Return to: Programs of Study

Program Description:

The English major provides a balanced program of introductory and advanced work in British, American and Anglophone postcolonial literature, English language and linguistics, and writing. The program offers students the chance to engage in a major humanistic discipline, the study of literature, which is challenging and enriching in itself. The English major also provides sound professional training for those interested in middle school, high school or college teaching; the teaching of English as a second language; business or technical writing; or graduate work; and the program is an excellent background for students entering professional schools or planning business careers.

The English major offers five concentrations that have been designed to meet the needs of students with a general interest in literature and of those with special interests in writing or teaching. Students seeking a strong background in literature, history, theory, and analysis should take the literature concentration in English, which combines the historical and critical study of literature with innovative approaches to critical methods, women’s studies, nontraditional literatures, and non-Western literature in English. The concentration in English with an emphasis on creative writing offers students a full series of introductory and advanced creative writing courses. The concentration in English with an emphasis on professional writing gives interested students a strong combination of literature and professional writing instruction, including course work in technical writing, professional editing, and document design. The concentration in English with an emphasis on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) provides a combination of advanced work in applied linguistics with training in current methods of language teaching.

Finally, the concentration in English with an emphasis on Integrated Language Arts offers a combination of courses in literature, communication, language study, and pedagogy for students interested in seeking licensure to teach English and language arts in middle schools or high schools.

In choosing electives, students should try to select, in consultation with the departmental advisor, courses that complement their major interest and form a coherent unit of study or courses that provide an appropriate career-oriented concentration.

English Honors Program:

The honors program in English is designed to encourage and recognize superior academic accomplishments by English undergraduates. With the approval of the chair of the English department and the departmental honors advisor, students who meet the eligibility standards may enter the English honors program before the beginning of their senior year. Students may be admitted to the program on the recommendation of any member of the English department faculty, or students may petition to enter the program. Under the direction of a faculty tutor, students in the honors program will complete an honors project that culminates in their writing an honors thesis or project report. For further information on eligibility and enrollment, students should consult the departmental honors advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes:

All graduates with a B.A. in English will be:

• Informed readers, able to formulate readings of texts based on their knowledge of literary historical contexts and of basic critical strategies;
• Skilled writers, able to develop a thesis and sustain a coherent written argument about literature using secondary sources.

Students in the Literature Concentration will also be:

• Familiar with works in the Anglo-American literary tradition and other literatures written in English;
• Familiar with and able to use the terms of literary analysis.

Students in the Creative Writing Concentration will also be:

• Familiar with the discipline of creative writing and the value of criticism in the creative process;
• Able to write in their chosen creative forms.

Students in the Professional Writing Concentration will also be:

• Familiar with the fields of professional writing and the primary writing conventions and skills needed in several fields;
• Able to create and edit appropriate professional and/or technical documents.

Students in the TESOL Concentration will also be:

• Familiar with the nature of language, the structure of English, and the fundamentals of language teaching;
• Able to develop a classroom pedagogy informed by their understanding of language.

Students in the Integrated Language Arts Concentration will also be:

• Familiar with the fundamentals of teaching language arts at the high school and middle school levels;
• Able to develop an approach to Language Arts teaching informed by their understanding of literature and language.

For additional information:

• English, BA
• School of Humanities and Cultural Studies
• College of Liberal Arts

Concentrations

Creative Writing Concentration

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

ELEMENT 1 - COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2 - MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3 - GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4 - ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5 - SOCIAL SCIENCES: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 HOURS

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSE: 6 HOURS

II. Departmental Requirements: 36 Hours

ENGLISH CORE REQUIREMENTS

• ENG 3060 - Introduction to Literary Study Credit Hour(s): 3
• One Upper Level English Elective from ENG 3000-4990 Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE SURVEY EACH FROM TWO OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

A) ENG 3210, ENG 3220, ENG 3230 
B) ENG 3310, ENG 3320 
C) ENG 3400, ENG 3420, ENG 3430, ENG 3440 

TWO 4000-LEVEL LITERATURE COURSES FROM

• ENG 4200 - Studies in British Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4300 - Studies in American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4430 - Studies in Literature, Gender and Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4440 - Studies in Ethnic and Regional Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4450 - Studies in Literary Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4460 - Studies in Literary Genres and Themes Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4470 - Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE COURSE IN LANGUAGE OR RHETORIC FROM

• ENG 4610 - Rhetoric, Culture and Persuasion Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4710 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4720 - History of the English Language Credit Hour(s): 3

CREATIVE WRITING CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Either (poetry writing sub-group)

• ENG 3820 - Introduction to Poetry Writing Credit Hour(s): 3 and
• ENG 4820 - Advanced Poetry Writing Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
• and ENG 3830 Introduction to Fiction Writing Credit Hour(s): 3

• OR (fiction writing sub-group)

• ENG 3830 - Introduction to Fiction Writing Credit Hour(s): 3 and
• ENG 4830 - Advanced Fiction Writing Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
• and ENG 3820 Introduction to Poetry Writing Credit Hour(s): 3

TWO COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING (INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE COURSE AT THE 4000 LEVEL): 6 HOURS

• ENG 3840 - Introduction to Dramatic Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4820 - Advanced Poetry Writing Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3  (if fiction subgroup) or
• ENG 4830 - Advanced Fiction Writing Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3  (if poetry subgroup)
• ENG 4810 - Internship in Creative Writing Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3  (must total 3 credits)
• ENG 4850 - Special Topics in Creative Writing Credit Hour(s): 3  (can be taken twice if different topics)

III. Related Requirements

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 12-16 HOURS

THROUGH 2020 LEVEL (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) OF ONE LANGUAGE: 12 HOURS

Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other.

METHODS OF INQUIRY

• PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
• Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 24-28 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

• English, Creative Writing (3 yr) (GPS)

• English, Creative Writing (GPS)

Integrated Language Arts/English Education Concentration

Program Description

Students who wish to teach English or Integrated Language Arts for grades 7-12 in Ohio public schools should pursue the B.A. in English: Integrated Language Arts Education with licensure pathway. Prior to January 15 of the junior year, students apply to be admitted to the licensure program in the College of Health, Education, and Human Services. Students completing the B.A. in English: Integrated Language Arts (ILA) with licensure pathway and state licensure requirements are eligible to seek licensure from the Ohio Department of Education for Adolescence/Young Adult: Integrated Language Arts (AYA:ILA).

Admission Requirements

For admission to the major in English: Integrated Language Arts, students must achieve an overall GPA of 2.6 or above after completion of 30 credit hours.

To maintain academic standing in the English: Integrated Language Arts program and eligibility to continue ILA coursework, student must maintain at least a 2.6 GPA throughout their undergraduate program.

Note:  Again, students who seek AYA:ILA licensure in the state of Ohio should apply for admission to the licensure program in the College of Health, Education, and Human Services prior to January 15 of their junior year.  Once admitted to the licensure program, students may take 4000-level education courses required for licensure.  While students may earn a B.A. in English: Integrated Language Arts without completing the licensure pathway during their senior year, they will not be licensed to teach. 

Registration for ILA Courses

To register for ILA courses (ENG 3520, 3530, 3560, 3570, or 4560), students must officially be an ILA major or seek permission to enroll in those courses.

Maintaining Academic Standing in ILA

To continue in the ILA program, students must maintain a 2.6 GPA throughout the undergraduate program. Students also must maintain a C or better in all English and Teacher Education classes in order to be admitted into the licensure program. Please note students must have at least a 2.6 GPA for admission into the licensure program.

If students fall below these requirements, a block will be placed on their ability to register for courses. They will need to see a College of Liberal Arts advisor to discuss this block.

Registering for the Pearson Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) English Language Arts Test

To be a licensed ILA teacher in Ohio, students must pass the Pearson OAE content exam for English language arts. Students must pass the OAE ELA content exam (score of 220) before they can student teach full-time (typically spring of the senior year). Consider taking the test with time to re-take it in case there are issues (e.g., spring or summer prior to the licensure year).  Pearson requires a 30-day waiting period before re-taking an exam.  Be sure to designate Wright State as a recipient of your scores, and allow time for official scores and sub-scores to be received by WSU. The ELA content test should be #020, but please check that Pearson has not changed the test number.

Professional Organizations

There are several professional organizations we encourage ILA students to consider joining:

WSU-NCTE is our university chapter of the National Council of Teachers of English and is open to all students interested in teaching English at any level, elementary through college. The organization provides support for students studying to take the Pearson OAE English Language Arts test, conducts fundraisers, supports local teachers with resources and classroom texts, and offers information on the licensure application, program, and careers in education. To learn more, or to inquire about becoming an officer, please contact Dr. Angela Beumer Johnson at angela.johnson@wright.edu.

Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (OCTELA) is the Ohio affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English that supports classroom teachers with resources, censorship issues, and serves as a liaison between Ohio educators and the Ohio Department of Education and legislators. OCTELA publishes Ohio Journal of English Language Arts (OJELA), a nationally-recognized journal for English language arts researchers and educators at all levels. They also have an annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, a great place to meet authors, regional teachers, administrators, and view presentations by area teachers and researchers. The conference cost is reduced for students, and membership and a subscription to OJELA are included in the conference fees. Visit the OCTELA website for more information.

We strongly encourage ILA candidates to take advantage of professional memberships during their time as students in our program. Student rates are significantly reduced, and these memberships often lead to incredible professional development, employment, and networking opportunities within and outside of the Ohio area. Teachers who enjoy nurturing their own passion are teachers who stay energized. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students will be:

• Familiar with theory and pedagogy in Adolescence/Young Adult Integrated Language Arts
• Able to develop an approach to language arts teaching informed by their  understandings of literature and language and their understandings of the AYA:ILA content area standards
• Prepared through coursework for the initial stages of licensure in the AYA:ILA content area

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

ELEMENT 1 - COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2 - MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3 - GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

Required:

• ED 2800 - Cultural Humility for Working with Youth Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 4 - ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5 - SOCIAL SCIENCES: 6 HOURS

Required

• ED 2700 - Introduction to Educational Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• EDS 2900 - Individuals with Exceptionalities Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 HOURS

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSE: 6 HOURS

Required

• ED 2600 - Introduction to Education Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Departmental Requirements: 39 Hours

 Notes: One course must feature works of Shakespeare (eligible courses include ENG 3210 , ENG 3550 , or any course from ENG 4200 -ENG 4470 with the characters “Ss” at the end of the course title).

Students must earn a grade of C or better in every English and Education course.

ENGLISH CORE REQUIREMENTS

• ENG 3060 - Introduction to Literary Study Credit Hour(s): 3
• One upper level English elective from ENG 3000-4990 Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE BRITISH LITERATURE SURVEY FROM

• ENG 3210 - British Texts: Medieval to 17th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3220 - British Texts: 1660 to Later 19th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3230 - British Texts: Mid-19th to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE AMERICAN LITERATURE SURVEY FROM

• ENG 3310 - American Texts: Colonial -1890 Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3320 - American Texts: to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE NON-WESTERN LITERATURE SURVEY:

• ENG 3400 - Studies in African Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3420 - Post-Colonial Texts Credit Hour(s): 3

TWO 4000-LEVEL LITERATURE COURSES, ONE OF WHICH MUST FEATURE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE, FROM

• ENG 4200 - Studies in British Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4300 - Studies in American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4430 - Studies in Literature, Gender and Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4440 - Studies in Ethnic and Regional Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4450 - Studies in Literary Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4460 - Studies in Literary Genres and Themes Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4470 - Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Credit Hour(s): 3 or

• One 4000-level literature course and

• ENG 3550 - Teaching Shakespeare through Performance and Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE COURSE IN LINGUISTICS

• ENG 4710 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hour(s): 3

INTEGRATED LANGUAGE ARTS COURSES

• ENG 3520 - Writing Pedagogy for Integrated Language Arts Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3530 - Young Adult Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3560 - Writing Workshop Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 3570 - Reading Workshop Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4560 - Integrated Language Arts Curriculum Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Related Requirements: 5 Hours

• ED 3700 - Communication Arts for Educators Credit Hour(s): 3
• ED 2650 - Early Field Experience I: Introduction to the Education Profession Credit Hour(s): 1
• ED 2750 - Early Field Experience II: Introduction to Educational Psychology Credit Hour(s): 1

• *Note: Students must apply for a field placement (ED 2650, ED 2750, and licensure year) through the Office of Partnerships and Field Experience (OPFE) by September 15 for a spring field placement, and January 15 for a fall field placement.  See the Office of Partnerships and Field Experiences.

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 12-16 HOURS

THROUGH 2020 LEVEL (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) OF ONE LANGUAGE: 12 HOURS

Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, Russian, Italian, Japanese, American Sign Language or other.

METHODS OF INQUIRY

• PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
• ED 4600 - Adolescent and Young Adult and Multi-Age Assessment and Measurement in Education Credit Hour(s): 3

• (If not admitted to or not pursuing licensure program, see advisor regarding CoLA Research Methods courses.)

V. Electives: 16-20 Hours

If admitted to the College of Health, Education, and Human Services licensure program, see your ILA advisor and the Graduate Planning Strategy sheet for licensure courses to take for this category.

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

• English, Integrated Language Arts Education (3 yr) (GPS)

    

• English, Integrated Language Arts Education (GPS)

     

Literature Concentration

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

ELEMENT 1 - COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2 - MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3 - GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4 - ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5 - SOCIAL SCIENCES: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 HOURS

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 6 HOURS

II. Departmental Requirements: 36 Hours

ENGLISH CORE REQUIREMENTS

• ENG 3060 - Introduction to Literary Study Credit Hour(s): 3
• One upper level English elective from ENG 3000-4990 Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE SURVEY EACH FROM TWO OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

A) ENG 3210 , ENG 3220 , ENG 3230 
B) ENG 3310 , ENG 3320 
C) ENG 3400, ENG 3420 , ENG 3430, ENG 3440 

TWO 4000-LEVEL LITERATURE COURSES FROM

• ENG 4200 - Studies in British Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4300 - Studies in American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4430 - Studies in Literature, Gender and Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4440 - Studies in Ethnic and Regional Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4450 - Studies in Literary Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4460 - Studies in Literary Genres and Themes Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4470 - Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE COURSE IN LANGUAGE OR RHETORIC FROM

• ENG 4610 - Rhetoric, Culture and Persuasion Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4710 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hour(s): 3
• ENG 4720 - History of the English Language Credit Hour(s): 3

LITERATURE CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• One additional survey from the remaining category above (A, B, or C)
• Two additional 4000-level literature courses from 4200-4470
• One additional 3000- or 4000-level English course
• One course from ENG 4110 or ENG 4190 

*One course must cover literature before 1900 (eligible courses include ENG 3210, ENG 3220, ENG 3230, ENG 3310, ENG 3320, or any course from 4200-4470 with the characters “B19” at the end of the course title); one course must cover literature after 1900 (eligible courses include ENG 3230, ENG 3320, or any course from 4200-4470 with the characters “A19” at the end of the course title).

III. Related Requirements

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

THROUGH 2020 LEVEL (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) OF ONE LANGUAGE: 12-16 HOURS

Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other.

METHODS OF INQUIRY

• PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
• Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 24-28 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

• English, Literature (3 yr) (GPS)

• English, Literature (GPS)

Professional Writing Concentration

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

ELEMENT 1 - COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2 - MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3 - GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4 - ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5 - SOCIAL SCIENCES: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 HOURS

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 6 HOURS

II. Departmental Requirements: 36 Hours

ENGLISH CORE REQUIREMENTS

• ENG 3060 - Introduction to Literary Study Credit Hour(s): 3
• One upper level English elective from ENG 3000-4990 Credit Hour(s): 3

ONE SURVEY EACH FROM TWO OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

A) ENG 3210 , ENG 3220 , ENG 3230 
B) Study Details:-->

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