Why study English and world literature at CMU?

Students in the English program will hone their English and writing skills, as well as experience a deeper appreciation for literature in preparation for a variety of careers including teaching, writing, and more. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:

• Writing opportunities with many on-campus student publications such as Central Review
• The CMU Writing Center assists writers in developing writing strategies and skills
• Instructional Materials Center offers contemporary children�s literature and teaching materials
• Access to a collection of more than 7,000 old and rare children�s books in the Lucile Clarke Memorial Children�s Library
• Small classes with respected faculty members, many of whom have published articles and books

Career outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:

• Job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught.
• Jobs for librarians in nontraditional settings will grow the fastest, such as in private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms.
• Online publications and services are growing in number and sophistication, spurring the demand for writers and editors, especially those with Web experience.
• Most jobs in the writing and editing field require a college degree in communications, journalism, or English, although a degree in a technical subject may be useful for technical-writing positions.

Career options

Graduates of the English program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.

• Copywriter
• Editor
• Editorial Researcher
• Journalist
• Librarian
• Literary Scholar
• Manuscript Reviewer
• Public Relations Specialist
• Teacher (K-12 or postsecondary)
• Writer

Program Overview

The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.

(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)

English Major:World Literature Concentration

(9 hours)

Core Courses I

3

ENG 234 Introduction to Literary Analysis

Intensive study of perspectives for interpreting and evaluating texts of various literary genres, such as narrative, fiction, drama, and poetry.

3

ENG 349 Shakespeare

A study of selected sonnets and a variety of comedies, histories, and tragedies with consideration of their Elizabethan and Jacobean background. Prerequisites: ENG 101 or 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201 with a grade of C or better.

3

ENG 460 Senior Seminar: Current Issues in English

Explores current scholarly, theoretical, or pedagogical issues in English studies culminating in a major creative and/or written academic paper presented orally. Prerequisites: Open to senior English majors only; ENG 101, 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201 with a grade of C or better; ENG 134 or 234.

(3 hours)

Core Courses II

Select one of the following:

3

ENG 175 The Nature of Language

An introduction to the study of language in relation to social systems. Topics include linguistic structures, language acquisition, dialects, and language change. (University Program Group III-B)

3

ENG 271 Modern Grammar

Linguistic description of the grammar of standard American English. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099 or ELI 198.

3

ENG 375 Introduction to Linguistics

A survey of the field of linguistics, including discussion of sounds, word structure, sentence structure, meaning, acquisition, social use and historical change of language. Prerequisites: ENG 101 or 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201 with a grade of C or better.

3

ENG 545 Chaucer

Middle English grammar and pronunciation. The life and works of Chaucer with emphasis on the Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde.

3

ENG 570 Old English

Study of the grammar and pronunciation of Old English and analysis of Old English literary texts. Prerequisites: Graduate Status or ENG 201 with a grade of C or better; ENG 134 or 234.

(3 hours)

Core Courses III

Select one of the following:

3

ENG 251 American Literature: Colonial Through the Romantic Period

Emphasis on major writers and trends. Primarily a sophomore course but open to freshmen. (University Program Group I-A)

3

ENG 252 American Literature: Realistic Period to the Present.

Emphasis on major writers and trends. Primarily a sophomore course but open to freshmen. (University Program Group I-A)

(3 hours)

Core Courses IV

Select one of the following:

3

ENG 235 English Literature: Beginning to Romantic Period

Beginning to Romantic Period. Primarily for sophomores; open to freshmen. May be offered as Writing Intensive.(University Program Group I-A)

3

ENG 236 British Literature

Examines British literature from the Romantic period to present day in light of literary, historical, and philosophical influences. (Group I-A) Primarily for sophomores; open to freshmen. May be offered as Writing Intensive.

(3 hours)

Core Courses V

Select one of the following:

3

ENG 261 Masterpieces of Ancient Literature

Major world literature to the medieval period including Greek and Roman works. (University Program Group I-A)

3

ENG 262 Masterpieces of European Literature

Significant works of medieval and modern periods. (University Program Group I-A)

General Statements

General statements that apply to English majors and minors: 1. The number of hours in special topics electives may not exceed six hours for English majors and three hours for English minors. Correspondence credit and independent study in English are restricted to nine hours for the major and six hours for the minor. 2. The department supports the concept of advanced placement as well as exemption from required courses and credit earned through approved university examination programs. 3. Eng 070 to ENG 100, ENG 101, ELI 198, ELI 199, ENG 103/099 and ENG 201 do not apply on a major or minor. 4. English education majors and minors must present a minimal cumulative GPA 2.7 in all English course work for departmental approval for directed teaching and for teaching certification. All required course work must be completed before directed teaching, and all professional courses must be graded C+ or better.

(3 hours)

Required Courses I

One course from:

3

ENG 321 20th Century British and American Poetry

Study of major twentieth-century poets such as Yeats, Frost, Williams, Pound, Eliot, and more recent poets; examination of significant trends. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099 or ELI 198 and ENG 201.

3

ENG 332 Contemporary Literature and Thought

Readings in contemporary (post-World War II) literary genres relative to contemporary thought. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099, or ELI 198; Grade of "C" or better in ENG 201.

3

ENG 333 Literatures of Non-Western Cultures

Introduction to literatures of non-Western cultures, such as African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Aboriginal, Caribbean, or Latin American. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099 or ELI 198, Grade of "C" or better in ENG 201.

3

ENG 336 Early Modern English Literature

Major literary works of the late fifteenth through early seventeenth centuries in England (excluding Shakespeare), with social, philosophical, religious, economic and political backgrounds. Prerequisites: ENG 101 or 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201 with a grade of C or better.

3

ENG 339 Victorian Literature and Thought

Social, economic, industrial, philosophical, and religious ideas as expressed in the literature of the nineteenth century. Prerequisites: ENG 101 or 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201 with a grade of C or better.

3

ENG 340 Modern British Literature

Selected works in British literature since the 1920s, including poetry, fiction, drama, and general prose.

3

ENG 351 American Literature: Colonial and Early National Periods

The various literary genres from the formative years of America.

3

ENG 352 American Literature: Romantic Period

Major American literary movements and major authors of the first half of the nineteenth century. Prerequisites: ENG 101 or 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201 with a grade of C or better.

3

ENG 353 American Literature: Realistic Period

Significant trends in later nineteenth-century and early twentieth- century American literature; local colorists, major Realists, early Naturalists. Prerequisite: ENG 201 with a grade of C or better. Recommended: ENG 134 or 234.

3

ENG 354 American Literature: Modern Period

Major literary movements and authors from the early twentieth century to WWII. Special emphasis on literary modernism. Prerequisites: ENG 201 with a grade of C or better; and ENG 134 or 234.

3

ENG 362 Literature of the Medieval World

The study of epic tradition during the medieval period and the rise of the romance. Prerequisites: ENG 201 with a grade of C or better. Recommended: ENG 134 or ENG 234.

3

ENG 455 The American Novel

The development of the novel as seen in the works of representative authors. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099, or ELI 198; Grade of "C" or better in ENG 201; ENG 134 or 234.

(3 hours)

Required Courses II

One course from:

3

ENG 334 Literary and Cultural Theory

Study of historical and contemporary theories of literature and culture with attention to theoretical issues as well as application to literary, cultural, and other theoretical texts. (University Program Group I-B). Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099 or ELI 198.

3

ENG 345 Studies in Authors

Intensive reading of one, two or three authors investigating the way a body of work develops and reflects the author's interests, concerns, and changing literary skills. Prerequisite: ENG 234.

3

ENG 435 Studies in Texts

Intensive reading of one, two or three major literary works in English, with historical and critical backgrounds and biographical and creative contexts. Prerequisite: ENG 234.

(12 hours)

Required Courses III

Select from the following:

3

ENG 261 Masterpieces of Ancient Literature

Major world literature to the medieval period including Greek and Roman works. (University Program Group I-A)

3

ENG 262 Masterpieces of European Literature

Significant works of medieval and modern periods. (University Program Group I-A)

3

ENG 330 Mythological Backgrounds of Western Literature

The origins and development of mythic patterns with major emphasis on the adaptation and interpretation of classical and Northern myths to literary usage. (University Program Group I-A)

3

ENG 332 Contemporary Literature and Thought

Readings in contemporary (post-World War II) literary genres relative to contemporary thought. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099, or ELI 198; Grade of "C" or better in ENG 201.

3

ENG 333 Literatures of Non-Western Cultures

Introduction to literatures of non-Western cultures, such as African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Aboriginal, Caribbean, or Latin American. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in ENG 101, ENG 103/099 or ELI 198, Grade of "C" or better in ENG 201.

3

ENG 365 The Bible as Literature

A study of the content and literary forms of Biblical literature.

3

ENG 561 European Romanticism

Comparative exploration of the Romantic movement in literature and philosophy with special attention to Germany and France. Prerequisite: Graduate status or ENG 101 or 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; ENG 201 with a grade of C or better; either ENG 134 or ENG 234. Recommended: 6 hrs of literature courses.

3-9

ENG 569 Seminar in Major World Writers

A study of one or more writers, selected by the instructor, from various regions of the world. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credit hours. Prerequisites: Graduate status or the following: ENG 101 or 103/099 or ELI 198 with a grade of C or better; Eng 201 with a grade of C or better; ENG 134 or ENG 234. Recommended: 6-9 hours of ENG 300 and/or ENG 400 level courses.