English (Generalist), B.A.
The B.A. in English can be completed either in-person or online. This program delves into language and has the flexibility to encompass everything from literature, creative writing, rhetoric and composition, to technical and professional writing, linguistics, education, film studies and digital humanities. Reading, writing and critical thinking are the foundation for all courses in Marshall’s bachelor’s degree program in English. Students develop the skills necessary to examine, interpret, analyze and evaluate different forms of literature and writing—textual artifacts that have reflected and helped shape cultures across time. These skills—plus proficiencies in digital technology, communication and collaboration—help prepare our English majors for a variety of writing and communication jobs in a wealth of fields such as journalism, education, film and more.
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core I Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
MTH 121  | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Critical Thinking Course | 3 | |
| Core II | ||
ENG 101  | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Core II Physical/Natural Science | 4 | |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Texting the World(CT) (recommended) | ||
| Core II Social Science (Milestone Course | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| ENG Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| ENG Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Multicultural or International | 3 | |
| ENG 499 | Senior Capstone (not offered in summer) | 3 |
| College-Specific | ||
| Foreign Language 101 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 102 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 203 or MC, I or GLC Course | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 204 or MC, I, or GLC Course | 3 | |
| COLA Humanities | 3 | |
| COLA Humanities | 3 | |
| COLA Humanities | 3 | |
| COLA Social Science | 3 | |
| COLA Social Science | 3 | |
| COLA Social Science | 3 | |
| COLA Physical /Natural Science | 4 | |
| Major-Specific | ||
| ENG 350 | Intro to Textual Analysis (must be taken within the first 9 hours of coursework within the major) | 3 |
| ENG 355 | Intro to Critical Theory (not offered in summer) | 3 |
| ENG 499 | Senior Capstone (not offered in summer) | 3 |
| English Electives | 27 | |
Major Information
- The total number of free electives will depend on the amount of double and triple counting of requirements. Core II and COLA requirements may not be double counted.
- See course attributes each semester for courses that meet multiple requirements.
- Questions about requirements should be directed to your English Department advisor (304-696-6600) or to the College of Liberal Arts (304-696-2350).
- Forty-eight credit hours (sixteen 3-hour courses) must be at the 300/400 level.
- Students must earn a C or better in ENG 201 Advanced Composition, all ENG courses for the major, and all foreign language courses.
- Minimum of 120 hours to graduate.
- English majors will fulfill the university’s requirements for WI classes by taking the ENG classes required for the major.
Semester Plan
An English degree can give you the critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills you’ll need for success in this quick and quickly-changing world. Our program is flexible, so you can pursue a wide range of interests. Our courses give you the ability to think differently, to expand on and augment the ideas and work made in all fields, not just literature. Where you go from here is up to you (though we’ve got some ideas for you). But our courses are designed to hone not just your writing, but your thinking skills, too. Our faculty and staff are dedicated. All this to say, really, we plan on preparing you for a successful professional life as well as an invaluable way of thinking, about everything.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| COLA Social Science (Milestone course) | 3 | |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Texting the World(CT) (recommended) | ||
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| Core I Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENG 350 | Intro to Textual Analysis | 3 |
| Core II Physical/Natural Science | 4 | |
| Foreign Language 101 | 3 | |
| ENG Elective (3/400 level) | 3 | |
| COLA Humanities | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENG 355 | Intro to Critical Theory | 3 |
| ENG Elective 3/400 level | 3 | |
| COLA Humanities | 3 | |
| COLA Physical/Natural Science | 4 | |
| Foreign Language 102 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENG Elective (3/400 Level) | 3 | |
| ENG Elective (400 level) | 3 | |
| COLA Social Science | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 203, or MC, I or GLC course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENG Elective (400-level) | 3 | |
| ENG Elective (400-level) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 204 or MC, I or GLC Course | 3 | |
| COLA Social Science | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENG English elective (400-level) | 3 | |
| ENG Elective | 3 | |
| COLA Humanities | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENG 499 | Senior Capstone (C) | 3 |
| ENG English elective | 3 | |
| Free elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |