English draft

Program Overview

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Mercy University's English major offers a flexible degree with five pathways, including creative writing, cultural studies, literature, and writing and rhetoric. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and effective communication through interactive teaching methods and process-based writing instruction. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in education, publishing, journalism, public relations, marketing, and other fields that value effective communication and cultural awareness.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The English major at Mercy University provides students with a flexible and personally meaningful degree that opens doors to various career paths. Students can choose from five different degree pathways: the standard English major path, which provides the most flexibility, or paths concentrating on creative writing, cultural studies, literature, or writing and rhetoric. The English major curriculum at Mercy University attunes students to the power of the written word and develops their critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. Students hone their abilities in reading, analyzing, interpreting, and researching diverse literary texts and cultural forms, ranging from ancient epics to contemporary digital media. The program's emphasis on process-based writing cultivates students' ability to express themselves effectively, responsibly, and creatively in a multicultural and multimodal world. Graduates of the English major at Mercy University are well-prepared to excel in a wide range of careers that value effective communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness.

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Outline:

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General Liberal Arts and Sciences:

60 credits

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Major Concentration—English:

36 credits

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Open Electives:

24 credits

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Total:

120 credits

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Core Courses (6 credits):

• ENGL 195 - Introduction to English Studies
• ENGL 400 - Seminar in Literary Research & Writing

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Category 1: Building Foundations: Literary Surveys (3 credits):

• ENGL 205 - Survey English Lit I
• ENGL 206 - Survey English Lit II
• ENGL 207 - American Lit Survey I
• ENGL 208 - Amer Lit Sur II 1865-Present

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Category 2: Expanding Foundations: Literary Histories (3 credits):

• ENGL 225 - Classical Literature
• ENGL 275 - Modern American Fiction
• ENGL 276 - Contemporary American Lit
• ENGL 300 - Medieval Literature
• ENGL 305 - Chaucer
• ENGL 310 - Renaissance Poetry & Prose
• ENGL 315 - Shakespeare
• ENGL 316 - Shakespeare’s Tragedies
• ENGL 318 - Explorers and Exiles in Paris
• ENGL 325 - The 17th Century: Poetry/Prose
• ENGL 330 - The Eighteenth Century
• ENGL 335 - The Major English Romantics
• ENGL 340 - The Major Victorians
• ENGL 353 - African-American Literature
• ENGL 365 - American Romanticism
• ENGL 370 - American Realism
• ENGL 385 - Masterpieces of European Lit

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Category 3: Gaining Perspective: Culture, Identity, & Difference (3 credits):

• ENGL 214 - Cyberpunk/Technoculture
• ENGL 224 - LGTBQ+ Experiences & Lit
• ENGL 234 - Literature by Women
• ENGL 236 - Hip Hop Literature & Culture
• ENGL 239 - American Studies I
• ENGL 240 - Literature to Film
• ENGL 257 - Latin American Literature
• ENGL 267 - Caribbean Literature
• ENGL 268 - Harlem Renaissance
• ENGL 269 - Hispanic Latino Lit

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Category 4: Developing Your Voice: Writing, Rhetoric, & Style (3 credits):

• ENGL 209 - Writing for the Professions
• ENGL 210 - Cultural Rhetorics
• ENGL 217 - Creative Writing: Fiction
• ENGL 218 - Creative Writing: Poetry
• ENGL 219 - Creative Writing: Nonfiction
• ENGL 265 - Introduction to Playwriting
• ENGL 304 - Mod Engl Writing with Style
• ENGL 306 - Secret Life Words & Sentences
• ENGL 319 - Advanced Creative Writing

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Major Electives (18 credits):

Courses can be drawn from the above categories and the following elective categories:

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Exploring Further: Genre Studies & Textual Transformations (3 credits):

• ENGL 212 - Science Fiction
• ENGL 220 - The Short Story
• ENGL 223 - Murder, Mystery, & Suspense
• ENGL 235 - True Stories:Memoir,Essay& Bio
• ENGL 249 - American Gothic
• ENGL 271 - Modrn British Novel:1900-Prsnt
• ENGL 280 - History of Drama
• ENGL 281 - Modern Drama
• ENGL 285 - Modern Poetry
• ENGL 301 - Utopian Literature

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Crossing Borders & Disciplines (3 credits):

• ENGL 215 - Literature and Medicine
• ENGL 222 - The Graphic Novel
• ENGL 230 - The Bible as Literature
• ENGL 238 - Sport Literature
• ENGL 242 - Literature and Psychology
• ENGL 259 - Oral Performance of Literature
• ENGL 263 - Black Atlantic:Lit/History
• ENGL 290 - World Lit-Beyond Borders

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Foreign Language Requirement (6 credits):

Students must complete 6 credits of a foreign language. The 6 credits do not have to be in the same language, but it is recommended that they be. 3 of these credits will come from the student’s Gen Ed Language & Cultural Perspectives disciplinary group requirement; the other 3 will be drawn from either the student’s Gen Ed Liberal Arts Electives or from Open Electives.

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Assessment:

The assessment process in the English major at Mercy University focuses on evaluating students' critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills throughout the program.

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Teaching:

The English major at Mercy University emphasizes interactive and engaging teaching methods that foster critical thinking, literary analysis, and effective communication. The program's faculty consists of experienced and knowledgeable professors who are dedicated to providing students with a supportive and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Unique approaches include:

• Process-based writing instruction: Students are guided through the writing process, with emphasis on developing ideas, drafting, revising, and editing.
• Emphasis on close reading and literary analysis: Students engage with diverse literary texts and develop advanced skills in critical reading, interpretation, and argumentation.
• Incorporation of technology: The program utilizes online resources, digital texts, and multimedia platforms to enhance learning and engagement.

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Careers:

Graduates of the English major at Mercy University are highly sought after by employers in various industries, including:

• Education (teaching, administration)
• Publishing (editing, writing)
• Journalism (reporting, writing)
• Public relations (communications, media relations)
• Marketing (content creation, copywriting)
• Advertising (creative direction, copywriting)
• Business (management, human resources)
• Government (policy analysis, writing)
• Law (legal writing, research)
• Non-profit organizations (program development, fundraising)
• Arts and entertainment (writing, editing, production)