Contents
Catalog Links

English (B.A.) with Literature Concentration

Program Overview

The English program at Messiah University assists students in studying a wide array of literatures using a variety of critical thinking and writing skills to help them become perceptive readers, insightful thinkers, and responsible writers. Professors encourage students to develop perspectives on the relationship of Christian faith to all aspects of literary endeavor.

Because many careers call for close analysis and interpretation of texts as well as fluency in writing, the English major prepares students for success in a variety of fields. Besides the obvious career choices of advanced scholarship, teaching, journalism, and publishing, Messiah English majors have pursued law, business, Christian ministry, public relations, and other professional careers.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s English program can:

  1. Analyze literary texts by reading closely and applying disciplinary vocabularies, theories, and methods.
  2. Respond to literary texts within their contexts such as culture, genre, literary history, aesthetic values, and ideological orientation.
  3. Demonstrate writing and rhetorical skills appropriate to both critical and creative tasks in a variety of media and genres.
  4. Develop and challenge their thinking through scholarly research in support of both critical studies and creative activities.
  5. Reflect on vocational calling, explore possible career paths, and develop action plans for their professional lives.
  6. Articulate the connections between Christian faith and the study of English.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

ENGL 201Introduction to English Studies I

3
ENGL 202Introduction to English Studies II

3
 
ENGL 494Literature Seminar

3
OR
ENGL 496Writing Seminar

3

ENGL 494, ENGL 496: fulfills writing enriched for the major

Twelve credits meeting the following distribution:

ENGL 310British Literature before 1800

3
OR
ENGL 320British Literature after 1800

3
 
ENGL 330American Literature before 1900

3
OR
ENGL 340American Literature After 1900

3
 
ENGL 350Postcolonial / World Literature

3
ENGL 360Genre

3
ENGL 370Critical Theory

3

Note – at least one course will need to meet two of the distribution categories

One to three credits from the following

ENGL 391English-Journalism Practicum

1-3
ENGL 392Student Publications Practicum

1-3
ENGL 393Staff Writer Practicum

1
INTE 391Internship

1-3

Literature Concentration (15 credits)

Three credits from a different time period than the core:
ENGL 310British Literature before 1800

3
ENGL 320British Literature after 1800

3
Three credits from a different time period than the core:
ENGL 330American Literature before 1900

3
ENGL 340American Literature After 1900

3
Three credits from the following:
ENGL 203Introduction to Creative Writing

3
ENGL 204Introduction to Professional Writing & Rhetoric

3
ENGL 305Writing

3
ENGL 306AWriting for the Workplace

3
Six credits of ENGL 2xx or 3xx
One of these courses must be a designated genre course

Note: While students can only earn three credits per course, they may meet more than one area requirement in a single course. Any course meeting more than one requirement must be approved in advance by the English Department.

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication 3
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences 3 or 4
Laboratory Science 3 or 4
Science, Technology & the World 3
Two of the following (six credits total):
   Social Science
   European History
   United States History		 6
Literature waived
Philosophy and Religion 3
Arts 3
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural 3
Non-Western Studies 2-3
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course 1
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 51-54
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration) 37-39
Free electives 35-30
Total credits 123