Course Catalog

English

Faculty

Mary Stark (chair), Valerie Billing, Lance Dyzak, Kate Nesbit

Statement of philosophy

The English program enriches academic quality at Central College through traditional literary studies and innovative teaching and research across disciplines. We foster close reading, critical thinking, strong writing, and intellectual and artistic creativity in all of our courses. In English courses at Central College, students explore the self, learn about others, and seek social change–while also developing a diverse and practical skill set applicable to a wide range of careers.

Here at Central, we offer a distinctive approach to the study and craft of literature, an approach informed by four overarching commitments:

We believe in civic engagement in global and local contexts. Our classes develop strong commitments to sustainability, social justice, and service-learning.
Second, we believe the study of literature and creative writing produces agile professionals. Central College graduates in English have thrived in fields as diverse as journalism, architecture, business management, education, law, medicine, public administration, and library science.
Third, we are committed to deepening intercultural and international learning, through courses that cover a broad range of geographical and cultural territories. We prioritize global and postcolonial literature, as well as literatures from minoritized communities in the US.
Finally, we see literature as the nexus of interdisciplinary learning. We explore connections between literature, science, aesthetics, history, gender studies, and cultural studies. Also, through supporting Central College’s Core Curriculum, the English program supports students across the college as they seek to become strong critical thinkers, thoughtful readers, and compelling writers.

Major Communication Skills

The English program guarantees personal and thoughtful mentorship of student writing both in the classroom and in a distinctive portfolio review process. When students declare their intent to major in English, the department requests a portfolio of at least three papers that demonstrate critical reading and mastery of style. Majors must submit a second portfolio of at least five papers in their senior year for the final portfolio review. English faculty meet as a department to discuss portfolios and return detailed feedback to each student on strengths and areas for improvement in his or her writing. The combination of individual attention from professors and the collective opinion of the English faculty on student writing helps our majors understand their writing process and grow increasingly more reflective about the ways they might continue to improve.

English Major Requirements (40 credit minimum)

1. Take all of the following required courses:
ENGL 160 The Literary Imagination (4)
Or an additional survey course or course from genre and issue studies (3-4)
ENGL 180 The Reader’s Toolbox (3)
ENGL 346 Discovering Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 425 Seminar in Literary Studies (4)

2. Take two of the following surveys in British and American Literature:
ENGL 236 The American Experiment, Origins-1890 (3)
ENGL 237 The American Experiment, 1890- Present (3)
ENGL 251 Monsters and Monstrosity in English Literature, 800-1785 (3)
ENGL 252 The Haunted House of British Literature, 1785- Present (3)

3. Take six of the following courses, at least 2 at the 300-level:
ENGL 140 Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
ENGL 212 Caribbean Literature (3)
ENGL 213 Literature, Environment, and Ecology (3)
ENGL 214 Literature by Women (4)
ENGL 215 African-American Literature (4)
ENGL 216 LGBTQ+ Literature and Culture (3)
ENGL 217 Literature and Film of the Middle East (4)
ENGL 240 The Personal Essay (4)
ENGL 241 Short Story Writing (4)
ENGL 243 Writing Oral Histories (4)
ENGL 246 Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)
ENGL 270 Illness and Health in Literature (4)
ENGL 361 World Literature (4)
ENGL 378 Literary Topics (4)

English Major with Additional Emphasis in Writing (53 credit minimum)

Note: Students must meet with the writing minor/writing emphasis coordinator to declare their intention to major in English with Writing Emphasis no later than the end of their third year.

1. Complete all requirements for the English major listed above (40 credits)

2. Complete three of the following (in addition to those taken for the English major):
ANTH 375 Ethnographic Writing (4)
ENGL 140 Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
ENGL 240 The Personal Essay (4)
ENGL 241 Short Story Writing (4)
ENGL 243 Writing Oral Histories (4)
ENGL 244 Professional Writing (3)
ENGL 246 Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)

3. Complete ENGL 497 Internship in Writing (3)

English Minor Requirements (19 credit minimum)

1. Take one of the following historical surveys:
ENGL 236 The American Experiment, Origins- 1890 (3)
ENGL 237 The American Experiment, 1890- Present (3)
ENGL 251 Monsters and Monstrosity in English Literature, 800-1785 (3)
ENGL 252 The Haunted House of British Literature, 1785- Present (3)

2. Take four of the following electives, at least one at the 300-level:
ENGL 140 Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
ENGL 160 The Literary Imagination (4)
ENGL 180 The Reader’s Toolbox (3)
ENGL 212 Caribbean Literature (3)
ENGL 213 Literature, Environment, and Ecology (3)
ENGL 214 Literature by Women (4)
ENGL 215 African-American Literature (4)
ENGL 216 LGBTQ+ Literature and Culture (3)
ENGL 217 Literature and Film of the Middle East (4)
ENGL 240 The Personal Essay (4)
ENGL 241 Short Story Writing (4)
ENGL 243 Writing Oral Histories (4)
ENGL 246 Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)
ENGL 270 Illness and Health in Literature (4)
ENGL 361 World Literature (4)
ENGL 378 Literary Topics (4)

3. Take one of the following:
ENGL 346 Discovering Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 425 Seminar in Literary Studies (4)

Note: Students seeking teaching licensure should consult with the Education Department regarding additional required courses.

English Minor Requirements (19 credit minimum)

3. Take one of the following:
ENGL 346 Discovering Shakespeare (3)
ENGL 425 Seminar in Literary Studies (4)

Note: Students seeking teaching licensure should consult with the Education Department regarding additional required courses.

Writing Minor Requirements (17 credit minimum)

1. Complete five of the following:
ENGL 240 The Personal Essay (4)
ENGL 241 Short Story Writing (4)
ENGL 243 Writing Oral Histories (4)
ENGL 244 Professional Writing (3)
ENGL 246 Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)
ENGL 497 Internship in Writing (3)

English courses for licensure in secondary education

Take all of the following:
ENGL 222 Literature for Young Adults (1)
ENGL 320 Teaching Writing (2)
EDUC 231 Teaching English Language Learners (3)
EDUC 451 Secondary Special Methods (1)
COMM 160 Communication in Everyday Life (3)
Plus 12 credits of Secondary Student Teaching

The English department will not recommend for teacher licensure students whose grade average within their English courses is below 3.00. The department has advised the teacher education committee that such students should be denied admission to or be dropped from the certification process until grades in English have been brought up to 3.00.

Please check with the education department for any other specific requirements.

Course Catalog