BA in English Languages at Long Island University
Friday, February 27th, 2009The Study of English
Through the systematic study of English, students discover the values underlying the great literature of the past and learn to distinguish and appreciate the contemporary literature most likely to endure. Students studying English learn to evaluate sensibilities both past and present, acquiring a profound knowledge of their own humanity and of the human condition in general. The study of English helps develop fluency of expression, skill in logical analysis, and facility in planning, organizing, and revising. Literature courses, no less than composition courses, give attention to writing to help students perfect their ability to communicate with others.
C. W. Post offers the B.A. and M.A. in English and the B.S. and M.S. in English for Adolescence Education. There are also B.S. programs in English, American Studies, and Literature for Early Childhood, Childhood, and Middle Childhood Education. In addition, the School of Education offers the M.S. in the Teaching of English as a Second Language. The Department of English offers courses in three broad areas: writing, linguistics, and literature. Offerings in literature cover all of English and American literature and a wide range of literature in translation.
Undergraduate Curriculum in English
The B.A. in English with a Concentration in Literature requires 36 credits, including traditional period, genre, and major figure courses, an advanced course in critical writing, and an intensive seminar on a special topic. Since there are required Core Curriculum courses totaling 38 credits, a student majoring in English with a Concentration in Literature has 48 elective credits. Although all students must fulfill various competencies and every B.A. degree requires 96 credits of liberal arts, the student majoring in English with a concentration in literature who elects to fulfill all competency requirements by taking credit courses will still have 32 credits of completely free electives and an additional 16 elective credits in liberal arts. The major in English with a Concentration in Literature offers students both a strong traditional liberal education and many opportunities to explore other disciplines.
The B.A. in English with a Concentration in Writing requires 36 credits. The Writing Concentration explores various forms of creative expression through course work in literature, creative writing including writing for performance, and writing for the marketplace including journalism. Since there are required Core Curriculum courses totaling 38 credits, a student majoring in English with a Writing Concentration has 48 elective credits. Although all students must fulfill various competencies and every B.A. degree requires 96 credits of liberal arts, the student majoring in English with a writing concentration who elects to fulfill all competency requirements by taking credit courses will still have 32 credits of completely free electives and an additional 16 elective credits in liberal arts. The major in English with a Writing Concentration offers students both a strong traditional liberal education and many opportunities to explore other disciplines.
Students in the B.A. program in English are exempt from the Core requirement in literature or language. However, some college-level study of a foreign language is strongly recommended. Students contemplating graduate work in English are advised that many Ph.D. programs require a reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages and are urged to complete foreign language study through courses 11 and 12. Such students are also urged to take an advanced course in History and one of the following: LIN 11 Comparative Linguistics, LIN 12 Descriptive Linguistics, LIN 41 Applied Linguistics, or SPH 51 Phonetics of English.
The B.S. in English for Adolescence Education requires a program of specific courses in both English and Education as well as supervised student teaching. Students should consult with the undergraduate advisor and should begin the sequence of Education courses early.
Students in the B.A. program in English and the B.S. program in English for Adolescence Education must fulfill the requirements of the program in Writing across the Curriculum, including six credits of ENG 1 and ENG 2 or replacement courses. Many upper-level courses in English are available in writing-intensive mode to help students complete the other requirements of this program.
Students in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education, and Middle Childhood Education may wish to complete one of the majors in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a substantial English component: English/Literature, English/Writing, and American Studies.
A minor in English (21 credits beyond ENG 1 and 2) is also available.