The Department of English, General Literature and Rhetoric provides students the opportunity to study literature and language in their many manifestations. In addition to an English Literature Major, the department offers concentrations in global culture, creative writing and rhetoric. Literature courses provide undergraduates with a foundation in literary history as well as an opportunity to explore a variety of genres, while fostering critical reading and research skills; courses in globalization and culture explore cultural and literary responses to the emergence of global culture and the questions raised by this process; creative writing courses hone students' writing abilities and develop their unique voices; rhetoric courses deal with both the theory and practice of communication, as well as the history of oral and written argument.
Majors in English choose one of the concentrations listed below, which require either five core courses in literary history and theory or six core courses in theories and practices of global literary and cultural production. All versions of the major require 10 courses total. The basic major in English, with its five electives, allows students to design their majors around their own interests (literature of past or present, language, folklore, American culture or cultural studies or writing). The major in English with a concentration in global culture includes four electives, as well as courses that explore the Anglo-American imperial tradition and the cultural productions of marginalized peoples. The major in English with a concentration in rhetoric provides a structured set of courses related to rhetorical theory and practice; students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core. The major in English with a concentration in creative writing provides a sequence of courses in the arts of poetry and fiction; students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core.
No more than five courses may be transferred for credit toward the major from programs at other colleges or universities. Students will receive credit toward the major for courses offered by our department and for courses we cross-list (offered by other departments). Students will also receive credit toward the major for courses offered through our London program.
Courses taken under the Pass/Fail grading option do not count toward the major, except those for which Pass/Fail is the only grading option. Students must receive a grade of C minus or better on courses to fulfill requirements for the major.
Harpur College Requirements
Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:
- 126 credits
- 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
- Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
- Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (four to five courses as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses may be transferred).
- Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
- 2.0 or higher GPA
Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.
Major in English
Students take five core courses and five electives in literature, rhetoric, folklore and/or creative writing, focusing their curricula in ways they choose. Students should consult their advisors for help in planning their course selections.
Independent Study (497) students who wish to count an independent study toward the major must have approval from the department before enrolling in ENG 497. Application forms for independent study credit are available in the department office.
| Required Courses | Number of Courses |
| Students are required to take at least six courses at the 300 level or above (24 credits) | |
| One course in British literature to 1660 | 1 |
| One course in British literature after 1660 | 1 |
| One course on Shakespeare | 1 |
| One course in American literature | 1 |
| One Theory-oriented course | 1 |
| One course in literature, rhetoric or creative writing at the 200-level or above | 1 |
| One course in British or American Literature at the 200-level or above | 1 |
| One 200-level or above course in Global Literature and Culture | 1 |
| One 300-level or above course in English, Creative Writing, Rhetoric, or Honors Thesis | 1 |
|
One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Senior Seminar [Note: °®¶¹´«Ã½ will require all students to complete a basic communications course at the 400-level to fulfill this requirement in order to be in compliance with the SUNY Transfer Path in English.] |
1 |
|
Total |
10 |
Concentration in Global Culture
In the global culture concentration, students study literature and film in a global setting, gaining a rich sense of the vibrant and diverse world that we inhabit. Courses in the concentration provide an opportunity for learning cross-cultural communication while thinking about timely questions of race, gender, sexuality and class from transnational and historical perspectives. The concentration prepares students to navigate national, regional and global issues in an increasingly interdependent and complex world, developing proficiencies in reading and writing across cultural, linguistic, religious and political contexts.
| Required Courses | Number of Courses |
| Students are required to take at least six courses at the 300 level or above (24 credits) | |
|
Choose one course from two of the categories:
|
2 |
| One course in literary theory and criticism | 1 |
| One course in globalization and literary culture | 1 |
| One course in contesting national narratives | 1 |
| One course in global literature, media, and culture | 1 |
| One 200-level or above course in literature, rhetoric or creative writing | 1 |
| Two 300-level or above courses in English, Creative Writing, Rhetoric, or Honors Thesis | 2 |
| One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Seminar | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Concentration in Creative Writing
Students in the Creative Writing program at °®¶¹´«Ã½ learn critical thinking and reading in a creative context. For students who are strong writers and interested in writing fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, the chance to be part of a community of writers while working with our internationally recognized faculty is not just an opportunity to prepare for a career — the ability to think critically and communicate well cuts across almost all jobs, and our graduates have gone on to work in almost any field you can think of — but also to understand how their own voice fits within the vital continuum of literature.
CW 250 is open to any student with an interest in creative writing. The intermediate (350) and advanced (450) workshops are open only to English majors with a concentration in creative writing. CW 350 is open only to any CW major who has taken CW 250. CW 450 is open only to any CW major who has taken CW 250 and 350.
Workshops vary in focus each semester and may be repeated, but students may take no more than one workshop per semester.
| Required Coures | Number of Courses |
| Students are required to take at least six courses at the 300 level or above (24 credits) | |
| One course in British literature to 1660 | 1 |
| One course in British literature after 1660 | 1 |
| One course on Shakespeare | 1 |
| One course in American literature | 1 |
| One Theory-oriented course | 1 |
| CW 250 Fundamentals of Creative Writing | 1 |
| CW 350 Intermediate Creative Writing | 1 |
| CW 450 Advanced Creative Writing | 1 |
| One additional advanced Creative Writing, English, Rhetoric course, or Honors Thesis | 1 |
| One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Seminar | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Concentration in Creative Writing and Global Culture
| Required Courses | Number of Courses |
| Students are required to take at least six courses at the 300 level or above (24 credits) | |
|
Choose one course from two of the categories:
|
2 |
| One course in literary theory and criticism | 1 |
| One course in globalization and literary culture | 1 |
| One course in contesting national narratives | 1 |
| One course in global literature, media, and culture | 1 |
| CW 250 Fundamentals Creative Writing | 1 |
| CW 350 Intermediate Creative Writing | 1 |
| CW 450 Advanced Creative Writing | 1 |
| One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Seminar | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
*Students interested in the honors program may substitute these requirements for Honors Seminar or Honors Thesis
Concentration in Rhetoric
In the rhetoric concentration, students gain familiarity with diverse rhetorical works and traditions, focusing both on how persuasive speech and writing have been theorized and taught in different times and places and on developing their own skills in written and oral communication. The practice of writing is embedded in a range of historical and cultural contexts, and courses provide opportunities for exploring and gaining proficiency in composition across a variety of genres, including creative nonfiction, journalism, argumentation, policy debate, sports writing, research writing and the personal essay. In the process of studying and practicing these genres, students also assess how such factors as identity, power and viewpoint or prejudice shape the nature, scope and impact of language in different settings.
RHET 240 Introduction to Journalism, is open to all English majors with an interest in journalism. RHET 440s advanced courses in journalism are especially recommended for students who wish to acquire expertise in this field.
| Required Courses | Number of Courses |
| Students are required to take at least six courses at the 300 level or above (24 credits) | |
| One course in British literature to 166 | 1 |
| One course in British literature after 1660 | 1 |
| One course on Shakespeare | 1 |
| One course in American literature | 1 |
| One Theory-oriented course | 1 |
| One rhetorical foundations course | 1 |
| One rhetorical skills course | 1 |
| One advanced rhetorical theory course | 1 |
| One advanced rhetoric or English course | 1 |
| One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Thesis | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Concentration in Rhetoric and Global Culture
| Required Courses | Number of Courses |
| Students are required to take at least six courses at the 300 level or above (24 credits) | |
|
Choose one course from two of the categories:
|
2 |
| One course in literary theory and criticism | 1 |
| One course in globalization and literary culture | 1 |
| One course in contesting national narratives | 1 |
| One course in global literature, media and culture | 1 |
| One rhetorical foundations course* | 1 |
| One rhetorical skills course | 1 |
|
One upper-level Rhetorical Theory course such as:
|
1 |
| One 400-level Senior Seminar in Rhetorical Theory* | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
*Students interested in the honors program may substitute these requirements for Honors Seminar or Honors Thesis
General English Minor
The general English minor encourages students to supplement their majors in other disciplines with a meaningful set of English courses, including three required courses and three electives. Students can choose a program of study that fits their needs and interests, with input from departmental advisors.
Requirements:
- Three of the following six courses:
- ENG 310, Introduction to Theory/ Criticism
- ENG 320. Globalization and Literary Culture
- ENG 327 or 328, British Literature I or II
- ENG 345, Shakespeare
- ENG 372, American Literature
- Three electives, at least one of which should be at the 300- or 400-level
Limitations:
Internship (RHET 495) cannot count toward the minor.
Intermediate and advanced creative writing workshops (CW 350 and 450), limited by enrollment constraints, cannot count toward the minor.
Students must receive a minimum of a C- grade in order for a course to fulfill requirements for the minor, and no courses taken under the Pass/Fail option may be credited toward the minor
Semester-in-London Program
In the spring semester, the department offers an academic program in London integrating courses in literature, theater, history and art with tours, trips and theater attendance. Courses fulfill requirements for the English major, though program participation is not limited to English majors. Internships in which students gain career experience working in a British enterprise are also available. Detailed information for the London program may be obtained in the department office. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.
Honors Program
The honors program in English consists of two courses taken in the student’s senior year: ENG 498 Honors Seminar; and ENG (RHET) 499 Honors Thesis (CW 499 Honors Portfolio). The designation of honors in English is awarded to students who receive at least a B+ grade in the Honors Seminar and at least an A– in the Honors Thesis or Portfolio.
Admission to the honors program is by invitation, limited to about 20 students per year, with preference given to students who have completed substantial coursework at °®¶¹´«Ã½ with the highest grade point average. The program director may solicit a sample of the student’s written work in an English course and other information.