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Curriculum in English
The study of English language and literature
is central to an understanding of our culture and our relationship
to it. Mastery of the English language is essential to all of
us at Texas A&M, no matter what our interests or profession.
An awareness of our heritage as it is embodied in great literary
works provides us with a sense of the traditions, ideas, and
rhetorics that have shaped us and our world; and it enables us
to define ourselves and our values in relation to this valued
past. The Department of English offers students an opportunity
to explore our linguistic and literary inheritance. Courses are
offered in British literature, American literature, rhetoric
and composition, creative writing, linguistics, and film. Students
can discover the roots of the English language or learn about
the latest linguistic theories. They can acquire the skills necessary
to be a technical writer and editor or begin to learn the craft
of writing poetry and fiction. They can immerse themselves in
the great tradition of literature from Beowulf to
Virginia Woolf, from Captain John Smith to Thomas Pynchon; and
they can explore the extensions and challenges to that tradition
found in women's writing, ethnic literature, and postmodernist
experimentation. The flexibility of the degree in English and
the options available in the department enable students to pursue
their own interests while acquiring important analytic and writing
skills and discovering the riches of our literary heritage.
English graduates, with relevant minors
or specialized courses outside English, may pursue careers in
technical writing, editing and publishing, government service,
public relations, personnel work, and advertising or administrative
positions in business and industry. The program in English also
provides excellent preparation for later professional training
in law, medicine, business and the ministry, as well as for graduate
work in the humanities, including English. Supported by work
in the College of Education, the English program also may lead
to careers in teaching or educational administration.
Requirements
English. 33 credits in English can
be applied to the degree; at least 21 credits must be in literature.
A grade of C or higher is required for a course to be counted
in the major.
All majors must take the following
courses:
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Credit
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3
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ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric
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3
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ENGL 203, 210, 235, 236, 241, 301
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3
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ENGL 231 Survey of English Literature
I
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All majors must take courses
in the following categories:*
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Credit
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3
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From ENGL 227 American Literature:
Colonial to American Renaissance, ENGL 228 American
Literature: Civil War to Present, ENGL 232 Survey
of English Literature II
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9
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From 300-level courses, in consultation
with an advisor
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6
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From ENGL 412, 414, 415, 431
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3
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ENGL 481 Senior Seminar
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3
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English elective
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Allied requirements. All majors must take
the following courses:
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3
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LING 209
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6
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HIST 213, 435, 436, or 437 and 214,
438, or 439 (Students may substitute an alternative
allied course in the humanities with the permission
of an advisor.)
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College and University Requirements. The
following lists incorporate University Core Curriculum requirements.
No course can be counted in more
than one category.
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Credit
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3
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ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric
(fulfilled by major requirements).
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3
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Communication (3 hours): One course
chosen from: ENGL 203, 210, 235, 236, 241 or 301;
COMM 203 or 243.
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6
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Literature in English (6 hours): To
be selected from ENGL 203 (unless 203 is used to
satisfy the communication requirement), 212, 221,
222, 227, 228, 231, 232, or courses for which one
of these listed courses is a prerequisite.
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14
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Foreign Language (14 hours or equivalent):
Four-course sequence in French, German, Russian,
Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Greek, or Latin unless
permission is received from the department head to
substitute work in another language. This will not
satisfy the college humanities and visual and performing
arts requirement.
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6
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At least 3 hours must be in MATH (excluding
102, 103, 104, 130, 150, 365, 366). Three hours may
be in logic.
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8
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Natural Sciences: Two or more courses;
minimum of one course shall include a corresponding
laboratory. Four hours to be selected from: BIOL
113/123; BOTN 101; CHEM 101, 103/113; GEOL 101; PHYS
201, 218; ZOOL 107. Remaining hours to be selected
from the above courses and/or the following: AGRO
301, 405; ANTH 225; BIOL 114/124; CHEM 102, 104/114,
106/116, 222/242; FRSC 204; GENE 301, 310; GEOG 203/213;
GEOL 106; HORT 201/202; ATMO 301, 304, 326; OCNG
251/252; PHYS 202, 208, 213, 219, 306/307; RENR 205/215;
ZOOL 225.
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9
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Humanities and Visual and Performing
Arts: To be selected from the approved list under
humanities and visual and performing arts in the
University Core Curriculum.
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6
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Social and Behavioral Sciences: To
be selected from social and behavioral science courses
approved for the University Core Curriculum.
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6
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Political Science: POLS 206 and 207.
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6
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Two courses in U.S. history.
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(3)
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International and Cultural Diversity:
To be selected from approved list. This course may
also be used to satisfy any other requirement.
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*2
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Kinesiology: KINE 198 Health and Fitness
Activity and KINE 199 Required Physical Activity.
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15-18
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Minor Field of Study for those who
select a minor.
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11-14
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Minimum Number of Free Electives (English
courses may not be used
as elective hours.)
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128
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Total hours
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The Literature Track
Over 90 percent of our English majors
pursue the Literature Track. Students seeking certification
at the secondary level generally employ the Literature Track
as the foundation for their degrees. This track provides
students with over 30 hours of intensive study in English
language and literature courses, including ENGL 231--Survey
of English Literature to 1800; ENGL 412--Studies in Shakespeare;
and ENGL 481--Senior Seminar on a significant figure, movement,
or issue in literature, linguistics or rhetoric.
The Creative Writing Track
English majors who wish to focus
their efforts in creative writing will follow the usual major
requirements, but will take 9 hours of courses in creative
writing (fiction, poetry or drama) for their English electives,
selecting either a prose sequence (ENGL 235, 345, 347) or
a poetry sequence (ENGL 236, 346, 348). Students will complete
a creative writing project (ENGL 485 or 497) or, with permission,
an ENGL 481, Senior Seminar.
The Rhetoric Track
English majors who wish to concentrate
their studies on the theory and practice of written communication
may take the rhetoric track, by completing 15 hours of course
work in writing and rhetoric including ENGL 353, 354 and
355, 12 hours of literature electives, and a senior seminar.
Selections will be made in consultation with an English advisor
or the Writing Programs Office.
Minor Field of Study
English majors are advised, but not
required, to select a minor field of study. Students who
elect to complete a minor should contact the department or
program that offers the minor to determine the requirements
for that minor. A grade of C or higher is required for a
course to be counted in the minor field. A minor field must
be declared before the student has completed 75 credit hours.
Teacher Certification Programs in English
Teacher Certification in English Language
Arts/Reading. OPTION II (Secondary)
Students desiring certification
by Option II to teach English language arts/reading in
the secondary schools of Texas should consult an undergraduate
English advisor as early as possible. Requirements include
36 semester hours in literature, language, reading, and
rhetoric and composition; and at least 24 hours in a second
teaching field; a computer literacy course; and professional
education courses.
Teacher Certification in English Language
Arts/Reading. OPTION IV (Secondary)
Students desiring certification
by Option IV to teach English language arts/reading in
the secondary schools of Texas should consult an undergraduate
English advisor as early as possible. Option IV, the English
composite, consists of 57 semester hours in literature,
language and language acquisition, rhetoric and composition,
reading, theatre arts, speech communication, and journalism
as well as professional education courses.
Degree and Certification Program for
Middle School in
English Language Arts/Reading
The Department of English offers
a degree and certification program in English language
arts/reading for prospective middle-school teachers. This
program requires 39 hours of literature, linguistics, composition
and rhetoric and 15 hours of reading along with an 18-hour
professional education component.
All students seeking certification
should consult the College of Education section for additional
information.
Professional Writing Certificate
The Professional Writing Certificate
gives students 18 hours of intensive training in a broad
range of communication skills. Students who are eligible
for the minor in English with an emphasis in professional
writing may not participate in the certification program.
English majors (who cannot receive a minor in English) and
students from majors which do not allow for a minor are eligible.
Students who achieve a grade of B or better in all 18 hours
of course work will receive a certificate signifying their
successful completion of this training. Students should allow
at least a year and a half to complete the courses, some
of which are offered only once a year. Transfer courses,
independent studies and credit by exam cannot be counted
toward the 18 hours. Required courses include ENGL 210 or
301, 320, 241 and 355. With the help of the Writing Programs
advisor, the student must also select two additional courses
in rhetoric, speech, journalism or a related field.
Departmental Minors
The Department of English offers
three minors. Students seeking to minor in English, Linguistics,
or English with an emphasis in Professional Writing should
consult with their advisor and with the Office of Undergraduate
Studies in English.
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Minor in English
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Total Credits Required:
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18
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Required Course:
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3 hours
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ENGL 104
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Electives:
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15 hours in English distributed
as follows:
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6 hours at the 200-level
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6 hours at the 300-level
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3 hours at the 400-level
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Minor in Linguistics
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Total Credits Required:
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18
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Required Course:
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3 hours
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LING 209
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Electives:
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15 hours in other linguistics courses.
Students may substitute up to 6 hours of approved
courses with other course prefixes.
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Minor in English
with an Emphasis in Professional Writing
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Total Credits Required:
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18
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Required Courses:
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3 hours
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ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric
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3 hours
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ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical
Writing
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or
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ENGL 301 Technical Writing
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3 hours
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ENGL 320 Technical Editing
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3 hours
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ENGL 353 History of Rhetoric
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3 hours
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ENGL 354 Modern Rhetorical Theory
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3 hours
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ENGL 355 Rhetoric of Style
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