The English Department offers a program with several kinds of students in mind:

  • Students who are satisfying general education requirements,
  • Students who want additional courses in composition, literature, and creative writing as electives,
  • Students who wish to complete an education major or minor in English, and 
  • Students who wish to major in English.

The English major prepares students for graduate or professional school, or for a career in such fields as publishing, advertising, law, civil service, journalism, public relations, and the ministry. Students who major in English at Carthage will develop the ability to think critically and creatively, write articulately, and consider problems from a broad range of perspectives. These skills will contribute to their professional and personal lives as informed and effective communicators.

English majors are expected to take advantage of the many opportunities to attend literary programs and performances of plays, including those of the Carthage Theatre Department. As a minimum, majors are encouraged to participate in at least one of the annual fall trips to the Stratford Theatre Festival in Ontario.

Learn about the creative writing emphasis

The English major consists of the following:

Required Courses (16 credits)
  • ENG 1160 Introduction to Literary Studies (4 credits)
  • ENG 2050 Creative Writing (4 credits)
  • ENG 4000 Junior Seminar: Critical Theory and Methods in Literary Studies (4 credits)
  • ENG 4100 Senior Seminar (4 credits)
Category I: Literature and Its Contexts — Choose Two (8 credits)
  • ENG 2010 Studies in American Literature (4 credits)
  • ENG 2020 Studies in British Literature (4 credits)
  • ENG 3010 Literature in Its Time I: Prior to 1800 (4 credits)
  • ENG 3150 Special Studies in a Major Author Prior to 1800 (4 credits)
  • ENG 3020 Literature in Its Time II: After 1800 (4 credits)
  • ENG 3160 Special Studies in a Major Author after 1800 (4 credits)
Category II: Literary Forms and Theories — Choose Two (8 credits)
  • ENG 3030 Major Texts in Critical Theory (4 credits)
  • ENG 3070 Film and Literature (4 credits)
  • ENG 3090 Literature of Diversity (4 credits)
  • ENG 3100 Literature and Gender (4 credits)
  • ENG 3110 Shakespeare (4 credits)
  • ENG 3140 Literary Genres (4 credits)

All English majors must take either ENG 3090 Literature of Diversity or another ENG course designated to satisfy the Diverse Perspectives requirement.

The balance of the 40 credits may be completed by choosing among the department course offerings.

The English Minor consists of 24 credits in English, including the following:

  • ENG 1160 Introduction to Literary Studies (4 credits)
  • ENG 2050 Creative Writing (4 credits)
Category I: Literature and Its Contexts — Choose One (4 credits)
  • ENG 2010 Studies in American Literature (4 credits)
  • ENG 2020 Studies in British Literature (4 credits)
  • ENG 3010 Literature in Its Time I: Prior to 1800 (4 credits)
  • ENG 3150 Special Studies in a Major Author Prior to 1800 (4 credits)
  • ENG 3020 Literature in Its Time II: After 1800 (4 credits)
  • ENG 3160 Special Studies in a Major Author after 1800 (4 credits)
Category II: Literary Forms and Theories — Choose One (4 credits)
  • ENG 3030 Major Texts in Critical Theory (4 credits)
  • ENG 3070 Film and Literature (4 credits)
  • ENG 3090 Literature of Diversity (4 credits)
  • ENG 3100 Literature and Gender (4 credits)
  • ENG 3110 Shakespeare (4 credits)
  • ENG 3140 Literary Genres (4 credits)

All English minors must take either ENG 3090 Literature of Diversity or another ENG course designated to satisfy the Diverse Perspectives requirement.

Students majoring in elementary education may count EDU 2130 Multicultural Children’s and Early Adolescent’s Literature as an elective toward the English minor.

Carthage offers an emphasis in creative writing for English majors, and a minor in creative writing for non-English majors. 

See the creative writing requirements

Students majoring in English and seeking teaching licensure at the secondary level must take the following:

  • EDU 2130 Multicultural Children’s and Early Adolescent Literature (4 credits)
  • ENG 4200 Methods and Materials in Teaching English (4 credits)

Students interested in teaching licensure should contact the Education Department.

Students interested in pursuing honors in English should consult the department chair for details. Forms for departmental honors are available from the English Department chairperson. Basic requirements are listed under All-College Programs in the catalog.

 

Current students, remember: You should follow the official College Catalog from the year you entered Carthage and work with your advisors and the department chair to ensure all requirements are met.