English and Textual Studies, BA

Director:

Carol Fadda-Conrey, Director of Undergraduate Studies
411 Hall of Languages
315-443-8790

Faculty

Crystal Bartolovich, Dorri Beam, Michael Burkard, Dympna Callaghan, Jonathan Dee, Susan Edmunds, Carol Fadda-Conrey, Arthur Flowers, Chris Forster, Ken Frieden, Mike Goode, Roger Hallas, Chris Hanson, Brooks Haxton, Mary Karr, Christopher Kennedy, Claudia Klaver, Erin S. Mackie, Patricia Moody, Kevin Morrison, Donald E. Morton, Patricia Roylance, George Saunders, Will Scheibel, Stephanie Shirilan, Bruce Smith, Dana Spiotta, Harvey Teres, Silvio Torres-Saillant, Meina Yates-Richard

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 English Studies Coordinator to be assigned an appropriate advisor, who helps plan the course of study.

Some students majoring in English and Textual Studies may wish to pursue a concentration in either Creative Writing or Film and Screen Studies.

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 “” in the School of Education’s Academic Offerings. Students must have departmental approval to become candidates for honors or distinction in English and Textual Studies. For more information, see the web site at english.syr.edu.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize how meanings are created through acts of critical reading and analysis of texts

2. Analyze texts using theoretical paradigms for literary and cultural studies

3. Analyze texts in relation to their historical contexts

4. Analyze texts as bearers of political and ethical meaning and mediators of power relatioships

5. Analyze texts in relation to their aesthetics

6. Analyze the way texts construct categories of difference, including differences of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, and class

7. Formulate sustained interpretive, analytical, or conceptual arguments based on evidence drawn from texts

8. Develop skills for writing fiction or poetry

Major Requirements

To qualify for a B.A. degree in English and Textual Studies, students complete a total of 30 credits of coursework. Students must attain a grade of C- or better in order to count a course toward their major credits. These credits include:

ETS 242 - Reading and Interpretation

Dually enrolled in the School of Education

Students dually enrolled in the School of Education include the following among the 24 credits of upper-division courses:

Pursuing a concentration in Film and Screen Studies

Students pursuing a concentration in Film and Screen Studies within the ETS major must meet the 100-level requirement by taking , , or . Three of the five upper division ETS critical courses taken must focus on film and screen studies (as indicated by the terms “Film,” “Cinema,” “Media,” and/or “Screen” in the section title). One major elective must be an upper division film or screen studies course, either from ETS or an approved course from another department.

Pursuing a concentration in Creative Writing

Students pursuing a concentration in Creative Writing within the ETS major must take either or as a prerequisite to the advanced workshops. or must be taken to meet the 100-level major requirement. One of the five upper division ETS critical courses taken must be , , or . Both major electives must be advanced creative writing workshops (1 or ).