minor |
12 |
SED 464, 496, 497 |
9 |
| |
33 |
Minor (Adv.) |
6 |
| |
|
|
27 |
| |
|
|
|
Requirements
for English Minor
Curriculum: Minor in English
| ENG 265; 266 or 267 (choose 1) |
3 |
| ENG 360, 361, 384, or 385 (choose 3)
|
9 |
| 300- or 400-level English electives (choose 1) |
3 |
| 400-level English elective (choose 1) |
3 |
| |
18 |
Curriculum: Minor in Creative Writing
| ENG 380 |
3 |
ENG 381 |
3 |
| ENG 382 |
3 |
| ENG 383 |
6 |
| ENG 481or 482 |
3 |
| |
18 |
Curriculum: Minor in Professional Writing
| ENG 330 |
3 |
ENG 377 |
3 |
| ENG 380, 381, or 382 |
3 |
| ENG 430 |
3 |
| ENG 435 |
3 |
| ENG 300/400-level elective |
3 |
| |
18 |
Curriculum:
Minor in English
(Standard Secondary Certification)
ENG 265, 266 or 267 (Choose
any 2)* |
6 |
| ENG 373, 380, 464 |
9 |
| Advanced English electives |
9 |
| |
24 |
* Students with a “B” average or better
in the first nine hours of English may take any 300-level course
in lieu of a second 200-level course.
Course Descriptions:
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