English
Introduction & Overview
The English program includes courses in all periods of American, British, and international literature in English, as well as courses in Creative and Professional Writing and in Film Studies.
English courses explore literary themes and genres from a variety of viewpoints, equipping students with an understanding of historical and cultural trends, developing students’ proficiency in the analytical reading of and critical writing about literature, and fostering students’ expertise in verbal expression, logical argumentation, and close analysis of language. Training in clear, effective writing is fundamental to all three Concentrations within the department.
In the Literature and Film Studies Concentrations, a progressive sequence of courses develops students’ fundamental skills in writing and critical analysis, including approaching literary and cinematic texts in social and historical contexts and in light of theory and criticism; a senior research thesis caps these two Concentrations.
Creative writers hone their craft in a sequence of workshop courses, complemented by literature courses; a senior writing portfolio caps this Concentration.
An accelerated BA/MFA with Concentration in Creative and Professional Writing is also offered; see the Dual Degrees section of the catalog for details.
In small, participatory classes, English majors develop the ability to analyze and interpret literary works and film in context. Creative writers hone their craft in workshop courses and contribute to the campus literary magazine, Graffiti; the newspaper, Touchstone; and the program's annual Writing Awards.
Degree
Bachelor of Arts with concentration in Literature, Creative and Professional Writing, or Film Studies
Students may also apply in their junior year for the 5-year BA/MFA Program in Creative Writing.
Minors
Students may minor in English with a Concentration in Literature, Creative and Professional Writing, or Film Studies.
Career Ideas
Advertising Executive, Attorney, Book Editor, Broadcast News Analyst, Copy Writer, Digital Media Specialist, Professor, Film Producer, Fund Raiser, Legal Assistant, Librarian, Lobbyist, Newspaper Editor, Novelist, Poet, Public Relations Specialist, Journalist, Screenwriter, Speech Writer, Teacher, Television Producer
Division Chair
Nada Halloway, 914.323.5107, Nada.Halloway@mville.edu
Faculty and Staff
Full-Time Faculty
Jeff Bens
Caralyn Bialo
Meghan Freeman
Nada Halloway
Van Hartmann
David Lugowski
Mark Nowak
Patrick Redding
General Requirements
Minimum grade for major or minor requirements: Only courses in which the student receives a grade of “C” or better may be used to satisfy major or minor requirements.
Early literature requirement: Each English Literature major must complete two courses in literature written before 1800. For the Creative Writing and Film concentrations, the requirement is one course in literature before 1800.
Non-western/post colonial literature requirement: Each concentration within the major require one course in non-western or postcolonial literature or film.
Students may opt to major in one concentration and minor in another as long as no courses are double-counted.
Credit towards the major or minor for courses taken in other programs and for on-line classes is determined by the Division Chair. The program generally accepts no more than two outside courses. Students who have received a grade of B or better in Composition and Literature 102 at a Community College and students who have passed the Advanced Placement English Literature Exam with a score of 5 are exempt from one 1000-level literature class.
ENC (English composition) courses and courses with the ENE designation are not accepted towards any English major or minor.
Independent studies (ENG 4495 and ENW 4495 ) are permitted only with full-time members of the department.
Internships related to the major (ENG 4497 and ENW 4497 ) must be supervised by a full-time faculty member and should be arranged through the Center for Career Development Office.
Honors in the English major is granted to students with exceptional (A level) performance throughout their course of study in English.