In this concentration, you will prepare for your career by learning to write effective reports and other professional documents, write for the Web and social media, copy edit, and search and interview for jobs. Through literature courses in our shared core, you will also learn valuable skills in critical analysis, interpretation, and research.
BA English Professional Writing - Advising Worksheet (pdf)
At a Glance
Core Requirements (21 credits)
- ENG 2130 Introduction to Literary Studies
- Literature and Culture (choose two)
- ENG 3346 American Literature and Culture
- ENG 3347 British Literature and Culture
- ENG 3348 World Literature and Culture
- ENG 3333 Advanced Writing for English Majors
- ENG 3371 Professional Writing
- ENG 3382 Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism
- ENG 4401 Seminar in Literary Studies
Professional Writing Concentration (18 credits)
- ENG 3400 Copy Editing
- ENG 3404 Writing for the Web and Social Media
- Take one upper division literature course
- Electives (choose three)
- CIS 3303 Web Site Design*
- COM 3300 Digital Communication in Public Relations*
- COM 3320 Public Relations Writing
- COM 3336 Business and Professional Communications*
- ENG 2225 English Grammar
- ENG 3252 Advanced Poetry Writing
- ENG 3254 Advanced Fiction Writing
- ENG 3316 Creative Nonfiction Prose Writing
- ENG 3332 Nature Writing
- ENG 4416 Novel Writing
- ENG 4449 English Practicum (1-5 credits)
- ENG 4995 English Internship (6-12 credits)
- JN 1100 Journalism
- JN 3310 Specialized News and Feature Writing
- JN 3320 Magazine Writing and Production
- JN 3340 Online Journalism
- MKT 3330 Marketing*
- MKT 4426 E-Marketing*
- PHL 3260 Professional Ethics*
* denotes courses newly added to the concentration for Fall 2020; if you declared BA English - Professional Writing prior to Fall 2020, please see the department chair to count these courses toward your major.
Core Requirements: 21 Credits
All English B.A. majors must complete a 21-credit set of core ENG courses. The lower division core courses emphasize the foundational knowledge and skills essential to the field of English studies. The upper division core courses build on and further develop the knowledge and skills instilled in the lower-division foundational courses. Together, the core courses emphasize the importance of key influential texts; writing as a process that includes attending to rhetorical conventions and contexts (ENG 2130, 3333, 3371, and 4401); the careful reading, productive research, and critical analysis of literature and non-print media (ENG 2130, 3333, 3382, and 4401); speaking and listening skills (ENG 4401); and the use of technology in literary studies (2130).
• ENG 2130: Introduction to Literary Studies
Prepares students for the advanced literary analysis and interpretation that they will find in upper division content courses. Students become acquainted with literary genres and terms and learn strategies for reading and understanding literature. Offered in the fall semesters. No prerequisites.
• Literature and Culture (take two of the following)
ENG 3346: American Literature and Culture
A focused study in a period of American literature using representative texts covered in their historical and cultural contexts. Authors may include Douglass, Wharton, Faulkner, and Morrison. Appropriate for both majors and non-majors. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
ENG 3347: British Literature and Culture
A focused study in a period of British literature using representative texts in historical and cultural contexts. Authors may include Austen, the Romantic poets, and Shakespeare. Appropriate for both majors and non-majors. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
ENG 3348: World Literature and Culture
A focused study of world literature written in English and/or in English translation using representative texts in historical and cultural contexts. Authors may include Achebe, Murakami, and Tagore. Appropriate for both majors and non-majors. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
• ENG 3333: Advanced Writing for English Majors
Designed to refine the writing skills of English majors, with an emphasis on critical analysis and the mechanics of writing. Students will read and write about a literary, rhetorical, or linguistic concept chosen by the instructor (irony in literature, for example) and revise at least one essay from their English portfolio. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: ENG 2130 and two upper division ENG classes.
• ENG 3371: Professional Writing
Teaches students to write for various purposes in professional contexts. Particular attention will be paid to issues of audience awareness and style. Students will write texts for various contexts, including, but not limited to, letters, resumes, memos, press releases, reports, analyses, and grants. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
• ENG 3382: Contemporary Literary Theory and Criticism
Surveys recent approaches to literature, including formalist, structuralist, post-structuralist, reader-response, psychoanalytic, feminist, Marxist, new historical, and/or post-colonial literary criticism. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: ENG 1112 and ENG 2130.
• ENG 4401: Seminar in Literary Studies
Provides students with a sustained, in-depth study of literature which draws on the expertise developed in previous English courses. Topics vary, but each offering requires that students complete a seminar-length researched paper/project, culminating in the public presentation of that work. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: ENG 1112 and 75 earned credits.
Professional Writing Concentration: 18 Credits
• ENG 3400: Copy Editing
Focuses on copyediting skills and application of editorial style in a variety of contexts, including print and electronic media. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
• ENG 3404: Writing for the Web and Social Media
Teaches students to analyze and compose informative, persuasive, and creative Web texts based on rhetorical principles and with user-experience design in mind. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
• Take one upper division literature course
• Professional Writing Electives: Take three of the following:
CIS 3303: Web Site Design
An introduction to the principles of Web Site Design. The syntax and semantics of HTML is covered. Multimedia elements will also be introduced.
COM 3300: Digital Communication in Public Relations
This course is designed to explore digital communication used in field of public relations. The strategies used in this form of communication will be addressed through the study and application of emerging technologies. Prerequisite: COM 2210
COM 3320: Public Relations Writing
Familiarizes students with various forms of public relations writing and enhance their skills in written communication. Students will produce public relations material for both traditional and digital media outlets. Emphasis is placed on message design, strategy, audience analysis, and communication channels. Prerequisite: COM 2210
COM 3336: Business and Professional Communication
Focuses on a skills-based approach to professional communication in the business environment. Topics include presentations, technology, interviewing, writing, and interpersonal and group communication in a simulated business environment. Prerequisites: COM 1101, COM 1102 or COM 1103 and 60 earned credits
ENG 2225: English Grammar
A systematic description of the rules of modern English grammar, making use of both traditional and contemporary grammatical theories.
ENG 3252: Advanced Poetry Writing
Students further develop their skills as poets by studying contemporary poetry by a wide diversity of writers and writing their own poems. Emphasis will be on students developing a body of work to be edited into a chapbook. Students will give presentations over a “poet mentor”, learn how to evaluate literary markets and how to submit poetry manuscripts for publication, and give a reading of their poems. Prerequisite: ENG 2252. Note: Dual Listed/Cross Listed: ENG 2252.
ENG 3254 Advanced Fiction Writing
Through writing exercises, reading the work of published writers, and workshopping original manuscripts, students will work on creating a portfolio of short fiction or the first three chapters of a novel. Students will also learn how to market their work. Prerequisite: ENG 2254.
ENG 3316: Creative Nonfiction Prose Writing
Focuses on reading and analysis of published nonfiction, including essays, magazines articles, and electronic media, and experiment with form and subject matter. Genres explored will include memoir, literary journalism, and socio-political commentary. Small group workshops will help students revise and edit their own and each other’s writing while learning a variety of editing skills. The emphasis of the class is on in-depth discussion of student work, the assigned readings, and the process of writing. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
ENG 3332: Nature Writing
Focuses on student writing creative non-fiction prose about nature and discuss each other’s work. The course will deal with such issues as the importance of place, the role of science in personal responses to nature, the nature of Nature, and the meaning of “nonfiction” in nature writing. Prerequisite: ENG 1112.
ENG 4416: Novel Writing
Students will read and discuss published novels and work on writing their own, critiquing and discussing one another’s work. Includes the first 3 chapters and a synopsis of the novel. Prerequisites & Notes: ENG 3312 or permission of instructor. Note: May be taken for 1 through 3 credits at one time.
ENG 4449: English Practicum
One to five credits. Offers practical work experience and the opportunity to apply and further develop skills such as writing and editing in a variety of professional settings. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chairperson and supervising faculty member.
ENG 4495: English Internship
Six to twelve credits; no more than six credits count toward the major. Offers practical work experience and the opportunity to apply and further develop skills such as writing and editing in a variety of professional settings. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chairperson and supervising faculty member.
JN 1100: Journalism
Introduces the nature and practice of newsgathering, reporting, writing, editing, and professionalism. Students acquire basic skills by covering textbook examples and off-campus breaking stories.
JN 3310: Specialized News and Feature Writing
Develops the journalism craft beyond routine coverage practices. Field assignments and classroom workshops offer practical experience in non-fiction depth/feature writing styles, interviewing techniques, and story marketing. Prerequisite: JN 1100.
JN 3320: Magazine Writing and Production
Explores advanced non-fiction feature article writing and literary journalism, with an emphasis on magazine writing, design, and production. Students create the annual edition of Crossroads magazine published in May since 1990. Prerequisites: JN 1100, JN 3310 or permission of instructor.
JN 3340: Online Journalism
Includes information on such emerging media themes as the ethical and legal implications of publishing online in a 24/7 environment; the characteristics that distinguish news Web sites and their stories from their print and broadcast counterparts; guidelines for doing research on the Internet; and the impact of blogs, wikis and other citizen journalism on mainstream media. Prerequisite: JN 1100 or permission of instructor.
MKT 3330: Marketing
An introduction to the field of marketing. A study of satisfying customer needs for goods and services. Topics include designing marketing strategies, understanding buyers and markets, target market selection, and issues related to product, distribution, promotion and price decisions. Prerequisites: 25 earned credits
MKT 4426: E-Marketing
This course is a comprehensive examination of e-marketing. Covers the skills and knowledge to develop and implement e-marketing strategies for segmenting, targeting and positions. In addition, marketing mix functions and customer relationship management will be explored in an online environment. Prerequisites: 45 earned credits
PHL 3260: Professional Ethics
This course will examine both moral reasoning and ethical principles as they apply to issues and practices in such professions as business, education, law, police work, scientific research, clinical psychology and psychiatry, social work and information technology. Each offering may emphasize different professions or one specific profession. Prerequisites: Must have 30 earned credits
Foreign Language Requirement: 6 Credits Through 1102 Level
Additionally, students in the BA program must fulfill a Foreign Language Requirement, which consists of course work through the 1102 level. Students must then either complete an additional 6 credits through the 2202 level OR declare a minor.
English Program Assessment Portfolio
All English degree program students must compile a program assessment portfolio. The completed portfolios are to be used as a tool to track each student's performance across a range of assessment tasks within the degree program, and to assess the extent to which the program itself is meeting its designated expectations and outcomes.
The portfolios will be evaluated by the English Curriculum Committee on a regular basis using the criteria listed on the evaluation rubric. Students should submit electronic copies of their portfolio essays to the department chair. The portfolios-in-progress will be kept on file electronically in the department office. The completed portfolio will consist of the following items:
The Final Research Essay from ENG 2130: Introduction to Literary Studies. This assessment is a research project conducted at the conclusion of the students' second semester. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to analyze a text closely, to utilize secondary source material (both print and electronic) productively, to be conversant with key terms from literary history and criticism, to situate a text within its historical, literary, and/or cultural context, and to conform to the rules of standard written English.
The Major Revision Essay from ENG 3333: Advanced Writing for English Majors, including the original, unrevised version (the unrevised version may be the essay from ENG 1130 or one of the upper division essays already included in the portfolio). This assessment requires students to revise an essay completed for a previous ENG course, and focuses on the students' ability to revise an essay effectively, to analyze a text closely, to utilize secondary source material (both print and electronic) productively, to be conversant with key terms from literary history and criticism, to situate a text within its historical, literary, and/or cultural context, and to conform to the rules of standard written English. The resulting essay should be suitable for submission to an undergraduate-level journal and/or adaptable for submission to an undergraduate-level conference.
The Research Project from ENG 4401: Seminar in Literary Studies. A substantial inquiry into a specific topic within the field of literary studies, this assessment focuses on the students' ability to analyze a text (or texts) closely; to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the available secondary source material (both print and electronic) on the topic; to incorporate key terms, theories and approaches from literary history and criticism effectively; to situate a text (or texts) within its historical, literary, and/or cultural context; and to conform to the rules of standard written English. The final project should contribute to the critical conversation on the chosen topic. The project culminates in a public oral presentation of each student's research before a university-wide audience of students and faculty.