Brockport / Catalogs / 2013-14 / Programs / English Major

English Major

Description

The English major is tailored for students who wish to pursue a passion for reading and writing, and for those who seek a general education in literary studies as they plan for careers in education, law, business administration, public relations, advertising, government, or any field where effective use of the English language and critical thinking skills are seen as essential to a broad humanistic perspective. English majors choose between a literature or creative writing concentration (outlined below), where their course work is designed to develop analytical, research, and creative skills.

Preparing for Business, Law and Public Service: Literature courses which emphasize psychological, social and verbal analysis provide a solid basis for the type of critical thinking needed in professional positions, while courses in writing, business communication, journalism/ publication, etc. provide a solid basis in communication skills central to these areas.

Student Life: The Writers Forum provides exposure to significant contemporary writers and critics. The English Club offers a variety of activities, including the publication of student writing. Sigma Tau Delta, an international honor society, recognizes significant academic accomplishment. Awards are available for student scholarship and outstanding literary-critical, fiction, poetry and non-fiction writing.

Study Abroad: A variety of study abroad programs are available and encouraged. In particular, English majors are urged to consider participating in the Brockport Oxford Scholars program, in which they spend one term studying at Oxford University and receive the designation "Brockport Oxford Scholar" on their permanent record. Minimal requirements for the Oxford program include a 3.25 GPA in the major; details are available in the Office of International Education.

Admission to the Program

Any undergraduate student can declare a major in English.

Program Requirements

Students in the English major pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements.

The major in English consist of 36 credits, though students often take additional electives. At least 18 credtis must be taken at Brockport, and at least 30 credits must be in courses numbered ENG 300 to ENG 499.

Students are encouraged to construct a personal course of study in such areas as American, British or world literature; film studies; women writers; modern literature, etc. or to explore the diversity of literary and language studies. Students preparing for teaching in elementary through high school are strongly advised to consult the Department of Education and Human Development in selecting appropriate electives.

A grade of "C" or higher is required for ENG 303.

Students in the English major declare a concentration in either English literature or creative writing.

English Literature Concentration

  • ENG 303 Introduction to Literary Analysis
  • One course in Shakespeare
  • ENG 472 Capstone

ENG 303 is a co-requisite for all other 300-level courses, and ENG 303 and 9 credits of 300-level courses are pre-requisites for 400-level courses. Literature track students must take:

  • One course in close reading (ENG 304-349, other than Shakespeare)
  • Two courses examining texts and contexts (ENG 350-399)
  • One 400-level seminar (ENG 400-471)

Creative Writing Concentration

  • ENG 303 Introduction to Literary Analysis
  • ENG 210 Introduction to Creative Writing
  • One course in British Literature
  • One course in American Literature
  • One course in World Literature
  • ENG 305 Poetry Workshop
  • Three electives
  • ENG 495 The Writer's Craft (may be repeated once)

Course sequencing note: ENG 210 is a prerequisite for 300-level workshops. The 300-level workshops are prerequisites for the advanced workshops.

Student Learning Outcomes

The following Learning Outcomes are the central objectives for teaching and learning in the Department of English. Upon graduating from the major, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze the relationship between literary form and meaning, taking into consideration literary techniques and devices.
  2. Construct arguments about literary works using historical contexts.
  3. Identify reputable and relevant sources, and incorporate the words and ideas of others without misrepresentation and with appropriate documentation practices.
  4. Write in conformity with standard usage and grammar.
  5. Argue with a command of the rhetorical strategies, terms, and major interpretive methods characteristic of academic writing in the Humanities. Applicable for all English majors enrolled in the Literature Track, particularly those taking courses at the 400-level.
  6. Apply basic elements of creative writing craft, including such elements as control of form and figurative language. Applicable for students in the Creative Writing program.

Department of English

Department Chair: Jennifer Haytock
Location: Hartwell 211
Visit Website
Email: slvasque@brockport.edu
Phone: (585) 395-2503
Fax: (585) 395-2391

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Faculty & Staff

    


Sharon L Allen Ph.D
 (Princeton University)  
Associate Professor
Robert  Baker 
Coordinator of Composition
Ralph W Black Ph.D
 (New York University)  
Associate Professor + Co-Director, Writers Forum
Samuel  Brock BA
 (California Lutheran University)  
Graduate Assistant
Miriam E Burstein Ph.D
 (University Of Chicago)  
Associate Professor
Austin M Busch Ph.D
 (Indiana University-Bloomington)  
Associate Professor
Sarah M Cedeno MA
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Lecturer
Michael S Chojnowski MA
 (SUNY At Fredonia)  
Lecturer
Brooke A Conti Ph.D
 (Yale University)  
Associate Professor
John C Curry MA
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Lecturer
April  Daniels BA
 (University Of Rochester)  
Graduate Assistant
Mary A Donovan-Wright MA
 (SUNY Empire State College)  
Lecturer
Sasha J Eloi MA
 (Syracuse University)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Stephen  Fellner Ph.D
 (University Of Utah)  
Associate Professor
T Gregory  Garvey Ph.D
 (University Of Wisconsin-Madison)  
Professor
Monica  Gilligan MS
 (SUNY At Buffalo)  
Lecturer
Amy H Green Ph.D
 (West Virginia University)  
Lecturer
Jennifer  Haytock Ph.D
 (University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill)  
Professor and Chair
Janie W Hinds Ph.D
 (University Of Tulsa)  
Professor
Mary Jo  Iuppa MA
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Lecturer
Stefan  Jurasinski Ph.D
 (Indiana University-Kokomo)  
Associate Professor
Stephanie  Kane MA
 (Minnesota State University-Mankato)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Alissa G Karl Ph.D
 (University Of Washington-Seattle Campus)  
Assistant Professor
Alicia L Kerfoot Ph.D
 (McMaster University)  
Assistant Professor
J Roger  Kurtz Ph.D
 (University Of Iowa)  
Professor/ Chair Anthropology + African A-America Studies
Tanya  Kuzylak MLS
 (SUNY At Buffalo)  
Lecturer
Maria L Lasch MA
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Lars  Mazzola Ph.D
 (University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities)  
Lecturer
Laura M McSpadden BS
 (Manchester College)  
Graduate Assistant
Thomas  Metzger MLS
 (SUNY College At Geneseo)  
Lecturer
Shayna J Neer BS
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Meg A Norcia Ph.D
 (University Of Florida)  
Associate Professor
Megan L Obourn Ph.D
 (New York University)  
Associate Professor
Anne M Panning Ph.D
 (University Of Hawaii At Manoa)  
Professor + Co-Director, Writers Forum
Paul A Persia MA
 (The University Of Tennessee)  
Lecturer
Kristen  Proehl Ph.D
 (College Of William And Mary)  
Assistant Professor
Sidney  Rosenzweig Ph.D
 (University Of Rochester)  
Lecturer
Kerstin  Rudolph MA
 (University Of Illinois University Administration)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Carter  Soles Ph.D
 (University Of Oregon)  
Assistant Professor
Matthew A Taber MS
 (Nazareth College Of Rochester)  
Lecturer
Sevinc  Turkkan Ph.D
 (University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign)  
Visiting Assistant Professor
Susan L Vasquez BS
 (SUNY College At Brockport)  
Secretary 1
Elizabeth  Whittingham Ph.D
 (SUNY College At Buffalo)  
Lecturer
James  Whorton Ph.D
 (University Of Southern Mississippi)  
Associate Professor + Associate Chair
Phil E Young Ph.D
 (University Of South Alabama)  
Lecturer
Kelley W Zanghi MA
 (SUNY At Fredonia)  
Lecturer