Program Overview
The English BA program at Saint Louis University focuses on critical thinking, creative writing, and analyzing how language shapes culture and perspectives. Graduates gain skills in clarity, rhetorical precision, and critical analysis, preparing them for careers in various fields requiring excellent communication and analytical abilities. Students can choose from concentrations in Creative Writing, Research Intensive English, or Rhetoric, Writing and Technology. The program emphasizes discussion, critical thinking, and reflection in small classes, providing ample opportunities for research, internships, and community-based learning.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The English, B.A. program at Saint Louis University is designed to engage students in the world of literature and the art of language. The program aims to equip students with critical thinking and creative writing skills, enabling them to analyze how language shapes culture and diverse perspectives.
Objectives:
Graduates of the SLU Department of English B.A. program will be able to:
- Write with clarity, style and rhetorical precision.
- Describe the relationship between historical contexts and literary and rhetorical works.
- Analyze how form, medium and genre contribute to meaning in a variety of works.
- Articulate ethical and political implications of literary and rhetorical works for communities beyond the University.
Outline:
The English, B.A. degree requires 30 credits in ENGL.
Required Courses:
- ENGL 3000 Encountering English (3 credits)
- ENGL 3020 Shapes of English (3 credits)
- ENGL 4140 Reading & Writing Justice (3 credits)
- ENGL 4960 Senior Capstone Workshop (3 credits)
Early and Late Texts & Contexts Courses:
- Students must complete one 3-credit course with the Early Texts & Contexts attribute, such as:
- ENGL 3250 British Literary Traditions to 1800
- ENGL 3270 American Literary Traditions to 1865
- ENGL 3310 World Literary Traditions I
- ENGL 3470 Introduction to Shakespeare
- ENGL 3570 Writing Sex in the Middle Ages
- ENGL 4035 Histories of Persuasion
- ENGL 4100 History of the English Language
- ENGL 4290 Topics in Medieval Literature
- ENGL 4350 17th Century Literature
- Students must complete one 3-credit course with the Late Texts & Contexts attribute, such as:
- ENGL 3260 British Literary Traditions after 1800
- ENGL 3280 American Literatures after 1865
- ENGL 3500 Literature of the Postcolonial World
- ENGL 3520 African American Literary Traditions II: After 1900
- ENGL 3625 The Sacramental Imagination: Modern American Catholicism in Literature, Rhetoric, and Film
- ENGL 4500 The Age of Romanticism
- ENGL 4530 Medicine, Mind, and Victorian Fiction
- ENGL 4720 Contemporary American Literature
- ENGL 4830 Post-1900 African American Literature
Electives:
- Students must complete 12 credits of ENGL electives, which can be chosen from the following options:
- One 3-credit ENGL course at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level
- Three 3-credit ENGL courses at the 3000- or 4000-level
- Students can also choose to complete a concentration in Creative Writing, Research Intensive English, or Rhetoric, Writing and Technology.
Concentrations:
- Creative Writing Concentration:
- Students choose 9 credits of ENGL courses at the 3000- and/or 4000-level with the Creative Writing attribute.
- Students choose 3 credits of either an elective ENGL literature course at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level or an additional ENGL course with the Creative Writing attribute.
- Research Intensive English Concentration:
- Students complete two 3-credit ENGL courses at the 4000-level with the Research Intensive English attribute.
- Students complete ENGL 4990 Senior Honors Project (or another ENGL course at the 4000-level with the Research Intensive English attribute).
- Rhetoric, Writing and Technology Concentration:
- Students complete four 3-credit ENGL courses at the 3000- or 4000-level with the Rhetoric, Writing & Technology attribute.
Course Schedule:
The program provides recommended semester-by-semester plans of study (roadmaps) for the general major and each concentration.
Teaching:
The English major emphasizes discussion, critical thinking, and reflection in small classes. Students have the opportunity to work with faculty mentors on research and creative projects.
Careers:
The program prepares students for careers that require excellent analytical and communication skills and a creative spirit. SLU English graduates have worked in various fields, including:
- Editing at major New York publishing houses
- Law (business and commercial litigation, federal clerkships)
- Creative sector (digital strategy, advertising, film writing, directing, and producing)
- Consulting for tech firms
- Workforce management
- Government and nonprofit agencies
Other:
- The English department offers opportunities for students to supplement their regular course of study with research experiences, internships, and community-based learning.
- The department provides support to students who present original research at national and regional undergraduate conferences.
- SLU English students participate in projects such as The Saint Louis Story: Learning & Living Racial Justice, a collaborative digital humanities research endeavor.
- The English department sponsors credit-bearing internships in fields like law, publishing, marketing, business, arts, and media.
- Students can complete all or part of the English major at SLU's campus in Madrid.
- 2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution.
Saint Louis University
Overview:
Saint Louis University (SLU) is a Jesuit Catholic university with a rich history spanning over 200 years. It is known for its commitment to academic excellence, student-centered approach, and research-driven environment. SLU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences, law, medicine, nursing, and more.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
SLU provides a vibrant and supportive campus community with a strong emphasis on student involvement. Students can participate in a variety of clubs, organizations, and activities, including athletics, service learning, and cultural events. The university also offers resources for student well-being, such as counseling services and wellness programs.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Academic Excellence:
SLU is recognized for its high-quality academic programs and dedicated faculty.Experiential Learning:
The university emphasizes hands-on learning through internships, research opportunities, and study abroad programs.Supportive Community:
SLU fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment where students can connect with peers, faculty, and staff.Billiken Promise:
This program offers admitted undergraduate students a range of benefits, including virtual internships, guaranteed study abroad opportunities, and flexible scholarships.Academic Programs:
SLU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Undergraduate:
94 bachelor's degree programsGraduate:
88 master's degree programsProfessional:
Programs in law, medicine, and other fieldsThe university is particularly known for its strengths in the following areas:
Health Sciences:
Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, and other related fieldsBusiness:
Finance, Marketing, Management, and EntrepreneurshipLaw:
Legal studies and practiceArts and Sciences:
Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural SciencesOther:
SLU has a beautiful residential campus located in Midtown St. Louis, Missouri. The university also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, offering study abroad opportunities for students.
Entry Requirements:
- Freshman:
- Graduation from an accredited high school, or an acceptable HiSET exam score, or a General Education Development (GED) test.
- Transfer:
- Graduation from an accredited high school, or an acceptable score on the GED.
- Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the freshman admission requirements.
- Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
- International Applicants:
- All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students.
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency (see below).
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University.
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- International Applicants:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency.