English Literature (BA)

Current Catalog Year
2023-2024
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Major / Total Credits
48 / 120
Locations
Mankato

 
The BA in Literature equips students with a well-rounded background in British, American, and world literatures, as well as an introduction to critical theory. The program prepares graduates for a wide range of professions, including careers in education, publishing and editing, marketing, law, and administration.

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

An introduction to literary genres and to the techniques of writing about literature.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

This course examines Shakespeare's poetry and dramatic works within their social and historical context. The plays will be considered as both literary texts and dramatic performances.

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Theory - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Theories of literature and its production and use. Prereq: 6 semester credits in literature.

Prerequisites: 6 semester credits in literature

This course provides both a historical survey of film theory and the opportunity to actively engage in analyzing film using theoretical tools. Film theory is a set of conceptual frameworks through which to understand cinema and the various artistic, social, and psychological questions the medium poses to viewers. Through a study of major film theories and their uses in critically analyzing film, this course will further prepare you to be an informed and engaged viewer of all kinds of cinema.

Prerequisites: FILM 402 or FILM 412

Cultural Diversity - Choose 2 - 4 Credit(s).

Specific topics in multicultural literature with detailed study of a particular period, region, or group in the United States and their contributions to a diverse literature. Topics include African American Literature, American Indian Literature, Southern Writers of Color, and others. May be repeated as topics change.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course critically examines a wide array of literature, non-fiction essays and articles, film and art to explore the historical experiences of diverse Arab American communities. The course will begin by discussing major issues in the field, the history of immigration and citizenship, and developments in Arab American writing. Students will learn about waves of immigration from the 1880s onward, the literary communities that formed, and their contemporary legacy. The course will enable the students to better comprehend the historical and cultural contexts in which Arab American literature has evolved and the diverse perspectives of individual writers and artists.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This writing-intensive course surveys the earliest Native American literary works, from oral tradition and songs to contemporary works and authors, with a particular emphasis on tribal and cultural contexts that identify these works as Native American.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course surveys the origins and development of Chicana/o and Latina/o literature, from oral narratives, early poetry, and narrative fiction and memoirs, through the Chicano Movement and the emergence of Chicana/o literature and drama. The course also examines contemporary Chicana/o and Latina/o narrative fiction, including issues related to im/migration, the urban experience, Chicana/o and Latina/o subjectivity, and the reappropriation and reinterpretation of myths, legends, and cultural figures in transnational context.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This writing-intensive course surveys the earliest African American literary works, including slave narratives, poetry, folklore, and oration, through 20th century movements such as the Jazz Age, Harlem Renaissance, and Black Arts Movement of the 1960s, to contemporary works and authors.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

British Literature - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Representative works from British literature encompassing Beowulf through the Eighteenth Century. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

Representative works from British Literature, the Romantic Period to the present. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

American Literature - Choose 4 Credit(s).

A survey of American Literature from its beginnings to the end of the Civil War. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

A survey of American Literature from the end of the Civil War to the present. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

World Literature - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Topics on themes, issues, and developments in genres of the literatures of the world. Content changes. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A study of selected novels from a variety of time periods and cultures, including Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Prerequisites: none

Major Unrestricted Electives

Electives - Choose 12 - 14 Credit(s). Sufficient electives to reach 40 credits

Topic-oriented course in literature. May be repeated with change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

Specific topics in multicultural literature with detailed study of a particular period, region, or group in the United States and their contributions to a diverse literature. Topics include African American Literature, American Indian Literature, Southern Writers of Color, and others. May be repeated as topics change.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Animals and Literature is a required class for the Human-Animal Studies minor. The course examines literature focusing on animals from various time periods, genres, and geographical locations. By analyzing the role of animals in various literary texts, students will develop a greater understanding of human-animal interactions and relationships, will be exposed to ethical issues surrounding human-animal relationships, and will understand and engage in theoretical issues central to Human-Animal Studies. Topics may vary and the course can be repeated with change in content.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Representative works from British literature encompassing Beowulf through the Eighteenth Century. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

Representative works from British Literature, the Romantic Period to the present. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to authors, genres, illustrations, and works of literature published for elementary age children. Current and classic works.

Prerequisites: none

A survey of American Literature from its beginnings to the end of the Civil War. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

A survey of American Literature from the end of the Civil War to the present. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

The English language considered structurally (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics) and sociolinguistically (geographical and social dialects, gender issues, acquisition of first and second language, standard and nonstandard forms).

Prerequisites: none

Selected topics course on literature about gender and gendered experiences

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Studies in selected authors. Specific authors change. May be repeated with content changes.

Prerequisites: none

Study of literature from the 21st century, with an emphasis on how these works reflect contemporary concerns.

Prerequisites: ENG 275W

This course critically examines a wide array of literature, non-fiction essays and articles, film and art to explore the historical experiences of diverse Arab American communities. The course will begin by discussing major issues in the field, the history of immigration and citizenship, and developments in Arab American writing. Students will learn about waves of immigration from the 1880s onward, the literary communities that formed, and their contemporary legacy. The course will enable the students to better comprehend the historical and cultural contexts in which Arab American literature has evolved and the diverse perspectives of individual writers and artists.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Topics have included genres such as fantasy or historical fiction and thematic topics such as survival or journeys. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes.

Prerequisites: none

Selected periods of literary study.

Prerequisites: none

Topics on themes, issues, and developments in genres of the literatures of the world. Content changes. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Topics on themes, issues, and developments in genres of the literatures of the world. Content changes. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A study of selected novels from a variety of time periods and cultures, including Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Prerequisites: none

This writing-intensive course surveys the earliest Native American literary works, from oral tradition and songs to contemporary works and authors, with a particular emphasis on tribal and cultural contexts that identify these works as Native American.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course surveys the origins and development of Chicana/o and Latina/o literature, from oral narratives, early poetry, and narrative fiction and memoirs, through the Chicano Movement and the emergence of Chicana/o literature and drama. The course also examines contemporary Chicana/o and Latina/o narrative fiction, including issues related to im/migration, the urban experience, Chicana/o and Latina/o subjectivity, and the reappropriation and reinterpretation of myths, legends, and cultural figures in transnational context.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This writing-intensive course surveys the earliest African American literary works, including slave narratives, poetry, folklore, and oration, through 20th century movements such as the Jazz Age, Harlem Renaissance, and Black Arts Movement of the 1960s, to contemporary works and authors.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Theories of literature and its production and use. Prereq: 6 semester credits in literature.

Prerequisites: 6 semester credits in literature

Selected works of literature for students in grades 5-12 from a variety of countries and cultures.

Prerequisites: none

A survey of literature for students in grades 5-12, fiction, and non-fiction, and methods of teaching this literature.

Prerequisites: none

The development of English from its origins as a dialect of Proto-Indo-European to its current form, with consideration of its social history as well as its formal development.

Prerequisites: none

Various topic-oriented courses in literature.

Prerequisites: none

Specialized, in-depth study of topics such as Holocaust literature, environmental literature, or regional literature. May be repeated with change in topic. WHEN OFFERED AS A CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP, this course may fulfill a workshop requirement.

Prerequisites: none

Other Graduation Requirements

Choose 8 credit(s): take one series Language

Minor

Required Minor: Yes. Any.

Degree Plan

First Year

Fall - 18 Credits

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

World Languages Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 18 Credits

An introduction to literary genres and to the techniques of writing about literature.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

World Languages Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Second Year

Fall - 17 Credits

Representative works from British literature encompassing Beowulf through the Eighteenth Century. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

Specific topics in multicultural literature with detailed study of a particular period, region, or group in the United States and their contributions to a diverse literature. Topics include African American Literature, American Indian Literature, Southern Writers of Color, and others. May be repeated as topics change.

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Representative works from British Literature, the Romantic Period to the present. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

A survey of American Literature from its beginnings to the end of the Civil War. Prereq: ENG 275

Prerequisites: none

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Topics on themes, issues, and developments in genres of the literatures of the world. Content changes. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Spring - 17 Credits

Theories of literature and its production and use. Prereq: 6 semester credits in literature.

Prerequisites: 6 semester credits in literature

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

General Elective Course * 4 credits

General Elective Course * 4 credits

General Elective Course * 4 credits

General Elective Course * 4 credits