English, Bachelor of Arts

The major in English teaches students to better understand and write about the worlds in which they live. Students in the major gain skills in critical thinking, writing cleanly and provocatively, and communicating in a variety of professional settings.

Students majoring in English have three concentration options.   

Students who concentrate in Literary Studies will read works that are 2000 years old and works published just last year. They will read the most important texts in the literary canon and works that challenge those same texts—and will learn to do the same thing themselves. Students learn to read critically and think for themselves; to write smartly and ably; and to communicate in any situation. The concentration prepares students for careers in teaching (including in secondary and higher education), communications and writing, public service, and other jobs that require analytical ability.           

The concentration in Creative Writing is for students who have an interest in developing their talent as novelists, short fiction or creative nonfiction writers, poets and dramatists. It also emphasizes general and technical writing skills, preparing students for lives as working writers. By the end of the program, students will have completed multiple manuscripts and learned the process for submitting their work for publication. The program’s emphasis on general writing skills and career preparedness also ensures that students will be ready to enter the world of work, whether in publishing, freelance writing, or numerous other writing-related fields.           

The undergraduate concentration in Media Writing is designed for students who seek a career creating media content. This degree will prepare students to write professional content in a wide variety of styles, genres, and forms, including writing for newspapers, magazines, social media, public relations, and corporate communications. By the end of the program, students will understand the conventions and applications of these different genres and styles, be well-versed in varying forms of professional writing, understand the differences between appropriate print and online media forms, and demonstrate technical proficiency as writers.

Secondary certification in English is also available for students aspiring to teach middle or high school English.

All Wilson graduates, regardless of major, complete an assessment of learning outcomes in their major. As English majors, you will complete your assessment in a classroom with your peers.

Concentration in Literary Studies

Required Courses

ENG 346	Shakespeare's Romances and Tragedies	3
	OR
ENG 345	Shakespeare's Histories and Comedies	3
ENG 240	The English Language	3
ENG 380	Literary and Cultural Interpretation	3
ENG 400	Assessment Portfolio in Literary Studies	1

Students must also select eight additional literature courses (24 semester hours) in English. Of these courses, at least three must be taken at the 300 level and one must be in each of the following areas:

• British literature
• American literature
• European literature
• literature written before 1700
• literature written after 1900

A student may choose ENG 220 Creative Writing as one of the eight courses, provided that the above criteria are met.  Students may count one 100-level course above the Foundations/EAP level towards the completion of the major.

Concentration in Creative Writing

Required Courses

ENG 201	Media Writing	3
ENG 210	Advanced Exposition	3
ENG 220	Creative Writing	3
ENG 240	The English Language	3
ENG 346	Shakespeare's Romances and Tragedies	3
	OR
ENG 345	Shakespeare's Histories and Comedies	3
	Two of the following:
ENG 321	Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry	3
ENG 323	Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction	3
ENG 325	Creative Non-Fiction/Literary Journalism	3
ENG 499	Project in Creative Writing	3

The student will also take three additional courses from the offerings in English.  At least one of the three courses must be at the 300-level. Students may count one 100-level course above the Foundations/EAP level towards the completion of the major.

 

 

Concentration in Media Writing

Required Courses

ENG 201	Media Writing	3
ENG 308	Practicum: News and Feature Writing	3
ENG 309	Practicum: Social Media and Web Content	3
COM 130	Digital Communications & Design	3
COM 233	Integrated Marketing and Advertising	3
COM 303	Media Law and Ethics	3
ENG 355	Internship	3

Students complete their major by selecting a field of specialization with their academic advisor. To complete the specialization field, students must complete at least a minor in that subject area, though students may also complete the major to earn a double major.

Common fields of specialization fields include:

• Sports Journalism
• Photojournalism
• Health Media
• Science Media/Journalism
• Equine Journalism
• Animal Journalism

Students who wish to complete the concentration by earning a major directly in Media Writing are required to complete the following:

• ENG 210 Advanced Exposition
• ENG 325 Advanced Creative Writing: Literary Journalism

• COM 105 Introduction to Media Communications   
• COM 232 Multimedia Communications and Design or COM 332 Web Communications and Design

• Plus one additional class in Writing at the 200-level or higher

Concentration in Media Writing: Fields of Specialization

Sports Journalism

Sports Journalism focuses on writing and communication related to athletic events and competitions. Students in this specialization may work for newspapers or magazines, internet sites, or athletic or event organizations as communications specialists. Students interested in pursuing a focus in Sports Journalism should complete a minor in Athletic Coaching or Sports Management or double major in Sports Management.

Photojournalism

Photojournalists use images to tell a story. They document important events of the day, sometimes in difficult situations. Students in this specialization may work for newspapers or magazines or internet sites that emphasize strong imagery. Photojournalists often work as freelancers as well. Students interested in pursuing a focus in Photojournalism should complete a double major in Art and Design or a minor in Studio Art.

Health Media

Health Media focuses on the communications that are a vital part of the expansive healthcare industry. This can include public relations and corporate communications. Health Media specialists often work for healthcare companies or media companies that report on the healthcare industry frequently. Students interested in pursuing a focus in Health Media should complete a double major in Nursing or Health Sciences or a minor in a Health Science field.

Science Media/Journalism

Science Media/Journalism focuses on writing and communication related to the sciences, broadly speaking. Students in this specialization may work for companies pursuing scientific research in industry communications or for newspapers, magazines and internet sites that report on the sciences. Students interested in pursuing a focus in Science Media/Journalism should complete a double major / minor in Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Psychology, or Environmental Studies.

Equine Journalism

Equine Journalism focuses on writing and communication related to the animal industries, broadly speaking. Students in this specialization may work for magazines and internet sites that report on equestrian or animal-related fields. Wilson has a long tradition of students completing our program in Equine Journalism, and we have graduates working at equestrian magazines and publications across the country, as well as in the equestrian industry. Students interested in pursuing Equine Journalism should complete a double major/minor in any of our equestrian fields, including Equestrian Teaching, Equestrian Training, Equine Management, and Equine Facilitated Therapeutics.

Design Your Own Specialization

Do you have another kind of media writing specialization in mind? Our program is designed to allow the student to create her/his own major. For more information, please contact the English program.

Concentration in Literary Studies for Secondary Education

The concentration in English Secondary Education is designed for students who wish to teach English in the high school setting. The concentration emphasizes breadth of learning and preparation for being in the classroom. Students will complete their program with student teaching and a certification that will allow them to teach in almost every state in the union.

 

Required Courses

ENG 210	Advanced Exposition	3
ENG 224	Young Adult Literature	3
ENG 230	Film Analysis and History	3
	OR
ENG 335	Film Genres and Genders	3
ENG 345	Shakespeare's Histories and Comedies	3
	OR
ENG 346	Shakespeare's Romances and Tragedies	3
ENG 240	The English Language	3
COM 110	Effective Speaking	3
COM 105	Intro to Media Studies	3
	OR
COM210	Women in the Media	3
PSY 110	Introduction to Psychology	3
EDU 204	Child Development, Cognition & Learning	3
EDU 206	Educational Psychology	3
EDU 215	Education - Students W/Special Needs	3
EDU 312	Teaching English Learners	3
EDU 332	Secondary Methods in Content	3
EDU 341	Educational Assessment	3
EDU 348	Pre-Practicum	3
EDU 431	Sec English Student Teaching Practicum	12
	One mathematics course
	One statistics course

18 semester hours of English electives: Must include a minimum of four courses in literature: two in American, one in British, and one in European translation. Two of the electives may be writing courses. At least two electives must be at the 300-level. Students may count one 100-level course above the Foundations/EAP level towards the completion of the major.