Program: BAENGPW - Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
The English department constitutes a major humanizing force within the university. Our courses engage with diverse literary and cultural texts, giving our students the opportunity to practice critical reading and effective writing, thus preparing students for career options and advanced study. English majors develop skills in writing, information literacy and research, oral communication, cultural awareness, reading comprehension, and literary analysis.
The English department at Mercyhurst offers a B.A. in English, as well as the following concentrations: Creative Writing, Professional and Technical Writing, Secondary English Education, and Pre-Law. The English department also houses the Theatre Minor and the Film Studies Minor. These programs allow students to personalize their studies while acquiring the breadth of knowledge and skills found in the traditional English major.
The English Department sponsors the Mercyhurst Literary Festival, the Mercyhurst Theatre Program, and Lumen, the campus arts journal. We have a chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, an international honor society formed to recognize English majors and minors who achieve high standards of excellence in their chosen linguistic or literary fields.
English Department Mission Statement
The Department of English offers programs of study that teach students to think critically and imaginatively about literature, language, and culture. Our goal is to produce discerning and creative readers, writers, and thinkers who have the communication skills needed to excel professionally. English majors and minors study challenging American, British and world texts, while cultivating their skills in oral communication, digital literacy, creative writing, research and information literacy, and professional writing.
English majors must maintain an overall 2.0 GPA. English majors with a concentration in Secondary Education preparation must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA and at least a 3.0 GPA in their major courses. English majors must earn a C or better in any course from the major meant to fulfill a degree requirement. No required course in the major may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis.
All English majors are highly encouraged to take an internship and/or study abroad. All majors will undergo a sophomore review with their advisor during their sophomore year of study or upon transferring into the English major.
The English major with a Professional and Technical Writing Concentration allows students to acquire a grounding in the theory and practices of rhetoric in a digital age. The curriculum prepares students to work in a variety of professional settings and master the writing and design strategies that are most effective for the intended audience.
Choose One:
Take the Following:
Choose Two:
200 Level Literature Electives (3 credits)
200 Level Literature Electives (3 credits)
Take the Following:
300 Level Seminar in Literature (3 credits)
300 Level Elective Seminar in 20/21st Century Lit (3 credits)
Choose Two of the Following Electives:
300 Level Seminar in English/Theatre (3 credits)
300 Level Seminar in English/Theatre (3 credits)
Required Courses
ENG 241 Introduction to Professional Writing - 3 credits
ENG 243 Introduction to Technical Writing - 3 credits
ENG 311 Editing and Style - 3 credits
ENG 315 Writing for the Web - 3 credits
ENG 317 Professional and Public Discourse - 3 credits
ENG 386 Grant Writing - 3 credits