English, B.A.

[English—1501]

Perhaps the most important reason to study literature is to gain awareness and even appreciation of the world beyond your own front door.  When you read a literary work, you are offered insights about the human experience - about the life challenges that have perplexed, amazed, delighted, and moved people for centuries.  You are called to think about your own life and your relationships with others. If you become engaged with - open to - what you read, you may discover surprising connections between you and the literary works you encounter.

English majors read broadly and learn to write pointedly and passionately. They spend time in all genres of literature across every era of human history, gaining facts while grappling with universals. They learn to ask what the most incisive minds have asked and to discern, amidst a Christian community, how to stay true to God and themselves in a confusing world. By the time they graduate, Roberts’ English majors have learned to listen carefully and respond sensitively, to read critically and write well, and to use knowledge constructively and creatively. Despite changes in markets and technology, these skills will always be in demand.

An English major prepares students for a wide variety of careers, including those in education, publishing, journalism, marketing, and public relations. In addition, English serves as an excellent foundation for careers in counseling, ministry, library science, law, politics, business, and science.

SPECIFICS OF THE ENGLISH B.A. DEGREE

Minimum Total Hours: 120

Total Liberal Arts Hours Required: 90

General Education Requirements: Per Core Curriculum Requirements list (see General Education Council). Exceptions: LITR 1010 excluded (LITR 1010, COMP 1010/1020 cannot count toward the major); American Sign Language may not be used to meet the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Minimum Requirements:  GPA of 2.3 in the major and overall; no grade less than C- in the major; minimum grade of C+ in COMP 1010 and COMP 1020.

Transfer Requirements: See institutional transfer policies. 

Application to the Major: The standard institutional form for Application to Major may be found on the Registration webpage.  A minimum overall GPA of 2.3 is required for acceptance to the major.

Major Requirements: 39 hours as follows:

• One upper-level composition course (COMP 3200, 3210, or 3410);
• Four survey courses (LITR 2010, 2020, 2040, 2050, 2070, 2080);
• Two major author courses (LITR 3030, 3120);
• One theory course (LITR 3070);
• Two special-topics or senior-level courses (LITR 3000, 4020, 4030);
• Nine semester hours of electives selected from any of the previously listed courses not already used to meet a requirement or from the following: LITR 3040, 3090, 3140, 3150.
• Recommended but not required: COMM 4409, HIST 3000, and SGEN 2050.