English, General Literature and Rhetoric
The Department of English, General Literature and Rhetoric offers students the opportunity to study literature and language in their many manifestations. Literature courses deal broadly with genres and themes from the past and present and teach students how to read and analyze texts; creative writing courses foster, in qualified students, the development of serious creativity; courses in globalization and culture explore cultural and literary responses to the emergence of global culture and the questions raised by this process; rhetoric courses deal with both the theory and practice of communication, as well as the history of oral and written argument.
Majors in English choose one of the concentrations listed below, which require either five core courses in literary history and theory or six core courses in theories and practices of global literary and cultural production. All versions of the major require 11 courses total. The basic major in English, with its six electives, allows students to design their majors around their own interests (literature of past or present, language, folklore, American culture or cultural studies, or writing). The major in English with a concentration in global culture includes five electives, as well as courses that explore the Anglo-American imperial tradition and the cultural productions of marginalized peoples. The major in English with a concentration in rhetoric provides a set of courses related to rhetorical theory and practice; students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core. The major in English with a concentration in creative writing provides a sequence of courses in the arts of poetry and fiction; students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core.
Courses taken under the Pass/Fail grading option do not count toward the major, except those for which Pass/Fail is the only grading option. The English Department views the grade of D as passing but unsatisfactory. Courses passed with a D do not fulfill requirements for the major.
After taking the literary history core of five courses, students selecting this option take six electives in literature, rhetoric, folklore and/or creative writing, focusing their curricula in ways they choose. Students should consult their advisers for help in planning their course selections.
|
|
number of courses |
|
One course in British literature to 1660 (ENG 227, 230, 240, 330-339, or 340-349) |
1 |
|
One course in British literature 1660-1900 (ENG 228, 250, 260, 350-359, or 360-369) |
1 |
|
One course on Shakespeare (ENG 245) |
1 |
|
One course in American literature to 1920 (ENG 270, 272, 370-379) |
1 |
|
One course in literary theory (ENG 310) |
1 |
|
One course in literature, rhetoric or
creative writing at the 200-level or above (ENG/RHET/CW 200-299, 300-399,
400-490, 495, 498-499), plus five additional courses in literature, rhetoric,
or creative writing at the 300-level or above (ENG/RHET/CW 300-399, 400-490,
495, 498-499) |
6 |
|
TOTAL |
11 |
Concentration in Global Culture
|
|
number of courses |
|
Two of the following three: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
One course in literary theory (ENG 310) |
1 |
|
One course in globalization and culture (ENG 320) |
1 |
|
One course in contestations of nation in literature and culture (consult the department for a list) |
1 |
|
One course in global cultural productions (consult the department for a list) |
1 |
|
One course in literature, rhetoric or creative writing at the 200-level or above (ENG/RHET/CW 200-299, 300-399, 400-490, 495, 498-499), plus four additional courses at the 300-level or above (ENG/RHET/CW 200-299, 300-399, 400-490, 495, 498-499). Independent Study (ENG 497) may count only if approved in advance on the departmental form for independent studies |
5 |
|
TOTAL |
11 |
Concentration in Creative Writing
This option is designed for writers of poetry and prose fiction. Through workshops, studies for writers, conferences and readings, students discover the spirit and craft of their art.
CW 250 is open to any student with an interest in creative writing. The intermediate and advanced workshops (CW 350 and 450) are open only to students who submit acceptable portfolios for admission. Students who have completed all required courses in this program are encouraged to take CW 480, Senior Writing Project, a capstone tutorial course in which they prepare a portfolio — a collection of poems or stories or essays that represents the best writings these students have completed at Binghamton. A bound copy of this senior portfolio remains with the department in the creative writing lounge.
Workshops vary in focus each semester and may be repeated, but students may take no more than one workshop per semester. Required courses:
|
|
number of courses |
|
One course in British literature to 1660 (ENG 227, 230, 240, 330-339, or 340-349) |
1 |
|
One course in British literature 1660-1900 (ENG 228, 250, 260, 350-359, or 360-369) |
1 |
|
One course on Shakespeare (ENG 245) |
1 |
|
One course in American literature to 1920 (ENG 270, 272, 370-379) |
1 |
|
One course in literary theory (ENG 310) |
1 |
|
One introductory creative writing workshop (CW 250) |
1 |
|
One intermediate creative writing workshop (CW 350) |
1 |
|
One advanced creative writing workshop (CW 450) |
1 |
|
Three additional advanced creative writing or English courses (CW 380, CW 450, or ENG 300-399, 400-490, 498-499). Independent Study (CW/ENG 497) may count only if approved in advance on the departmental form for independent studies |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
11 |
Concentration in Creative Writing and Global Culture
|
|
number of courses |
|
Two of the following three: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
One course in literary theory (ENG 310) |
1 |
|
One course in globalization and culture (ENG 320) |
1 |
|
One course in contestations of nation in literatureand culture (consult the department for a list) |
1 |
|
One course in global cultural productions (consult the department for a list) |
1 |
|
One introductory creative writing workshop (CW 250) |
1 |
|
One intermediate creative writing workshop (CW 350) |
1 |
|
One advanced creative writing workshop (CW 450) |
1 |
|
Two additional advanced creative writing or English courses (CW 380, CW 450, or ENG 300-399, 400-490, 498-499). |
|
|
Independent Study (CW/ENG 497) may count only if approved in advance on the departmental form for independent studies |
2 |
|
TOTAL |
11 |
Concentration in Rhetoric
This option allows students to pursue interests in journalism and other forms of non-fiction writing, rhetorical and communication theory, rhetorical criticism and communication arts. RHET 240, Introduction to Journalism, is open to all English majors with an interest in journalism. RHET 440s, advanced courses in journalism, are especially recommended for students who wish to acquire expertise in this field.
|
|
number of courses |
|
One course in British literature to 1660 (ENG 227, 230, 240, 330-339, or 340-349) |
1 |
|
One course in British literature 1660-1900 (ENG 228, 250, 260, 350-359, or 360-369) |
1 |
|
One course on Shakespeare (ENG 245) |
1 |
|
One course in American literature to 1920 (ENG 270, 272, 370-379) |
1 |
|
One course in literary theory (ENG 310) |
1 |
|
One rhetorical foundations course (RHET 350) |
1 |
|
One rhetorical skills course (RHET 240, 342, 344, 346, CW 350, ENG 301) |
1 |
|
One advanced rhetorical theory course (RHET 450-459) |
1 |
|
Three additional advanced courses in rhetoric or English (RHET/ENG 300-399, 400-490, 495, 498-499) (Independent Study (ENG/RHET 497) may count only if approved in advance on the departmental form for independent studies) |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
11 |
Concentration in Rhetoric and Global Culture
|
|
number of courses |
|
Two of the following three: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
One course in literary theory (ENG 310) |
1 |
|
One course in globalization and culture (ENG 320) |
1 |
|
One course in contestations of nation in literatureand culture (consult the department for a list) |
1 |
|
One course in global cultural productions (consult the department for a list) |
1 |
|
One rhetorical foundations course (RHET 350) |
1 |
|
One rhetorical skills course (RHET 240, 342, 344, 346, CW 350, ENG 301) |
1 |
|
One advanced rhetorical theory course (RHET 450-459) |
1 |
|
Two additional advanced courses in rhetoric or English (RHET/ENG 300-399, 400-490, 495, 498-499) |
2 |
|
Independent Study (ENG/RHET 497) may count only if approved in advance on the departmental form for independent studies. |
|
|
TOTAL |
11 |
Each semester the department offers an academic program in London integrating courses in literature, theater, history and art with tours, trips and theater attendance. Courses fulfill requirements for the English major, though program participation is not limited to English majors. Internships in which students gain career experience working in a British enterprise are also available. Detailed information for each semester’s program may be obtained in the department office.
The honors program in English consists of two courses taken in the student’s senior year: ENG 498, Honors Seminar; and ENG (RHET) 499, Honors Thesis (CW 499, Honors Portfolio). The designation of honors in English is awarded to students who receive at least a B+ grade in the Honors Seminar and at least an A– in the Honors Thesis or Portfolio.
In the major in English, the two honors courses take the place of two advanced electives. Majors concentrating in rhetoric or creative writing should consult the undergraduate director about the ways in which the honors courses may substitute in their curricula.
Admission to the honors program is by invitation, limited to about 20 students per year, with preference given to students who have completed substantial coursework at Binghamton with the highest grade-point average. The program director may solicit a sample of the student’s written work in an English course and other information.
Prerequisites, Course Sequence and Curriculum Structure
Courses in literature, rhetoric and creative writing numbered 100-149 are entry-level, intended mainly for freshmen; courses numbered 150-299 are open to second-semester freshmen or above; courses numbered 300-499 are open only to juniors, seniors or those who have consent of the instructor.
Course Offerings: Undergraduate
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry four credits and are offered every year.