The Undergraduate Program in English
at Radford University

The English Major

The English major incorporates a writing-intensive requirement that integrates instruction in writing and the use of writing as a powerful learning tool into the whole curriculum, following a sequenced and coordinated plan.  Students take four writing-intensive courses throughout the major:  ENGL 300 (Introduction to English Studies), ENGL 470 (The Author in Context), ENGL 496 (Senior Seminar), and one additional writing-intensive course of their choice that will also serve as either one of the electives or one of the requirements for the major.

Requirements  

(For students and advisors:  English Major Posting Sheet)

ENGL 300:  Introduction to English Studies

ENGL 340:  American Literary History (Colonial Period to the Present)

ENGL 330:  British Literary History I (700-1700) OR

ENGL 331:  British Literary History II (1700 to the Present)                                           

One 400-level British literary period course (in the opposite period from the Literary History course chosen)  

One 400-level American literary period course      

ENGL 420:  Introduction to Literary Criticism

ENGL 470:  The Author in Context  (offered each semester with different authors)

ENGL 472:  Readings in Shakespeare                                                               

One course in Multicultural, Gender-Specific, or Regional Literature    

One course in Linguistics or Language                                                        .

ENGL 496:  Senior Seminar

4 elective English courses :  these courses may be selected from other alternatives for the requirements above, or a variety of courses in creative writing, practical writing skills, or genre studies.

Students may also choose to dedicate their elective hours to a concentration in English Education, which results in teacher licensure for grades 6-12, or a concentration in Technical and Business Writing.  The department places students with these interests with appropriate faculty advisors at the time they declare the English major.  

English Major Posting Sheet

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The English Minor

The minor requires 21 semester hours, at least 12 of which must be in 300- and 400-level courses. Students in other majors find an English minor valuable in their course work and in their job searches. (The minor in English does not provide licensure to teach English.)

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English Department Courses

For descriptions of the following 100-, 200-, 300-, and 400-level courses please consult  the Undergraduate Catalog.

100-level courses are designed to help students develop their expository writing skills and sharpen their research skills. These courses are part of the general education requirements for all students.

	English 101 Introduction to Expository Writing
	English 102 Reading, Writing, and Research

200-level courses are selected readings of a national or international literature with emphasis on the development of critical reading skills.  Any one course fulfills the General Education requirement for both majors and non-majors.

	English 201 World Literature
	English 202 British Literature
	English 203 American Literature

300- and 400-level courses are designed for students with junior or senior standing. They involve a stronger concentration in literature, writing, and research. These courses, designed for English majors but open to all other students who have completed a 200-level course, provide a more in-depth study of language, literature, and writing. All 400-level literature courses require English 300, Introduction to English Studies as a prerequisite or permission of Chair.

	English 300 Introduction to English Studies
	English 306 Professional Writing
	English 307 Business Writing
	English 309 Fiction Writing
	English 310 Poetry Writing
	English 312 Creative Nonfiction Writing
	English 314 Topics in Literature
	English 321 The Study of Fiction
	English 322 The Study of Poetry
	English 323 The Study of Drama
	English 330 British Literary History I
	English 331 British Literary History II
	English 340 American Literary History
	English 402 Teaching Writing: Theories and Practices
	English 403 Grammar and Style for Writers
	English 406 Advanced Technical Writing
	English 407 Technical Editing
	English 409 Advanced Fiction Writing
	English 410 Advanced Poetry Writing
	English 420 Introduction to Literary Criticism
	English 424 Study of Children's Literature
	English 425 Study of Adolescent Literature
	English 426 Teaching English in the High School
	English 428 Planning and Teaching Seminar
	English 431 Medieval Literature
	English 433 Renaissance Literature
	English 434 Seventeenth-Century Literature
	English 435 Restoration and Eighteenth Century Literature
	English 437 Romanticism
	English 438 Victorian Literature
	English 439 Modern British Literature
	English 442 Early American Literature
	English 443 The American Renaissance
	English 444 American Realism and Naturalism
	English 445 Modern American Literature
	English 446 Appalachian Folklore
	English 447 Appalachian Literature
	English 449 African American Literature
	English 450 Native American Literature
	English 451 Contemporary Literature
	English 453 The Female Literary Tradition
	English 454 Literature and the Environment
	English 463 Grammar and Language for Teachers
	English 464 History of the English Language
	English 465 English Linguistics
	English 470 The Author in Context
	English 472 Readings in Shakespeare
	English 488H Final Honors Project
	English 490 Summer Workshop
	English 495 English Internship
	English 496 Senior Seminar
	English 498 Independent Study

English majors who wish to earn licensure (certification) to teach English take the courses in the English Education concentration for their elective hours, and select ENGL 463 in the language category. As part of their professional education core, they take ENGL 426 as part of their field experience and ENGL 428 during the semester in which they student-teach, and one of the following: COMM 114, COMM 116, COMM 337, or COMM 230. In addition, courses in education from the College of Education and Human Development are required.

Students interested in teaching should apply to the Teacher Education Program through the College of Education and to the English Education program, during the second semester of their sophomore year. The application procedure begins with an information meeting with the English Education Committee. Next, each student writes an impromptu essay on a subject in English Education and submits a sample of his or her best writing. Applicants are notified by mail of the committee's decision. As part of their general education requirements, English Education students must take a U.S. History course. Certification can be transferred to other states, but different states may require different teacher certification exam scores or education courses. 

Technical and Business Writing Minor/Concentration

ENGL 306:  Professional Writing
ENGL 403:  Grammar and Style for Writers
ENGL 406:  Advanced Technical Writing (offered spring only)
ENGL 407:  Technical Editing (offered fall only)

Note:  ENGL 306 is prerequisite for ENGL 406 and 407 but not for ENGL 307.

Recommended schedule of courses for those pursuing the concentration:

Non-majors can earn a minor in technical and business writing by completing those four courses in addition to the nine credit hours of English general education requirements. Students should take ENGL 407 to prepare for ENGL 496, Internship.

Receiving Credit for English Courses

Radford University uses the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject exams and the College Board Advanced Placement and Scholastic Aptitude Tests to award credit for courses. To earn credit for ENGL 101, a student must score 50 on the CLEP Freshman English Test, 670 on the SAT, or 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement test in English Language/Composition.

The score on the appropriate CLEP examination must be at least 50 to receive three semester hours credit for ENGL 201, 202, or 203.

If a student believes that he or she already has the knowledge or skills that English 102 develops, he or she can "challenge" to try to exempt the course. The Challenge Exam allows the student to submit an application and either a portfolio of his or her writing or an examination, depending on the course being challenged. Department faculty judge the quality of the portfolio or examination and determine whether credit should be awarded. The student must pay $25 per credit hour for each course exempted.

The Honors Academy is directed by Dr. Joseph King. Please, consult the Academy's Web Site for details about Honors credits or contact Dr. Jolanta Wawrzycka, the English Department's liaison to the Honors Academy.

The RU Connections program helps new Radford University students make the transition from high school to college. This interdisciplinary program helps students develop college-level study habits and supportive relationships and classmates. RU Connections students are immersed in learning communities centered in their dorms.

Career Opportunities for English Majors

English majors develop skills in communication and analysis that are valuable in many different fields. While many English majors become teachers, others enter business, government, or the professions. The requirements for the English major allow students plenty of time for courses in other disciplines, and some English majors take a minor or a second major in another department to prepare themselves for their career.

Teaching (including college teaching)

English teachers teach several aspects of English at all grade levels: literature, composition, grammar and language, reading, and the history of English. To become a teacher, you must achieve certification by the National Teachers' Association by taking courses in Education and English and passing the National Teachers' Examination. As an English teacher, you increase your students' knowledge and understanding of the English language and literature in English, and develop their oral and written communication skills. Also, teachers help students improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The teaching profession holds many opportunities and rewards for caring, patient individuals who want to help others and share their love of literature. To teach in public schools, you must earn certification in the state you wish to teach in and pass Praxis II.

Creative Writing

In creative writing, people shape their thoughts and feelings into poems, novels, short stories, essays, and other forms of writing. To become a successful creative writer, you must be dedicated and willing to set aside time to devote to your work. For writers, juggling two jobs to maintain a comfortable standard of living is often necessary. However, the personal satisfaction is great--and there is always the possibility that you'll write that best-seller!

Technical and Business Writing

Business and technical writers create documents through reading, writing, and editing skills. Technical and business writers must be able to interpret difficult information and translate it for several types of audiences. Technical and business writers create many types of documents, from memos to proposals to annual reports. Many steps are involved in creating a document, from drafting, rewriting, revising, editing, and proofreading. With today's developing technology, there is a growing demand for business and technical writers who can communicate technical information effectively.

Newswriting (Reporting)

Newswriting is a fast-paced job with deadlines in a sometimes stressful atmosphere. Newswriters must stay ahead of the general public's knowledge to report "news." The work entails fact checking, interviewing, traveling, creating captivating story lines, research, and providing a human touch. Areas of newswriting include newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and television. Newswriters must be able to work under pressure and on several projects at one time. To become a successful newswriter, you need to be dedicated and thorough, and be able to write quickly.

Editing

Editing involves several aspects of English. Editors need strong reading and writing skills and a good foundation in grammar, as well as the ability to make decisions under pressure and feel confident in them. Editors make decisions about the content, organization, and presentation of a writer's work. Editors hold positions in newspapers, magazines, corporations, government agencies, and publishing firms. To be an editor, you should have excellent communication skills (both oral and written), strong interpersonal skills, and a broad educational background.

Historianship

Writing about history requires research. Critical judgment and investigative skills are needed to research dates, statistics, events, and facts. History writers must have good writing skills and be persistent and attentive to detail and accuracy. Writers can do research for corporations (such as advertising firms), television or print medium reporters, historical societies, and museums.

Advertising

The skills developed in English courses can help you communicate with clients and target an advertising audience. You must be able to write well and have strong comprehension skills. Advertising involves writing scripts, ads, fact sheets, capability statements, memos, proposals, and progress reports. Advertising writers communicate simply and clearly to the public, often through catchy phrases and slogans. Advertising also allows creativity and mass communication across media. It requires people who are creative, familiar with computers, and aware of society's tastes.

Business Administration

Business administration involves two important skills English majors develop: comprehension and writing. People who make executive decisions need to be knowledgeable about the world around them and their company or agency. To keep ahead, business administrators must read a variety of documents as well as write them. Business administration and management experts need excellent communication skills, and English majors can supplement their skills and prepare for careers in business with additional course work in economics, management, and other areas in business.

Public Relations

Public relations requires strong oral and written communication skills that English majors develop. Writing assignments in public relations include media releases, articles, correspondence, proposals, and progress reports. Journalism and business writing courses are especially helpful for individuals entering this field. Since public relations requires you to be a mediator between the public and your organization, strong oral and written communication skills are important. Public relations attracts people who have creativity and strong writing, comprehension, and problem-solving skills.

Return to the English Home Page.