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English

Contact A.S. Lang, Director of Undergraduate Studies, 420 Hall of Languages, 315-443-2173.

Faculty Crystal Bartolovich, Michael Burkard, Dympna Callaghan, Steven Cohan, Michael J.C. Echeruo, Susan Edmunds, Arthur Flowers, Ken Frieden, Mike Goode, Roger Hallas, Brooks Haxton, Mary Karr, Christopher Kennedy, Claudia Klaver, Gregg Lambert, Amy Schrager Lang, Scott Lyons, Erin S. Mackie, Patricia A. Moody, Kevin Morrison, Peter Mortenson, Donald E. Morton, Patricia Roylance, George Saunders, Stephanie Shirilan, Bruce Smith, Dana Spiotta, Sanford Sternlicht, Harvey Teres, Greg Thomas, Silvio Torres-Saillant, David Yaffee

The Department of English offers programs in textual and cultural studies, with special emphasis on literary history, criticism, and theory. Courses deal with such problems as the nature and implications of reading and interpretation, the production of meaning in language and culture, and the nature of literary forms. The curriculum also includes courses in creative writing.
    Students who wish to major in English and Textual Studies should consult the ETS coordinator to be assigned an appropriate advisor, who helps plan the course of study. Students may consult the department chair about the curriculum at any time.
    Some students majoring in English and Textual Studies may wish to apply for a dual enrollment with another school or college within the University, such as the School of Information Studies, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, or the School of Education. Those interested in certification to teach English should see “Education/Arts and Sciences (dual program)” in this section of the catalog.
    Students must have departmental approval to become candidates for honors or distinction in English and Textual Studies.
    For more information, see our web site at english.syr.edu.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
To qualify for a B.A. degree in English and Textual Studies, students complete a total of 30 credits of coursework. These credits include ETS 242 and one course chosen from among the following: ETS 113,114,115,117,118,119,121,142,145,151,152,153,154,181,182,184, and 192. (Advanced Placement credit does not count toward this requirement.) The remaining 24 credits are in courses numbered above 299 and must include ETS 305. Five other courses (15 credits) are chosen from among the courses listed in three basic groups whose conceptual orientation is historical (middle digit 1 or 2), theoretical (middle digit 3 or 4), or political (middle digit 5 or 6). Two of these five courses must be in material predominantly before 1900. The remaining two courses (6 credits) may be chosen from the three basic groups or from among the creative writing courses (ETS) or Writing Program courses (WRT), Literature in Translation courses (LIT) numbered above 299. Upper-division creative writing courses require a writing sample and permission of the instructor; ETS majors are not given preference.
    Students dually enrolled in the School of Education include the following among the 24 credits of upper-division courses: ETS 325; a course in Shakespeare; a course with multicultural content; and either WRT 301, 303, 307, or 428.

Minor in English and Textual Studies

The English and Textual Studies minor, designed to supplement a major program in another department or college, requires 18 credits of coursework. Six credits must be in courses at the 100 or 200 level (lower division). Advanced placement credit does not count toward this requirement. 12 credits must be in courses numbered above 299 (upper division). It is recommended that one of the lower division courses be ETS 242 Reading and Interpretation. Students with a special interest in writing may include among their upper division courses one course offered by the Writing Program (WRT) numbered above 299.
Although students are free to choose particular courses according to their interests, the following models are offered for those wishing to give their minor program further definition or structure.

• Historical Emphasis
Recommended courses: ETS 242 and either ETS 115 British Literary History, ETS 119 U.S. Literary History, or the survey courses ETS 113,114,117, or 118, plus 12 credits chosen from among upper-division ETS courses in the history group (courses whose second digit is 1 or 2).

• Theoretical Emphasis
Recommended courses: ETS 242 Reading and Interpretation, ETS 305 Critical Analysis, and ETS 345 Critical Theory; 3 more lower-division credits, plus 6 chosen from among upper-division ETS courses in the theory group (courses whose second digit is 3 or 4).

• Political Emphasis
Recommended courses: ETS 242 and either ETS 181 Class and Literary Texts, ETS 182 Race and Literary Texts, ETS 184 Ethnicity and Literary Texts, or ETS 192 Gender and Literary Texts, plus 12 credits chosen from among upper-division ETS courses in the politics group (courses whose second digit is 5 or 6).

• Film Emphasis
Recommended courses: ETS 242 and ETS 154 Interpretation of Film, plus 12 credits chosen from among upper-division ETS courses on film topics (as indicated by “Film” or “Cinema” in the section title.)

• Creative Writing Emphasis
Recommended courses: 6 lower-division credits, preferably including either ETS 215 Sophomore Poetry Workshop or ETS 217 Sophomore Fiction Workshop, and either ETS 107 Living Writers, ETS 151 Interpretation of Poetry, ETS 152 Interpretation of Drama, or ETS 153 Interpretation of Fiction; 12 upper division credits, preferably including 3 credits of ETS 401 Advanced Poetry Workshop, or ETS 403 Advanced Fiction Workshop (each of these requires a writing sample and instructor’s permission). Advanced students may occasionally obtain the instructor’s permission to enroll in a graduate level workshop (ENG 615 Open Poetry Workshop or ENG 617 Open Fiction Workshop) or “forms” course (ENG 650).

• Declaring a minor
To declare an ETS minor, come to the English Undergraduate Office (420 Hall of Languages) and fill out a Declaration of Minor form. A copy of the form must be filed with your home college.