Department of Writing and Literature

 

Professors: Andrea Perham, Neil Shepard, Daniel Towner, Tony Whedon

Assistant Professors: Tyrone Shaw, Michael Winkelman                     

Bachelor's Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

In this program, aspiring writers learn the craft of fiction, poetry, and prose nonfiction in literature courses and in writing workshops.  Small classes and individualized instruction are key features of this student-centered program. A student and professional reading series and internships with the department's nationally recognized literary magazine, Green Mountains Review, complement the academic course work.

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Required Courses                                                                  Credits

Writing workshops

ENG-2010

Creative Writing

3

ENG-3---

Three upper-level workshops: poetry, fiction or creative essay

9

 

Literature electives

ENG-2---

Literature Surveys  ( 4 courses)

12

ENG-3---/4---

Literature Courses  ( 3 courses)

 9

 

Upper-level course work:

Select two of the following:   

ENG-4110

The Form and Theory of Fiction

3

ENG-4120

The Form and Theory of Poetry

3

ENG-4130

The Form and Theory of Nonfiction

3

ENG-4150

Literary Criticism and Theory

3
     
Thesis    
ENG-4920 Senior Thesis (creative project in genre of specialization)      3

Total                                                                                                 42

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Learning Outcomes for Creative Writing Majors

The BFA in Creative Writing will:

1. Enable students to produce their own poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction and to become proficient readers and interpreters of imaginative literature.

2. Enable students to identify the major genres of literature, to recognize the features of each genre, and to explore and evaluate different approaches to literary criticism and interpretation.

3. Develop students' abilities to analyze and explicate literary texts so that they can identify themes and ideas as well as recognize how formal literary devices affect meaning.

4. Develop students' skills in editing and revising so that they will be prepared for graduate school in creative writing and/or for careers in publishing

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• Bachelor of Arts in English

Students in this program explore literature and language from critical, aesthetic, historical, linguistic and national  perspectives. Opportunities to study creative writing and journalism are also components of the program.

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Required Courses                                                                 Credits

Introductory survey courses (select 4)

ENG-1310

Introduction to Literature

3

ENG-2171

World Literature I

3

ENG-2172

World Literature II

3

ENG-2281

Survey of English Literature I

3

ENG-2282

Survey of English Literature II

3

ENG-2321

Survey of American Literature I

3

ENG-2322

Survey of American Literature II

3

ENG-2510

Women and Literature

3

Subtotal                                                                                           24

Writing courses (2 required)

ENG 2---/3--- Options are available in both journalism

                   and creative writing                                     6

      

Upper-level specialty courses in literature, language, and criticism

ENG 3---/4---

Literature and Language electives

12

ENG-4720

Seminar in Literature

 3

THA-3010

Shakespeare: "On the Stage and on the Page"

 3

           

Select one of the following

ENG-4110

The Form and Theory of Fiction

3

ENG-4120

The Form and Theory of Poetry

3

ENG-4130

The Form and Theory of Nonfiction

3

ENG-4150

Literary Criticism and Theory

3

ENG-4920

Senior Thesis (optional)

3

          

Total                                                                  39  (42 with thesis)

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Learning Outcomes for English Majors

The B.A. in English will:

1. Enable students to identify the major genres of literature, to recognize the features of each genre, and to explore and evaluate different approaches to literary criticism and interpretation.

2. Introduce students to English, American, and world literary traditions so that they will learn how literature both reflects and shapes intellectual, aesthetic, and cultural life.

3. Develop students' abilities to analyze and explicate literary texts so that they can identify themes and ideas and learn how formal literary devices affect meaning.

4. Prepare students for graduate study, for teaching secondary school English, and for  careers in the private sector or in government that require critical thinking and reading skills as well as skills in research and discourse analysis.  

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• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

This program prepares students for the realities of a career in print journalism. Course requirements center journalism in the liberal arts and provide students with a strong, practical background in feature writing, investigative reporting, creative nonfiction, media technology, and the ethics and history of journalism as a profession. In addition to courses specific to journalism, students will also develop a reporting specialization in a content area of their own choosing, through cross-disciplinary coursework and a capstone reporting internship at an area newspaper or news outlet. 

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Required Core Courses  (15 credits)                               Credits

ENG-2051

Introduction to Newswriting

3

ENG-2052

Newspaper Publishing: Writing, Editing, Layout, and Design

3

ENG-3020

Feature Writing

3

ENG-3022

Advanced Newspaper Publishing: Writing, Editing, Layout, and Design (repeatable for credit)

6

Subtotal                                                                                           18     

Background Courses  (9 credits)                             Credits

ENG-2282

Survey of English Literature II

3

ENG-2322

Survey of American Literature II

3

SOX-3130

Mass Media and Society

3

 

Upper-level Electives  (9 credits)                             Credits

ENG-3140

The Creative Essay

3

ENG-3405

Literary Journalism

3

ENG-4130

The Form and Theory of Nonfiction

3

CIS-2220

Web Site Design

3

Photojournalism: variable credits  (workshop format, independent study credit)

Desktop Publishing: variable credits (workshop format, independent study credit)

Cross-Disciplinary Reporting Focus  (9 Credits)

Students will choose one of the following areas in which to specialize: Literature and Fine and Performing Arts, Environmental and Health Sciences, Humanities, Behavioral Sciences and Education, Photojournalism and Media Technology, Business/Economics. Students will consult with their academic adviser and with the department chair in the chosen subject area to devise their nine-credit reporting focus.

Capstone Courses  (6 credits)                                           Credits

ENG-4010

Issues in Journalism

3

ENG-4810

Internship (designed; if possible; to tap into student;s reporting focus)

 

 

Total                                                                                                 48

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Required Courses in Part II of the GECC for Journalism Majors

HIS-1212

American History II

 

or

  

3

POS-1020

American Politics and Government

 

PHI-1040

Introduction to Ethics

3

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Learning Outcomes for Journalism Majors

The B.A. in Journalism will:

1. Enable students to employ the best journalistic procedures and practices so that they will be able to write in a variety of styles - including hard news, reportage, editorials, features, profiles and reviews.

2. Acquaint students with current newspaper layout and production techniques and  train them to line- and copy-edit for accuracy, clarity, concision and style.

3. Enable students to understand and apply basic ethical principles to their work in  journalism and to properly understand the role, rights, and responsibilities of a free press in a democratic society.

4. Enable students to gain entry-level positions and to function successfully in the professional environment of a daily or weekly publication.

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Minors

• Creative Writing

Requirements                                                                        Credits

1

Introductory-level creative writing course (i.e. ENG-2101)

3

2

Upper-level writing workshops (poetry, fiction ,or nonfiction: i.e. ENG-3120, ENG-3130. ENG 3140)

6

 

1

Form and Theory course (poetry, fiction, nonfiction: i.e. ENG-4110, ENG-4120, or ENG 4130)

3

 

3

Lower-level literature survey courses (from a variety of 2000 level literature courses)

9

 

1

Upper-level literature course (from a variety of 3000 and 4000 level literature courses)

3

Total                                                                                                24

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• Literature

Requirements                                                                       Credits

Four introductory surveys selected from the following:

ENG-2171

World Literature I

3

ENG-2172

World Literature II

3

ENG-2281

Survey of English Literature I

3

ENG-2282

Survey of English Literature II

3

ENG-2321

Survey of American Literature I

3

ENG-2322

Survey of American Literature II

3

 

Three specialty courses in particular genres, periods, themes, or authors           

ENG 3---/4---    Upper-level electives                                 9

Total                                                                                                 21

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• Journalism

ENG-2051

Introduction to Newswriting

3

ENG-2052

Introduction to Newspaper Editing

3

ENG-3020

Feature Writing

3

ENG-3022

Advanced News Editing

 

or

  

3

ENG-4810

Internship

  

ENG-4010

Issues in Journalism

3

ENG-4130

The Form and Theory of Nonfiction

3

 

Total                                                                                                 18

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Licensure Programs

• Licensure in English  (grades 7-12)

Students who would like to earn a secondary school teaching license in English must submit passing scores on Praxis I and II, complete either the B.A. in English or the B.F.A. in creative writing, and the following courses:

Required Courses                                                                 Credits

EDU-2110

introduction to Exceptional Populations

 3

EDU-2170

Adolescent Development

 3

EDU-2320

Engaged in Creative Teaching and Learning

 3

EDU-3020

Educational Psychology

 3

EDU-3210

Secondary Education Methods: General

 2

EDU-3220

Secondary Education Methods: English

 1

EDU-3240

Literacy Development in the Content Areas

 3

EDU-4850

Secondary Education Student Teaching

12

ENG-1070

Effective Speaking

 3

ENG-3680

Linguistics and Language History

 3

Total                                                                                                 36

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**Please see other important licensure requirements outlined on pages 28-32 of this catalogue.

The Writing and Literature Department offers courses with the following designators: ENG (English) and INT (interdisciplinary).  For complete course descriptions click here.

 

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