Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2011-2012 > Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts > English > English Undergraduate Program

English Undergraduate Program

Up one level:

English

English Department Mission

Believing that literature is a profound expression of human experience, the English Department uses a range of critical methods to introduce students to literatures in English from a variety of cultural traditions. The course work reveals the art form’s creative beauty, strategies for representing the human experience, and its power to shape the reader.

The English Department encourages an understanding of the critical and creative union of reading and writing as fundamental to the processes of developing the self. Through their imaginations, students who major or minor in English interact with language and literature, thereby encountering another equally open and attentive mind: that of the writer they are reading or of the reader who comes to the work they have created. As students of the literary arts, English majors and minors prepare for a lifetime of reading and writing, enlightenment and fulfillment, learning to do what Toni Morrison describes as a dance of two minds.

A Note on the Core: English majors and minors must take a course to satisfy the University’s core literature requirement, and this course is separate from and in addition to the courses taken to fulfill the English major and minor requirements.

English Student Learning Outcomes

English majors know:

The history of literatures in the English language
A variety of critical theories
The range of creative choices made by the literary artist.

English majors are able to:

Read literary texts closely and carefully
Interpret analytically and innovatively using a variety of critical and theoretical approaches
Write creatively and effectively
Perceive and express the artistry, ideas, and social significance of language.

English majors value:

The ways in which literature represents human experience
The affect of literature on the artist and reader
The artistry of precise and elegant expression.

Major Requirements

Please note that English majors may take no more than ten upper division English courses and have them count toward graduation.

A student wishing to declare the English major must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of C (2.0).

Lower Division Requirements for all emphases (12 semester hours):

ENGL 201 and either ENGL 200 or 202; ENGL 203 and 204.

A grade of C (2.0) is required in each premajor course before qualifying for upper division status as an English major. Students transferring into the Department after their sophomore year may enroll in upper division courses in the major concurrently with the premajor courses. Students must complete all upper division courses in the major with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in order to maintain status as English majors. Failure to maintain this standard or failure to make sufficient progress toward completion of the major will result in probation or disqualification from the Department.

Upper Division Requirements:

There are three programs for the major in English.

English majors should officially declare an emphasis no later than the first semester of their junior year.

I. The English Major: Literature Emphasis

27 semester hours in upper division courses. Up to six of these semester hours may be taken in writing classes.

Upper Division Requirements:

ENGL 321 or 322.

ENGL 371 or 372.

One course in English or American Literature prior to 1800 (excluding Shakespeare).

Two courses in English or American Literature after 1800.

One course in Theory (consult with your advisor).

One course in Comparative/Cultural Literatures or Writing (includes any course in multi-ethnic literature, gender-based literature, world literature, or foreign language literature in translation. Check with your advisor to determine which courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.)

6 additional upper division semester hours (excluding ENGL 402).

Total lower division and upper division: 39 semester hours

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be obtained in each course in the major.

II. The English Major: Writing Emphasis

27 semester hours in upper division courses.

Upper Division Requirements:

ENGL 321 or 322.

ENGL 371 or 372.

One course in English or American Literature before or after 1800 (excluding Shakespeare).

Three upper division writing courses (excluding ENGL 402 and 569).

One course in Theory (consult with your advisor).

One course in Comparative/Cultural Literatures or Writing (includes any multi-ethnic writing or literature course, gender-based writing or literature course, world writing or literature course, or any foreign language literature course in translation. Check with your advisor to determine which courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.)

3 additional upper division semester hours (excluding ENGL 402).

Total lower division and upper division: 39 semester hours.

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be obtained in each course in the major.

III. The English Major: Secondary Teacher Preparation Program for English

For information on this program, see the Secondary Teacher Preparation Program section in this Bulletin.

Minor Requirements

A student wishing to declare the English minor must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of C (2.0).

18 semester hours beyond 100-level courses, including:

ENGL 200, 201, or 202.

One survey course: ENGL 203, 204, 371, or 372.

One pre-1800 course [including Shakespeare] (if a student takes 203 or 371 to fulfill this requirement, then the student must take a second "survey" course from 203, 204, 371, or 372).

Nine upper division semester hours in English (excluding ENGL 402).

A minimum grade of C (2.0) must be obtained in each course in the minor.

Minor in Screenwriting for English Majors

The School of Film and Television offers a minor as an option to students majoring in the writing emphasis in the English Department. The minor consists of 18 semester hours. Check for the full description of the minor under the Screenwriting section of this Bulletin.

Pre-Journalism Curriculum

Although LMU doesn’t offer a Journalism major or minor, a large number of LMU graduates have gone on to successful careers or graduate work in Journalism. These students, who have usually majored or minored in English or majored in Communication Studies, have taken advantage of a number of exciting LMU courses. (Note: Some of the courses you take for the Certificate may also be counted toward your major or minor in English, or your core.) These courses make up the LMU "Journalism Curriculum" and "Journalism Certificate" and are particularly recommended for students who intend pursuing a Masters or Ph.D. in Journalism, or who plan to work as a Freelance journalist, PR or Advertising professional, in corporate communications or for a newspaper or magazine. No students need complete all of the courses listed below, but a healthy sampling will stand a future journalist in good stead and will assist in admission to most graduate programs in journalism across the country. The "certificate" appears as a line on the student’s final transcript, and may be referenced in a student’s resumé. (You will not receive a frameable certificate from the Office of the Registrar.)

It is important to note that a working journalist often develops a specialization in a particular area, such as sports, entertainment, or politics. Elective courses in these areas would, of course, be useful. The Journalism Curriculum includes Political Science courses specifically since local, state, and national politics have an impact on most news, and politics is considered an important working knowledge base for any journalist. Ethics coursework from the Philosophy Department is also included, as ethics are a concern at the forefront of a career in Journalism. Interdisciplinary Applied Programs contributes a selection of PR coursework. Students may elect one course from PHIL, or one course from POLS, or one course from IDAP courses listed. Five (5) Journalism Certificate courses must be selected from the English courses listed. Consult Dr. Linda Bannister to make sure your program fulfills the certificate requirements.

Eligible Courses: Journalism Certificate

English Department Courses

ENGL 301	Writing for Journalism I: Workshop
ENGL 302	Writing the Article: Workshop
ENGL 304	Writing for Advertising
ENGL 381	Journalism and New Media
ENGL 401	Writing for Journalism II: Workshop
ENGL 402	Writing Internship in Media
ENGL 403	Non-Fiction Workshop
ENGL 405	Literary Non-Fiction Workshop
ENGL 406	Journalism: The Interview: Workshop
ENGL 407	Reviewing the Arts
ENGL 408	Journalism: Editing Workshop
ENGL 460	Hard News to Blogs: Post-1800 Journalism
ENGL 463	The Art of the Essay
ENGL 469	Practicum in Journalism I
ENGL 470	Practicum in Journalism II
ENGL 498	Writing the Feature
ENGL 498	Publishing a Journal
ENGL 498	Journalism and Society
ENGL 498	Writing the Moment: New Media
ENGL 498	Journalism: Telling L.A.'s Story
ENGL 498	Journalism: The Age of Content
ENGL 562	Contemporary Rhetorical Theory
ENGL 567	Style in Writing
ENGL 574	Rhetoric and Media
ENGL 575	The Art of Rhetoric

Interdisciplinary Applied Programs Courses

IDAP 300	Principles of Public Relations
IDAP 320	Broadcast Writing
IDAP 340	Video Production for Public Relations
IDAP 498	Writing for Public Relations
IDAP 498	Product PR: Classroom as an Agency

Philosophy Department Courses

PHIL 328	Media Ethics
PHIL 330	Contemporary Moral Problems

Political Science Department Courses

POLS 135	Contemporary American Politics
POLS 332	Campaigns and Elections
POLS 339	Media and Politics
POLS 385	Political Films and Media
POLS 423	Political Rhetoric
POLS 435	The Politics of California
POLS 436	Politics of Los Angeles

Selecting Courses

Students interested in assembling a Pre-Journalism Curriculum should review each semester’s course offerings across the colleges, paying particular attention to special studies courses focusing on journalistic issues, media topics, or related fields. Students may consult with Dr. Linda Bannister, Journalism Certificate Advisor, (lbannist@lmu.edu, 310.338.2854, UH 3875), to determine which special or new courses may be appropriate. The Journalism Certificate eligible courses offered by the College of Communication and Fine Arts (IDAP courses) require the permission of Dr. Dean Scheibel, Director, Interdisciplinary Applied Programs (dscheibel@lmu.edu).

Note: Although there is no set sequence for taking Pre-Journalism courses, some of the above listed courses may carry prerequisite courses that must be completed first. Students interested in journalism are also strongly advised to participate in LMU’s award-winning student newspaper The Los Angeles Loyolan, The Tower Yearbook, The ROAR Network, and/or The Marymount Institute Press.

Obtaining the Journalism Certificate

A Journalism Certificate can be issued to the students who successfully completes 18 semester hours of approved Journalism coursework (earning a C [2.0] or better in each course). The bulk of the student’s curriculum, at least 5 of 6 courses selected, should consist of writing courses from the Journalism coursework offered by the English Department. Students should bring a transcript showing 18 semester hours of accepted, completed coursework to Dr. Linda Bannister in University Hall 3875 at least one month prior to intended graduation with appropriate courses highlighted. Notice of Certificate approval will be forwarded by e-mail to the Office of the Registrar and the student by Dr. Bannister. Students who seek a certificate can be advised on how to create a program that focuses on their area of interest; for example, political reporting, sports reporting, electronic media, etc.

Note: This certificate program is not a major or a minor. No application or Change of Program paperwork from the Office of the Registrar is required. You need only e-mail your interest to Dr. Bannister to sign up.

Get on our mailing list ASAP to learn of Journalism events on campus. E-mail your contact information (e-mail, cell, mailing address) to Dr. Bannister at lbannist@lmu.edu.