English/Communications
Sequence of courses
The study of modern communications combines wide background knowledge with technical expertise, from traditional literary study to the latest applications in digital elctronics. Our faculty seek to develop your skills in several areas: literature, writing, speech, the literature of the theatre, film, television and radio.
Our program is built on a foundation of courses intended to give you excellent training in literature, language, and mass media. As English/Communications graduates, you will be generalists with extensive humanistic knowledge who are capable of adapting your skills and talents to the demands of a number of different career paths.
Your courses in the major will fall into three broad areas: foundation courses that everyone takes, concentration courses that focus on your particular learning goals, and electives that expand your knowledge on specific topics.
Foundation courses (24 cr)
All majors take the following eight courses.
- ENGL 211 Introduction to Mass Media
- ENGL 250 Essentials of Literature
- ENGL 351-65 Major Author (Select one)
- ENGL 366-80 Literature in Context (Select one)
- ENGL 381-94 Diverse Voices in American Literature (Select one)
- Any advanced writing course at the 200 level or above
- ENGL 451 British Masterpieces
- or ENGL 461 American Masterpieces
- or ENGL 471 World Masterpieces
- ENGL 490 Senior Seminar
Concentration courses (18 cr)
Beyond the foundation courses shared by everyone, each student selects a concentration. You will want to discuss with your advisor which concentration best meets your interests, talents, and career goals.
Departmental Electives (6 cr)
Finally, students complete their major with additional courses that broaden your preparation. Working closely with your advisor, you choose the electives that enrich your qualifications for such career objectives as law, teaching, journalism, media design, public relations, advertising, insurance, real estate, radio or television production, technical writing, consumer relations, editing, politics, and many more.For example, if you have a concentration in journalism, you might choose:
- two courses in public relations which both strengthen your concentration and broaden your career options
- two courses in literature which will broaden your understanding of story-telling strategies
- or any combination that best suits your individual needs and preferences.
A student's choice of electives should follow a coherent plan, reflect the student's career goals, and broaden a student's exposure to the field.
You can choose to use six hours of intermediate foreign language as elective credit toward the English degree or you can use study in foreign language to substitute for the core requirement in Critical Reading (ENGL 349). We cannot recommend strongly enough that all English majors attain at least intermediate proficiency in a foreign language.
Suggested Course Sequence
Core courses, concentration courses, and departmental electives should, if possible, follow the pattern outlined below. Of course, all students should work out the precise sequence of courses in close consultation with their advisor.
Freshman/Sophomore Year
ENGL 211 Introduction to Mass Media
ENGL 250 Essentials of Literature
First course in your concentration
Sophomore/Junior Year
Two core E/C foundation courses (Major Author or Literature in Context, for example)
Required course in advanced writing
Junior Year
Two E/C foundation courses
Second concentration course
Third concentration course
First departmental elective
(Some students may be ready for Critical Reading in the 2nd semester...see your advisor.)
Senior Year
Critical Reading (1st semester)
Second departmental elective
Fourth concentration course
ENGL 490 Senior Seminar (2nd semester)
