Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

English Literature, Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Concentration in Language and Literature

Students pursuing a B.S. in Secondary Education must take the following courses within the Language and Literature concentration to fulfill NCATE and PDE requirements. These courses include: ENGL 204ENGL 305ENGL 307, and ENGL 328. Secondary Education majors should work closely with their academic advisers.

Students pursuing a B.A. in English: Language and Literature without the B.S. in Secondary Education may take approved electives. Choose from the following: ENGL 248ENGL 298ENGL 311ENGL 410 or any course listed below that has not already been taken. Approval by academic adviser and department chair is required.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Interaction with Diverse Literary Texts: Display knowledge of discipline specific content through written and oral interaction with diverse literary and cultural texts.  
  • Methods of Discipline Specific Analysis: Apply principle methods of discipline specific analysis, and understand the basic assumptions and theoretical constructs that guide criticism 
  • Literature and Language as Cultural Artifacts: Express how literature and language, as cultural artifacts, respond to and record the value systems of diverse cultures and human experiences

Universal Program Outcomes

  • Research Tools and Resources: Use the research tools and resources of the profession, integrate them effectively into interpretive arguments, and properly document sources according to professional standards.
  • Knowledge of Technology: Display knowledge of technologies that support both written and oral communication.
  • Degree Program Writing Competency - Understanding of the Writing Process : Understand the writing process to communicate ideas effectively to a variety of audiences.

RELATED LINKS

English Literature - Language and Literature, BA Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

Curriculum Guide

GPA Requirement

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

Summary*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Modern Language Requirement0-9
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements39
Electives39

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

Rock Studies 2 Requirements

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

BA Modern Language Requirement

BA degree requires language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible.

Complete 0-9 credits0-9
Total Hours0-9

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

Major/Concentration Requirements

  • 20 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 20 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
  • Students pursuing a B.S. in Secondary Education must take this course option to fulfill NCATE and PDE requirements: ENGL 204ENGL 305ENGL 307ENGL 328 (by advisement for Ed. Majors).
  • Students pursuing a B.A. in Language and Literature without the B.S. in Secondary Education may take the other designated courses in lieu of these. For electives, choose from among: ENGL 248 (Eastern Lit), ENGL 298 (Selected Topics), ENGL 311 (Chaucer), ENGL 410 (Lit of the Env), a course listed above that you have not already taken, or another course approved by your adviser and the department chair.
Required Courses
ENGL 204Composition and Rhetoric 13
or ENGL 220 Introduction to Literary and Cultural Studies
ENGL 312Introduction to Shakespeare 13
or ENGL 389 Stratford Shakespeare Tour
ENGL 317British Literature I 13
ENGL 318British Literature II 13
ENGL 319American Literature I 13
ENGL 320American Literature II 13
ENGL 402World Literature 13
ENGL 403Literary and Cultural Theory 13
Subtotal24
Required English Courses
Select two of the following:6
Introduction to Linguistics and Grammar 1
Chaucer and Medieval Culture 1
Historical Development of the English Language 1
Modern English Grammar and Syntax 1
Subtotal6
Required English Literature Course
Select one of the following:3
African-American Literature 1
Literature of the Women's Movement 1
Native American Literature 1
U.S. Latino/a Literatures 1
Asian Literature 1
Subtotal3
Electives
Select any two English courses: 26
Subtotal6
Total Hours39
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

2

Except for ENGL 102

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Co-curricular and Experiential Learning

Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:

  1. International study programs (short-term) locations such as Italy, London and Canada
  2. Student-faculty research
  3. Career education and development
  4. Internships
  5. Community services experience through the national Writing in Schools program
  6. Volunteer experience in literary magazine production

English Literature - BA (5 25)
Concentration in Language and Literature (LLIT)
This program is effective as of Fall 2019
Revised 7-2019
UCC RISP 2019

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
MODL 101Modern Language Requirement 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
 Hours16
Spring
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
MODL 102Modern Language Requirement 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
Select one English Elective 2 3
ENGL 220 Introduction to Literary and Cultural Studies (Inquiry) 3 3
MODL 103Modern Language Requirement 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Social Science Inquiry 4 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 10
 Hours15
Spring
Select one English Elective 2 3
ENGL 242
African-American Literature 5
or Asian Literature
3
ENGL 204 Composition and Rhetoric 4 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
Select one of the following: 3
Literature of the Women's Movement
Native American Literature
U.S. Latino/a Literatures 6
ENGL 317 British Literature I 3
ENGL 331 Historical Development of the English Language 7 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Course in other department/minor 3
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 312 Introduction to Shakespeare 3
ENGL 318 British Literature II 3
ENGL 332 Modern English Grammar and Syntax 8 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Course in other department/minor 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
ENGL 319 American Literature I 3
ENGL 402 World Literature 3
Elective 3
Course in other department/minor 3
Course in other department/minor 3
 Hours15
Spring
ENGL 320 American Literature II 3
Select one of the following: 3
Literary and Cultural Theory
ENGL Elective 9
Select one of the following: 3
ENGL Elective 2
Literature of the Environment
Another course approved by your adviser & dept. chair
Course in other department/minor 3
Course in other department/minor 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Must complete two courses from the following:  ENGL 230, ENGL 311, ENGL 331, ENGL 332

3

IF not selecting ENGL 204 Comp and Rhetoric.

4

Take only if not selecting ENGL 220.

5

If not taking ENGL 243, ENGL 244, or ENGL 246.

6

If not taking ENGL 242 or ENGL 248.

7

If not taking ENGL 332.

8

If not taking ENGL 331.

9

ENGL 328, ENGL 410

10

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 5 25
Concentration Code: LLIT
Revised date: 12.22.2020