English Major

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Program Coordinator/Contact
Jason McEntee, Department Head
Department of English
Pugsley Hall 301, Box 2218
605-688-5191
E-mail: jason.mcentee@sdstate.edu
Click here for additional information.

Program Information
The English major prepares students for teaching careers; for writing and editorial work; for professional schools of law, business, theology, library science, and social work; and for any endeavor in which facility in the use of language is essential.

Academic Requirements
To count toward the Major, courses must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.” Students who take ENGL 222 - one of the three required 300-400 level courses on British or American literature or the Capstone course must be on American literature since 1860. Students who take ENGL 242 - one of the required courses must be on British literature since 1660. Topics courses may only fulfill the specific requirements when approved by the department. All sections of English 210 count as a major elective.

Course Delivery Format
The department offers coursework on campus, online, and at attendance centers around the state.

Requirements for English Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Sciences

Modern Languages Credits: 3-14 (completion and competency in one language at the 202 level or a department-approved advanced upper division language course)
Social Sciences Credits: 8 (Select HIST complimentary to SGR #4 choice)
Humanities Credits: 6

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts and Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts Specifications and Bachelor of Science Specifications .

Major Requirements: 39

ENGL 151 - Introduction to English Studies
Credits: 3¹
ENGL 221 - British Literature I * ** (COM) (G)
Credits: 3
ENGL 241 - American Literature I * ** (COM)
Credits: 3
ENGL 222 - British Literature II * ** (COM) (G)
Credits: 3
or
ENGL 242 - American Literature II * ** (COM)
Credits: 3
One Writing Course Credits: 3
- ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (COM) (AW)
- ENGL 383 - Creative Writing
- ENGL 483-583 - Advanced Creative Writing (COM)
- ENGL 492-592 - Topics
  (on Professional or Creative Writing)²
One Linguistics Course Credits: 3
One Multi-Cultural/Minority Topics Course Credits: 3
- ENGL 211 - World Literature I * ** (COM)
- ENGL 212 - World Literature II * ** (COM) (G)
- ENGL 248 - Women in Literature * ** (COM)
- ENGL 249 - Literature of Diverse Cultures * ** (G)
- ENGL 410 - Mythology and Literature (COM)
- ENGL 445 - American Indian Literature (COM)
- ENGL 447 - American Indian Literature of the Present
- ENGL 268 - Literature * (COM)
  (if multicultural topic)**
- ENGL 492-592 - Topics
  (if multicultural topic)**
300-400 Level English or American Literature Courses: Credits: 9
English or Linguistics Electives: 6
ENGL 479 - Capstone Course and Writing in the Discipline (AW)
³

Supporting Coursework: 6

HIST 111 - World Civilizations I * ** (COM)
Credits: 3
and
HIST 112 - World Civilizations II * ** (COM) (G)
Credits: 3
OR
HIST 121 - Western Civilization I * ** (COM)
Credits: 3
and
HIST 122 - Western Civilization II * ** (COM) (G)

Electives: 29-41

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

1 The department strongly recommends that students take 151 prior to their junior year.
2 When approved by the department.
3 Students must have senior standing and have completed English 151 in order to enroll in 479.

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.