Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

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).

Core Courses:
Introduction to the Major
ENG 299Introduction to English Studies3
Literature Survey Courses
ENG 385Studies in World Literature3
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 204English Language3
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 Hours27

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.

ENG 204English Language3
ENG 299Introduction to English Studies3
ENG 312Reading as a Writer3
ENG 385Studies in World Literature3
ENG 413Creative 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 250Screenwriting I3
Intermediate Fiction Writing
Intermediate Poetry Writing
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Special Topics in Creative Writing
Drama Writing
ENG 359Topics in Scriptwriting3
Writing Memoir and Autobiography
Directed Writing
FILM 450Feature Screenwriting3
Advanced Poetry Writing
Advanced Fiction Workshop
Visiting Writer Summer Workshop
Select one 300- or 400- level literature elective from department offerings3
Total Hours51
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.

ENG 204English Language3
ENG 299Introduction to English Studies3
ENG 381Survey of British Literature I3
ENG 382Survey of British Literature II3
ENG 385Studies in World Literature3
ENG 391Survey of American Literature I3
ENG 392Survey of American Literature II3
ENG 416Literature/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 Courses12
Total Hours42

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). 

ENG 204English Language3
ENG 299Introduction to English Studies3
ENG 385Studies in World Literature3
ENG 414Professional 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
International Public Relations
Fundamentals of Photography
Digital Video Production and Distribution
300- or 400-level Literature Elective from department offerings3
Total Hours42
1

ENG 306 or ENG 307 is a prerequisite for most professional writing classes.

Finish in Four Plan

Creative Writing

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 1003ENG 2003
HIST 101 or HIST 1023Colonnade - Social & Behavioral Science3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab3MATH 109 or MATH 1163
Colonnade - Arts & Humanities3COMM 1453
World Language Requirement or General Elective3Minor Course3
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 2993Creative Writing Elective #1 (of 4)3
ENG 2033ENG 3123
Literature Survey #1 (of 3)3ENG 2043
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab3Colonnade - Social & Cultural3
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 3003Literature Elective (300/400 level)3
Literature Survey #2 (of 3)3Creative Writing Elective #3 (of 4)3
Creative Writing Elective #2 (of 4)3Rhetoric Elective (ENG 212 or ENG 301 or ENG 412)3
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Colonnade - Local to Global3Minor Course3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Creative Writing Elective #4 (of 4)3ENG 4133
Literature Survey #3 (of 3)3Minor Course or General Elective3
Minor Course3Minor Course or General Elective3
Minor Course or General Elective3General Elective3
Colonnade - Systems3General Elective3
 15 15
Total Hours 120

Literature

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 1003ENG 2003
HIST 101 or HIST 1023Colonnade - Social & Behavioral Science3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab3MATH 109 or MATH 1163
Colonnade - Arts & Humanities3COMM 1453
World Language Requirement or General Elective3Minor Course3
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 2993Literature Elective 3
ENG 3853ENG 3813
Minor Course3ENG 2043
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab3Colonnade - Social & Cultural3
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 3003Literature Elective 3
ENG 3913Writing Elective (203, 306, 307, 401, 410)3
Literature Elective 3ENG 3823
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Colonnade - Local to Global3Minor Course3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Literature Elective 3ENG 4163
ENG 3923Minor Course or General Elective3
Rhetoric Elective (212, 301, 412)3Minor Course or General Elective3
Minor Course or General Elective3General Elective3
Colonnade - Systems3General Elective3
 15 15
Total Hours 120

Professional Writing

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 1003ENG 2003
HIST 101 or HIST 1023Colonnade - Social & Behavioral Science3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab3MATH 109 or MATH 1163
Colonnade - Arts & Humanities3COMM 1453
World Language Requirement or General Elective3General Elective3
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 2993ENG 2043
ENG 3003ENG 3063
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Minor Course3Minor Course3
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab3Minor Course or General Elective3
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Professional Writing Elective3Writing & Rhetoric Course3
Professional Writing Elective3Professional Writing Elective3
ENG 3853Literature Survey3
Literature Elective (300/400 level)3Minor Course3
Minor Course3Colonnade - Social & Cultural or Local to Global or Systems3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
ENG 4143Professional Writing Elective3
Literature Survey 3Professional Writing Elective3
Colonnade - Social & Cultural or Local to Global or Systems3Colonnade - Social & Cultural or Local to Global or Systems3
Minor Course3Minor Course 3
Minor Course or General Elective3Minor Course or General Elective3
 15 15
Total Hours 120