English is the language that pertains to the culture, inhabitants, and ancestry of England. Over the past several decades, the English language has spread to many territories around the world—many being settlements of British emigrants—and has become a more influential factor in the medias of many cultures. These medias express themselves via outlets like literature and film, which help shape cultures in terms of interest. Through the study of English, it is a student’s duty to understand these effects and why they are important. This can be accomplished by having a keen insight of the way literature (especially) and film are established, along with understanding the reason for their establishment and the strategies that make the two so successful within their individual genres. It is only after an individual understands the basis for such influences that can he replicate them.
Because literature has such a large impact on society through mediums like early children’s stories, text books, and news articles, it is important that students pursuing a major in English strive to understand both the reasoning behind these texts and the impact these texts have on society. Once students understand the factors that make certain pieces so iconic, they can use those examples to shape their own style of writing, editing, teaching, or any other skill they choose to pursue after their education.
However, a major in English also stresses an understanding of communication; in order to write or speak to others in a clear way, an individual must know the proper ways of communicating with his colleagues. All of these skills can be learned through the courses listed below, which make up the rudimentary understandings of English.
Below is a list of classes that form the perspective of an English major. Please note that these courses do not include general education courses. The requirements are:
- Literary Analysis (level 210) is the introductory course to English. Much like the 215 course offered at Keene State, this class is designed to get student’s thinking about their directions with the major and broadening their perspective on what it means to major in English.
- Writing through the Ages (level 215) is a preliminary class taken in conjunction with or after Literary Analysis 210. This course focuses on pieces of well-known literary works from specific time periods. The idea of the course is to have students write about the ideals of the society the piece of literature was written in using only the context shown in these texts and other texts presented in the class. The class concludes with a ten page paper in which each student discusses the importance of literature as a timekeeper.
- Creative Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Prose & Poetry (all level 230) focus on the writing part of the English major. Creative Fiction focuses on short pieces of fiction such as anecdotes and fictional short stories; Creative Nonfiction focuses on pieces inspired by true events such as parts of memoir and nonfictional short stories; Prose & Poetry focuses on the stylistic implications of constructing rhythmic pieces. Students are only required to take one of these courses, but may take more than one if they see fit.
- Literature of Advertising (level 250) is a communications class that teaches students the importance of speech in the media. Focusing primarily on advertising—as the title suggests—this course teaches students not only to interpret advertising in the media but also to mimic these advertisements using suggestive literary (and often graphic) techniques.
- Persuasive Speaking (level 310) is a course in which students provide succinct and well-constructed persuasive speeches in an effort to understand grammatical choices that make a persuasion stronger. Concomitantly, it helps students improve upon their public speaking by teaching them techniques to deliver such orations.
- Shakespeare: The Collective Works of Literary Beginnings (level 350) focuses on the works of Shakespeare. In this course, students will analyze Shakespearean literature and wrestle with the question ‘can aspects of Shakespeare be found in the common literature of today?’ The course concludes with a paper comparing Shakespeare’s many literary works and the literary works of modern authors of the students’ individual choosing.
- The History of Literature classes (all level 395) may be combined in whichever way the student sees fit. The classes focus on the literature of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Romantic eras. Students are required to take only two of the three courses offered, but all three may be taken for further understanding. However, taking all three of the history courses does not substitute credits obtained by other classes that are required for the major.
- Developed Literary Analysis (level 480) is a course that assesses students in their knowledge of literature and ability to interpret literary texts. Formed off the prerequisite Literary Analysis 210, this class enhances students’ intellectual skill to comprehend text by presenting them with iconic pieces of literature and focusing on the main and sub concepts of these works. Students will be expected to provide their own perspective through assigned essays and are encouraged to attempt to enlighten their professor as much as possible.
- Writing for the World (level 495) is—along with Developed Literary Analysis 480—the last course English majors are required to complete. This course emphases the growth of students as writers and helps students understand their individual styles of writing. This objective is reached through the development of new assignments—based on the student’s strengths and weaknesses—and the further development of previous works such as essays, short stories, and poetry. Students are expected to finalize their college career with a thesis that describes their personal growth as writers, using past essays and future plans as examples.
These classes form an English major because they portray the ideal of understanding texts and their relation to society. As an English major, it is a student’s duty to make the world an easier place to understand, whether it be through teaching literature or writing literature. The courses above shape these functions through example and application and help students understand that English is not simply a major; it is the way in which our ideas are communicated.
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