English, Bachelor of Arts (662)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/english
Program Coordinator
Alison L. Langdon, alison.langdon@wku.edu, (270) 745-3046
Program Coordinator for the Literature Concentration: Gillian Knoll (gillian.knoll@wku.edu)
Program Coordinator for the Creative Writing: Jessica Folk (jessica.folk@wku.edu)
Program Coordinator for the Professional Writing Concentration: Angela Jones (angela.jones@wku.edu)
The English major prepares students to be productive citizens by developing strong writing, research, and critical thinking skills throughout its curriculum. The major allows students to specialize in concentrations devoted to literature, creative writing, or professional writing, with many students opting to take courses in more than one of these areas.
English students are prepared to communicate, interpret, create, and research in multiple genres and through multiple platforms, with the flexibility to apply these skills to the diverse circumstances required in today's professional environment. The nature of the material covered in this curriculum, including studying literary works by authors from highly diverse backgrounds from around the globe, ensures that our students will be engaged and socially responsible.
Concentrations
- Literature (ENLT)
- Creative Writing (ENCW)
- Professional Writing (ENPW)
Program Requirements (42 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
All English major concentrations require 42 semester hours with 27 hours in the core and 15 hours in the concentration. Students must take an introduction to the major course (ENG 299), three literature survey courses (ENG 385 and either ENG 381 and ENG 392 or ENG 382 and ENG 391), a language course (ENG 204), two writing courses (ENG 203, ENG 306, ENG 307, ENG 401, or ENG 410) AND (ENG 212, ENG 301, or ENG 412), and a capstone (ENG 413, ENG 414, or ENG 416, depending on their concentration).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses: | ||
| Introduction to the Major | ||
| ENG 299 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| Literature Survey Courses | ||
| ENG 385 | Studies in World Literature | 3 |
| Select one of the following pairings: | 6 | |
| Survey of British Literature I and Survey of American Literature II | ||
| Survey of British Literature II and Survey of American Literature I | ||
| Language Course | ||
| ENG 204 | English Language | 3 |
| Writing Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Creative Writing | ||
| Business Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Composition Theory and Practice in Writing Instruction | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Digital Texts and Media | ||
| Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse | ||
| Theories of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following, depending on the concentration: | 3 | |
| Creative Writing Capstone | ||
| Professional Writing Capstone | ||
| Literature/EST Capstone | ||
| Select one 300- or 400- level literature elective from the departmental offerings. | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
Creative Writing Concentration
Our Creative Writing program offers courses in a variety of genres: creative nonfiction, fiction, play/screenwriting, and poetry. The curriculum includes a study of literature and emphasizes experimentation to help students find and develop their interests, their skills, and ultimately, their own niche.
Our Readers Series brings to campus several successful authors each year for public readings, classroom visits, and workshops. CW students are encouraged to pursue publication of original work both by submitting for print publication and participating in readings – and opportunities abound.
Our literacy publication, Zephyrus, is produced by and for WKU students; numerous writing contests (including the English Club's Goldenrod Poetry Contest and a genre-rotating contest accompanying the annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing) are offered each year, and the campus and larger community offer a variety of venues for readings, from coffeehouse open-mic nights to more formal occasions, like our annual Senior Reading.
The CW major requires either a second major or a minor, and we invite students to use that requirement to their advantage by selecting one which will contribute directly to their aspirations, whether that may be a career plan (since almost every career field has a place for skilled writers) or a discipline which will better equip them for a specific writing pursuit. Naturally, the CW program—like all other English majors—also offers opportunities to study abroad.
The creative writing concentration requires a minimum of 42 hours and leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor or second major is required. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses applying to this major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 204 | English Language | 3 |
| ENG 299 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| ENG 312 | Reading as a Writer | 3 |
| ENG 385 | Studies in World Literature | 3 |
| ENG 413 | Creative Writing Capstone (capstone, which should be taken in the final semester of coursework) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 6 | |
| Survey of British Literature I and Survey of American Literature II | ||
| Survey of British Literature II and Survey of American Literature I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Creative Writing 1 | ||
| Business Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Composition Theory and Practice in Writing Instruction | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Digital Texts and Media | ||
| Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse | ||
| Theories of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| FILM 250 | Screenwriting I | 3 |
| Intermediate Fiction Writing | ||
| Intermediate Poetry Writing | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Special Topics in Creative Writing | ||
| Drama Writing | ||
| ENG 359 | Topics in Scriptwriting | 3 |
| Writing Memoir and Autobiography | ||
| Directed Writing | ||
| FILM 450 | Feature Screenwriting | 3 |
| Advanced Poetry Writing | ||
| Advanced Fiction Workshop | ||
| Visiting Writer Summer Workshop | ||
| Select one 300- or 400- level literature elective from department offerings | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
- 1
ENG 203 is a required prerequisite to the upper-level creative writing courses.
Literature Concentration
The English literature concentration at WKU is a dynamic program offering a wide range of courses. Our majors not only build a strong, broad foundation in literature in English (British, American, World), they also have opportunities for in-depth study in literature electives such as "Dante's Divine Comedy," "Southern Literature, " and "Mythology" as well as special topics courses such as "Gothic Fiction" and "Literature and the Environment."
In addition to courses offered here at WKU, we offer opportunities to study abroad in far-flung locations such as Cuba, Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom; closer to home, recent study away courses have traveled to Chicago, New York City, and Oxford, Mississippi.
Through the English Club, literature majors engage in extracurricular activities that include attending public readings and plays or serving as Judges for the Goldenrod poetry contest. Our students' talents are showcased in the department's undergraduate scholarly journal, The Ashen Egg, and each year a number of students present their work at local, regional, and even national conferences.
The literature concentration in English requires a minimum of 42 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor or second major is required. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses applying to the major. At least one of the restricted literature electives must be at the 400-level.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 204 | English Language | 3 |
| ENG 299 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| ENG 381 | Survey of British Literature I | 3 |
| ENG 382 | Survey of British Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 385 | Studies in World Literature | 3 |
| ENG 391 | Survey of American Literature I | 3 |
| ENG 392 | Survey of American Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 416 | Literature/EST Capstone (senior capstone, which should be taken in the last semester of coursework) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Creative Writing | ||
| Business Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Composition Theory and Practice in Writing Instruction | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Digital Texts and Media | ||
| Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse | ||
| Theories of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing | ||
| Select four additional three-credit, upper-level literature Courses | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Professional Writing Concentration
Our PW program emphasizes the kinds of thinking, reading, and writing skills necessary for today's workplaces. Students in our program learn how to write persuasively, edit and publish professional texts, research projects and consult with clients, and use online writing technologies (social media, blogging, etc.) for professional purposes.
In conjunction with the English department, we also offer study-abroad opportunities in locations like the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, and Greece. Finally, we strongly encourage Professional Writing students to enroll in our robust internship program and get "on-the-job" writing/editorial experience in publishing houses and presses, local non-profits, and campus organizations. Many of our students have used their successful internship opportunities to secure permanent positions as new editors, journalists, technical writers in local security firms and environmental consulting organizations, or to pursue advanced degrees in English, Biology, Social Work, and Law to name a few.
The professional writing concentration requires a minimum of 42 hours and leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor or second major is required. A grade of “C” or higher is required in all courses applying to the major. It is strongly recommended that students in the professional writing concentration complete an internship (ENG 369).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 204 | English Language | 3 |
| ENG 299 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| ENG 385 | Studies in World Literature | 3 |
| ENG 414 | Professional Writing Capstone (capstone, which should be taken the final semester of coursework) | 3 |
| Select one of the following pairs: | 6 | |
| Survey of British Literature I and Survey of American Literature II | ||
| Survey of British Literature II and Survey of American Literature I | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Creative Writing | ||
| Business Writing 1 | ||
| Technical Writing 1 | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Composition Theory and Practice in Writing Instruction | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Digital Texts and Media | ||
| Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse | ||
| Theories of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing | ||
| Select five of the following, but no more than two from outside of the English Department: | 15 | |
| Introduction to Digital Texts and Media | ||
| Argument and Analysis in Written Discourse | ||
| Business Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Special Topics in Professional Writing | ||
| Internship I | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Editing and Publishing | ||
| Theories of Rhetoric and Persuasive Writing | ||
| Writing and Technology | ||
| Basic Marketing Concepts | ||
| Social Media Marketing | ||
| Fundamentals of Photography | ||
| Digital Video Production and Distribution | ||
| 300- or 400-level Literature Elective from department offerings | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Finish in Four Plan
Creative Writing
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 100 | 3 | ENG 200 | 3 |
| HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab | 3 | MATH 109 or MATH 116 | 3 |
| Colonnade - Arts & Humanities | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| World Language Requirement or General Elective | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 299 | 3 | Creative Writing Elective #1 (of 4) | 3 |
| ENG 203 | 3 | ENG 312 | 3 |
| Literature Survey #1 (of 3) | 3 | ENG 204 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Cultural | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 300 | 3 | Literature Elective (300/400 level) | 3 |
| Literature Survey #2 (of 3) | 3 | Creative Writing Elective #3 (of 4) | 3 |
| Creative Writing Elective #2 (of 4) | 3 | Rhetoric Elective (ENG 212 or ENG 301 or ENG 412) | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Colonnade - Local to Global | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Creative Writing Elective #4 (of 4) | 3 | ENG 413 | 3 |
| Literature Survey #3 (of 3) | 3 | Minor Course or General Elective | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course or General Elective | 3 |
| Minor Course or General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade - Systems | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
Literature
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 100 | 3 | ENG 200 | 3 |
| HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab | 3 | MATH 109 or MATH 116 | 3 |
| Colonnade - Arts & Humanities | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| World Language Requirement or General Elective | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 299 | 3 | Literature Elective | 3 |
| ENG 385 | 3 | ENG 381 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | ENG 204 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Cultural | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 300 | 3 | Literature Elective | 3 |
| ENG 391 | 3 | Writing Elective (203, 306, 307, 401, 410) | 3 |
| Literature Elective | 3 | ENG 382 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Colonnade - Local to Global | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Literature Elective | 3 | ENG 416 | 3 |
| ENG 392 | 3 | Minor Course or General Elective | 3 |
| Rhetoric Elective (212, 301, 412) | 3 | Minor Course or General Elective | 3 |
| Minor Course or General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade - Systems | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
Professional Writing
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 100 | 3 | ENG 200 | 3 |
| HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab | 3 | MATH 109 or MATH 116 | 3 |
| Colonnade - Arts & Humanities | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| World Language Requirement or General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 299 | 3 | ENG 204 | 3 |
| ENG 300 | 3 | ENG 306 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab | 3 | Minor Course or General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Professional Writing Elective | 3 | Writing & Rhetoric Course | 3 |
| Professional Writing Elective | 3 | Professional Writing Elective | 3 |
| ENG 385 | 3 | Literature Survey | 3 |
| Literature Elective (300/400 level) | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Cultural or Local to Global or Systems | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| ENG 414 | 3 | Professional Writing Elective | 3 |
| Literature Survey | 3 | Professional Writing Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade - Social & Cultural or Local to Global or Systems | 3 | Colonnade - Social & Cultural or Local to Global or Systems | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course or General Elective | 3 | Minor Course or General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||