Webster University: English Department

English Department

Majors and Degrees Offered

English (BA) with an emphasis in Creative Writing; Drama; or Literature, Society, and Politics

Minors Offered

Certificate Offered

Professional Writing

Course Listings

Departmental Mission Statement

The curriculum of the English Department is designed to demonstrate the interaction of literature with every area of human values and human concern. The central works of English and American literature are emphasized, but they are joined by other great literatures studied in translation. In upper-division courses, instead of treating together works widely varied in style, content, and theme because they were written in the same century, the department has cut across historical lines to place side by side works dealing with the same subjects or themes or works that belong to the same genre.

The student with a major in English selects an emphasis in creative writing; drama; or literature, society, and politics. All courses listed in the catalog are offered on a regular basis, though some upper-division courses are taught only in two-year rotation.

The department also prepares teachers. A special program in the School of Education for seniors who plan to teach permits them to work as apprentices at local high schools, devoting their energy to teaching, with minimal demands made on them at the University.

Special Study Opportunities

Internships: English majors can perform writing internships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. These internships can earn course credit if taken as part of WRIT 3000 Professional Writing Practicum.

Departmental Honors in English: With the English Department’s approval, an English major may earn recognition as an outstanding student in the department by completing the additional requirements below.

To earn departmental honors, an English major must:

Complete at least 45 credit hours in residence at Webster University.
Maintain a G.P.A. of 3.5 in English coursework completed at Webster University.
Complete at least 15 credit hours in English courses offered at the 3000 and 4000 levels.
Complete at least two semesters of a foreign language with a grade of B or higher in each semester, or test out of that requirement.
Further explore cultures other than British or U.S. in one of four ways: complete a third semester of foreign language; complete an approved course in literature in translation; complete an approved course in world literature; or participate in study abroad.
Through consultation with an English Department advisor, secure the approval of the department to proceed with the Honors Thesis.
Complete ENGL 4900 Thesis Workshop by writing a thesis that meets departmental standards for exceptional work. Students who complete ENGL 4900 will earn 1 credit hour, for a total of 43 credit hours.

a. Creative writing emphasis: original creative work by the student.

b. Literature, society, and politics emphasis: an original scholarly essay.

c. Drama: an original scholarly essay on dramatic literature or an original play.

Admission

Applicants for a major in English are required to submit a photocopy of one graded literary analysis essay, including the instructor’s comments and grade, written for a previous English class. Students applying for English with an emphasis in Creative Writing must also submit one short story, play (or portion thereof), nonfiction essay, or three poems.

Learning Objectives and Intended Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:

Read critically, think critically, and write critically.
Have read widely while in the department. They will have a foundation in the canonical works of literature, as well as newer works that challenge or expand the canon. Students are expected to read widely both in and outside their areas of emphasis.
Have an understanding of and appreciation for the various periods, genres, and styles of literature. They should be able to see and appreciate the thematic links and influences between works within and across genres. They are encouraged to attend live theatre performances and to review film critically.
Have an appreciation for the role of literature and the arts in society and culture. They should appreciate the key role the written word plays in human expression and the search for meaning.
Have developed an awareness of historical context and the particular perspective of the work as it speaks from inside or outside the mainstream culture.
Have acquired the skills to perform close readings/explications of complex literary texts. They will learn the specific language, beyond jargon, to articulate clearly aesthetic concerns and insights and will pursue a facility and appreciation for the use of research to explore diverse critical responses to literature.
Have become accomplished writers of analytical papers. They will be able to provide evidence from the text to support arguments. They should have a strong competency in the use and conventions of the MLA (Modern Language Association) citation style.