English

English Language and Literature (ENG)

For information, please contact
Stephen C. Holder, Chairperson, 774-3171, 215 Anspach Hall.

Department Website

Why Study English?
English Language and Literature at CMU
English Major - B.S. in Ed., Elementary
English Minor - B.S. in Ed., Elementary
English Major - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
English Minor - B.S. in Ed., Secondary
English Major - B.A. and B.S.
Creative Writing Concentration
World Literature Concentration
English Minor - B.A., B.A.A., B.F.A., B.S., and B.S. in B.A.
English as a Second Language Minor
The Faculty
ENG Course Descriptions

Why Study English?
The study of English affords students the opportunity to master the crucial, interrelated skills of thinking, reading, and writing through the immersion in the manifold products of language. Courses in linguistics and composition teach the skills necessary for the understanding and effective use of language. Courses in literature aid students in absorbing the full range of literary thought and art, thereby rendering them better able to understand themselves and their world. Courses in the art of teaching enable English majors or minors to transmit effectively the acquired legacy of their education to future generations.

English Language and Literature at CMU
The English Department offers two basic programs: liberal arts and teaching. Within each of these broad programs there are still additional choices, including, for example, the World Literature or Creative Writing concentration or an emphasis on secondary or elementary English education. Each program requires between thirty-nine and forty-two hours for a major and twenty-four hours for a minor, depending on the choice and emphasis.

Students who elect to major or minor in English should declare this intention before the end of their sophomore year. Junior transfer students should declare during their first semester on campus. The departmental office assigns advisors to aid students in their major/minor program planning and to authorize programs for graduation and teacher preparation.

Notes:
The English Department cannot guarantee that every course will be offered as designated.

The department strongly recommends that all majors take a foreign language as a cognate.

The English Language Institute offers a series of courses to assist students whose native language is not English to acquire the level of proficiency adequate for success in academic study. Because TOEFL scores are not always a reliable predictor of proficiency in English for academic tasks, the Institute gives new non-native speakers of English a placement test to determine their actual proficiency. On the basis of their placement scores, undergraduate students (1) will be required to enroll in ENG 198-199, American Language for International Students (or equivalent courses such as ENG 101 or ENG 103-099), successful completion of which demonstrates competence in basic writing or speech or both, and may pursue their academic program with no restriction; or (2) must enroll in the Institute full-time or part-time, depending upon their level of proficiency. In any case, all students enrolled in the Institute, before they pursue their studies full-time, must be certified by the Institute as having attained proficiency in academic English.
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Majors and Minors

General statements that apply to English majors and minors:
A. 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.
B. The department supports the concept of advanced placement as well as exemption from required courses and credit earned through approved university examination programs.
C. ENG 070 to ENG 100, ENG 101, ENG 198, ENG 199, ENG 103/099 and ENG 201 do not apply on a major or minor.
D. 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.

English Major
B.S. in Ed. degree, Elementary Emphasis
See all general statements above.

Required Courses (27 hours):
A. Core Courses (9 hours)
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis
ENG 460 (3) Senior Seminar: Current Issues in English

B. Literature (12 hours)
ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial - Romantic Period OR
ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period - Present
ENG 330 (3) Mythological Backgrounds of Western Literature
ENG 381 (3) Children's Literature
ENG 481 (3) International Literature for Children and Young Adults OR ENG 582 (3) Cultural Pluralism in Young Adult and Children’s Literature

C. Professional Courses (6 hours)
ENG 315 (4) Teaching Writing in the Elementary School
ENG 371 (2) Pedagogic Grammar

English Elective Courses (12 hours):
A. Restricted Electives (9 hours)
Choose one course from each group:

Group I
ENG 482 (3) Fantasy for Youth
ENG 580 (3) Literature for Young Adults
ENG 581 (3) The History of Children's Literature
ENG 583 (3) The Heroic Tradition in Children's Literature

Group II
ENG 122 (3) Introduction to Poetry
ENG 294 (3) Introduction to Creative Writing
ENG 385 (3) Poetry for Children and Young Adults

Group III
ENG 324 (3) Popular Culture
ENG 326 (3) Literary Dimensions of Film
ENG 327 (3) Women Writers
ENG 328 (3) Literature of the North American Indian
ENG 329 (3) African American Literature
ENG 333 (3) Literature of Non-Western Cultures
ENG 481 (3) International Literature for Children and Young Adults (unless selected under I.B. above) OR
ENG 582 (3) Cultural Pluralism in Young Adult and Children's Literature (unless selected under I.B. above)

B. Unrestricted English Electives (3 hours)

Total: 39 semester hours
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English Minor
B.S. in Ed. degree, Elementary and Elementary Special Education Emphases
See all general statements above.

Required Courses (19 hours):
A. Core Courses (6 hours)
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis

B. Literature (9 hours)
ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial-Romantic Period OR
ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period - Present
ENG 381 (3) Children's Literature
ENG 481 (3) International Literature for Children and Young Adults OR ENG 582 (3) Cultural Pluralism in Young Adult and Children's Literature

C. Professional courses (4 hours)
ENG 315 (4) Teaching Writing in the Elementary School

English Elective Courses (6 hours):
A. Restricted Electives (3 hours)
Choose one course from the group below.
ENG 385 (3) Poetry for Children and Young Adults
ENG 482 (3) Fantasy for Youth
ENG 581 (3) The History of Children's Literature
ENG 583 (3) The Heroic Tradition in Children's Literature
ENG 481 (3) International Literature for Children and Young Adults (unless selected under I.B. above)
ENG 582 (3) Cultural Pluralism in Young Adult and Children's Literature (unless selected under I.B. above)

B. Unrestricted English Electives (3 hours)

Total: 25 semester hours
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English Major
B.S. in Ed. degree, Secondary and Secondary Special Education Emphases
See all general statements above.

Required Courses (39 hours):
A. Core Courses (9 hours)
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis
ENG 460 (3) Senior Seminar: Current Issues in English

B. Literature (21 hours chosen as follows: 6 hours from I, 3 hours from II, 3 hours from III and 9 hours from IV)
I. ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial-Romantic Period OR
ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period - Present
AND one course from
ENG 235 (3) English Literature: Beginning to Romantic Period
ENG 236 (3) English Literature: Romantic Period to Present
ENG 261 (3) Masterpieces in Ancient Literature
ENG 262 (3) Masterpieces in European Literature

II. One course from:
ENG 321 (3) Modern Poetry
ENG 339 (3) Victorian Literature and Thought
ENG 340 (3) Modern British Literature
ENG 351(3) American Literature: Colonial and Early Nat'l. Periods
ENG 352 (3) American Literature: Romantic Period
ENG 353 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period
ENG 354 (3) American Literature: Modern Period
ENG 362 (3) Literature of the Medieval World
ENG 439 (3) English Romantic Poetry and Prose
ENG 441 (3) Contemporary English Prose
ENG 454 (3) Contemporary American Prose
ENG 455 (3) American Novel
ENG 561 (3) European Romanticism

III. One course from:
ENG 328 (3) Literature of the North American Indian
ENG 329 (3) African American Literature
ENG 333 (3) Literature of Non-Western Cultures

IV. ENG 349 (3) Shakespeare
ENG 580 (3) Literature for Young Adults
AND one course from:
ENG 334 (3) Literary Theory
ENG 345 (3) Studies in Authors
ENG 435 (3) Studies in Texts

C. Professional Courses (9 hours):
ENG 311 (3) Teaching Literature in the Secondary School
ENG 319 (4) Teaching Composition in the Secondary School
ENG 371 (2) Pedagogic Grammar

Elective English Courses (3 hours):

Total: 42 semester hours
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English Minor
B.S. in Ed. degree, Secondary and Secondary Special Education Emphases
See all general statements above.

Required Courses (23-24 hours):
A. Core Courses (6 hours)
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis

B. Literature: (12 hours)
I. ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial Through the Romantic Period OR
ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period to the Present

II. AND one course selected from:
ENG 235 (3) English Literature: Beginning to Romantic Period
ENG 236 (3) English Literature: Romantic Period to Present
ENG 261 (3) Masterpieces of Ancient Literature
ENG 262 (3) Masterpieces of European Literature

III. ENG 349 (3) Shakespeare
ENG 580 (3) Literature for Young Adults

C. Professional Courses (5-6 hours)
ENG 311 (3) Teaching Literature in the Secondary School OR
ENG 319 (4) Teaching Composition in the Secondary School
ENG 371 (2) Pedagogic Grammar

Elective English Courses (3 hours)

Total: 26-27 semester hours
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English Major
B.A. and B.S. Degrees
See general statements A, B, and C above.

Required Courses (27 hours):
A. Core Courses (9 hours):
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis
ENG 460 (3) Senior Seminar: Current Issues in English
AND one course from:
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 271 (3) Modern Grammar
ENG 375 (3) Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 379 (3) History and Development of the English Language
ENG 545 (3) Chaucer
ENG 570 (3) Old English

B. Literature (18 hours):
I. ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial - Romantic Period OR
ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period - Present
ENG 235 (3) English Literature: Beginning to Romantic Period OR
ENG 236 (3) English Literature: Romantic Period to Present
ENG 261 (3) Masterpieces in Ancient Literature OR
ENG 262 (3) Masterpieces in European Literature

II. ENG 349 (3) Shakespeare

III. One course from:
ENG 321 (3) Modern Poetry
ENG 332 (3) Contemporary Literature and Thought
ENG 339 (3) Victorian Literature and Thought
ENG 340 (3) Modern British Literature
ENG 351 (3) American Literature: Colonial and Early National Period
ENG 352 (3) American Literature: Romantic Period
ENG 353 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period
ENG 354 (3) American Literature: Modern Period
ENG 362 (3) Literature of the Medieval World
ENG 439 (3) English Romantic Poetry and Prose
ENG 441 (3) Contemporary English Prose
ENG 454 (3) Contemporary American Prose
ENG 455 (3) American Novel
ENG 561 (3) European Romanticism

IV. One course from:
ENG 334 (3) Literary Theory
ENG 345 (3) Studies in Authors
ENG 435 (3) Studies in Texts
One of the courses chosen from I., III., IV., or the linguistics courses in A. must cover a literary period prior to 1800.

Elective English Courses (12 hours)

Total: 39 semester hours
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Creative Writing Concentration

Required Courses (27 hours):
A. Core Courses (9 hours)
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis
ENG 460 (3) Senior Seminar: Current Issues in English
AND one course chosen from:
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 271 (3) Modern Grammar
ENG 375 (3) Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 379 (3) History and Development of the English Language
ENG 545 (3) Chaucer
ENG 570 (3) Old English

B. Literature (18 hours)
I. ENG 235 (3) English Literature OR
ENG 236 (3) English Literature
ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial Through Romantic Period OR ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period to the Present
ENG 261 (3) Masterpieces of Ancient Literature OR
ENG 262 (3) Masterpieces of European Literature

II. ENG 349 (3) Shakespeare

III. One course chosen from:
ENG 331 (3) Modern Poetry
ENG 332 (3) Contemporary Literature and Thought
ENG 339 (3) Victorian Literature and Thought
ENG 340 (3) Modern British Literature
ENG 351 (3) American Literature: Colonial and Early National Periods
ENG 352 (3) American Literature: Romantic Period
ENG 353 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period
ENG 354 (3) American Literature: Modern Period
ENG 362 (3) Literature of the Medieval World
ENG 455 (3) American Novel

IV. One course chosen from:
ENG 345 (3) Studies in Authors OR
ENG 435 (3) Studies in Text
One of the courses chosen from I., III., IV., or the linguistics courses in A. must cover a literary period prior to 1800.

Creative Writing Core (12 hours)
ENG 294 (3) Introduction to Creative Writing
Students may focus in poetry, prose, or both by selecting 9 hours from among the following (9 hours):
ENG 391 (3) Creative Writing: Fiction
ENG 392 (3) Creative Writing: Poetry
ENG 491 (3-6) Advanced Fiction Writing OR
ENG 492 (3-6) Advanced Poetry Writing
All creative writing courses have prerequisites
Either ENG 491 or ENG 492 may be repeated up to six hours with the same instructor.

Total: 39 semester hours.
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World Literature Concentration

Required Courses (27 hours):
A. Core Courses (9 hours)
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis
ENG 460 (3) Senior Seminar: Current Issues in English
AND One course chosen from:
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 271 (3) Modern Grammar
ENG 375 (3) Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 379 (3) History and Development of the English Language
ENG 545 (3) Chaucer
ENG 570 (3) Old English

B. Literature (18 hours)
I. ENG 235 (3) English Literature: Beginning to Romantic Period OR
ENG 236 (3) English Literature: Romantic Period to Present
ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial Through Romantic Period OR ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period to the Present
ENG 261 (3) Masterpieces of Ancient Literature OR
ENG 262 (3) Masterpieces of European Literature

II. ENG 349 (3) Shakespeare

III. One course chosen from:
ENG 321 (3) Modern Poetry
ENG 332 (3) Contemporary Literature and Thought
ENG 333 (3) Literatures of Non-Western Cultures
ENG 339 (3) Victorian Literature and Thought
ENG 340 (3) Modern British Literature
ENG 351 (3) American Literature: Colonial and Early National Periods
ENG 352 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period to the Present
ENG 353 (3) American Literature: Romantic Period
ENG 354 (3) American Literature: Modern Period
ENG 362 (3) Literature of the Medieval World
ENG 455 (3) American Novel

IV. One course chosen from:
ENG 345 (3) Studies in Authors OR
ENG 435 (3) Studies in Texts

ONE OF THE COURSES CHOSEN FROM I., III., OR IV., OR THE LINGUISTICS COURSES IN A. MUST COVER A LITERARY PERIOD PRIOR TO 1800.

WORLD LITERATURE CORE
(12 Hours chosen from the following)
ENG 261 (3) Masterpieces of Ancient Literature
ENG 262 (3) Masterpieces of European Literature
ENG 330 (3) Mythological Backgrounds of Western Literature
ENG 332 (3) Contemporary Literature and Thought
ENG 333 (3) Literatures of Non-Western Cultures
ENG 365 (3) The Bible as Literature
ENG 561 (3) European Romanticism: A Comparative Approach
ENG 569 (3) Seminar in Major World Writers

Total: 39 semester hours
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English Minor
B.A., B.A.A., B.F.A., B.S., and B.S. in B.A. degrees
See general statements A, B, and C above.

Required Courses (18 hours):
A. Core Courses (6 hours)
ENG 234 (3) Introduction to Literary Analysis
AND one course from:
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 271 (3) Modern Grammar
ENG 375 (3) Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 379 (3) History and Development of the English Language
ENG 545 (3) Chaucer
ENG 570 (3) Old English

B. Literature (12 hours)
Two courses chosen from:
I. ENG 251 (3) American Literature: Colonial Through Romantic Period ENG 252 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period to the Present
ENG 235 (3) English Literature: Beginning to Romantic Period
ENG 236 (3) English Literature: Romantic Period to Present
ENG 261 (3) Masterpieces of Ancient Literature
ENG 262 (3) Masterpieces of European Literature

II. ENG 349 (3) Shakespeare

III. One course chosen from:
ENG 332 (3) Contemporary Literature and Thought
ENG 339 (3) Victorian Literature and Thought
ENG 340 (3) Modern British Literature
ENG 351 (3) American Literature: Colonial and Early National Period
ENG 352 (3) American Literature: Romantic Period
ENG 353 (3) American Literature: Realistic Period
ENG 354 (3) American Literature: Modern Period
ENG 362 (3) Literature of the Medieval World
ENG 439 (3) English Romantic Poetry and Prose
ENG 441 (3) Contemporary English Prose
ENG 454 (3) Contemporary American Prose
ENG 561 (3) European Romanticism

Elective English Courses (6 hours)

Total: 24 semester hours

English as a Second Language Minor
B.S. in Ed., Elementary and Secondary Emphases

To receive an English as a Second Language Minor, students must complete a program of 24 credit hours. In addition, they must have two years (or the equivalent) of college level experience in learning a foreign language. For students who are nonnative speakers of English, evidence of language proficiency in English is required. This may be demonstrated by one of a-d below.
a. TOEFL score of 550 (or computer-based TOEFL of 213) and a TWE (or computer-based essay) score of 5.0,
b. Equivalency scores for TOEFL and TWE on the CMU ELI Placement Test Series,
c. Successful completion of a course of study (e.g., high school diploma) in which the language of instruction is English,
d. Successful completion of at least twelve credit hours of work in a recognized undergraduate program in which the language of instruction is English.

Nonnative speakers of English whose TOEFL scores are between 500 and 550 (computer-based TOEFL of 173-213) and/or whose TWE (or computer-based essay) scores are between 4.0 and 5.0 may be admitted conditionally. All such applicants will be asked to take the CMU ELI Placement Test Series when they arrive at CMU, and may be asked to take courses in the English Language Institute depending on their performance on that test.

Core Courses (18 hours)
ENG 175 (3) The Nature of Language
ENG 375 (3) Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 571 (3) Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages
ENG 574 (3) TESOL Materials, Assessment, Curriculum
ENG 577 (3) Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
ENG 578 (3) Applied Sociolinguistics
OR EDU 513 (3) Foundations of Bilingual Bicultural Education

Elective courses (6 hours)
In addition to 18 hours required coursework, students must choose TWO electives from the groups listed below:

Group 1. Select one of the courses below
CDO 130 (3) Normal Speech and Language Acquisition
OR ENG 573 (3) Linguistics and Reading

Group 2. Select one of the courses below:
IPC 195 (3) Intercultural Communication
SPE 550 (3) Teaching Culturally Diverse Students
EDU 514 (3) Methods and Materials for Bilingual Bicultural Education
ENG 576 (3) Fundamental Issues in Language

Total Hours Required: 24
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The faculty: Anne Alton, Ronnie Apter, Ari Berk, William Brevda, Elizabeth Brockman, MaryAnn Crawford, John S. Dinan, Reade Dornan, Maureen Eke, Mark Freed, Peter H. Fries, Pam Gates, Leslie Grant, Janice Hartwick-Dressel, Heidi Holder, Stephen C. Holder, Gray Kochhar-Lindgren, Peter T. Koper, Melinda Kreth, Joseph Lease, Liesel Litzenburger, Kristen McDermott, Mary C. Obuchowski, Daniel Patterson, John R. Pfeiffer, Ronald Primeau, Robert L. Root, Susan Schiller, Sandra Seaton, Richard D. Seiter, William Spruiell, Susan Stan, Susan Steffel, Sharon Stevenson, Marcy Taylor, Stacy W. Thompson, Eric Torgersen, Jeffrey Weinstock.
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