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ENGLISH

Marston Hall
206-281-2036

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Understanding the central role of imagination in living lives of compassion and service in a diverse, interconnected world guides the mission of the SPU English Department.

As English majors, students encounter some of life's fundamental questions about the human condition. They think about the truth-telling possibilities of story, as well as cultivating an understanding of "the word" as God's uniquely human gift. Students think, read, and write extensively in an English academic program marked by a strong degree of community both inside and outside the classroom. And because the study of English also rests on the rigorous tools of critical thinking and textual interpretation, it is excellent preparation for life beyond the university, as well.

Specifically, the wide array of literature courses offered in this program shows how language enables us to investigate and shape our understanding of individuals, human culture, and creation. A student in English may read everything from Beowulf to Shakespeare to contemporary African literature, studying both the traditional "great works" of the Western cannon as well as emerging voices worldwide — in genres ranging from poetry to novels to film.

Writing is also central to the work of our discipline. The creative writing concentration of an SPU English major offers training in the craft of three major genres, in addition to deep study in literature and the poetics of the writer's chosen form.

Careers After College

After college, SPU English majors are sought after by a wide variety of employers and professional degree programs for their expertise in human relationships, communication, interpretation, analysis, and synthesis of important information. Our graduates have entered professions such as the law, medicine, the arts, teaching, ministry — and every type of business. An SPU English degree is excellent training for a successful life after graduation.

By the time of graduation, then, it is our goal that every SPU English major will gain knowledge of British, American, and world literature. They will be skilled in textual interpretation, research, and writing of all kinds. They will understand the relationship between faith and the literary arts, and will understand the power and purpose of imagination in using God's gift of the word.

Admission to the Major
Formal admission to the English major is usually accomplished early in the sophomore year — or, in the case of transfer students, in the second quarter of residence. The (PDF) must be approved by each student's faculty advisor as well as by the department chair.

To qualify for admission to the major, a student should successfully complete at least 10 credits of work in English with a 2.5 GPA or better. At least five of those credits must come from one of the following list of core major courses: ENG 2225, 2251, 2252, 2253. Students must complete the major requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major.

Requirements for the English Major

Students in both the Literature and Creative Writing Concentrations must complete a shared core of courses that ground their understanding of literary history and the interpretive tools of our discipline. Each concentration also has a second core requirement emphasizing craft and methodology. Upper-division coursework in each concentration then moves on to advanced competency in the field, leading ultimately to the English undergraduate degree. If a student is double-majoring in both the Literature and Creative Writing concentrations, the core English major courses may count toward both degrees but no more than 10 other English credits can be counted twice.

Detailed description of major degree requirements:

English Major: Literature Concentration

English Major: Creative Writing Concentration

Admission to the Minor

There are three minor programs available in English: Literature, Creative Writing, and Professional Writing. Students must complete the minor requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the minor. All applicants for English minors must have an average GPA of 2.5 or higher in at least two English courses at the 2000 level or above. In addition, Creative and Professional Writing minors must have their list of elective courses approved by their faculty advisor before being admitted to the minor.

Non-English majors who seek a minor in Creative Writing must also include at least 10 credits of literature in their electives. Finally, English majors may count no more than 10 credits of work in a minor toward their major degree credits.

Detailed descriptions of minor degree requirements:

English Literature Minor Requirements

Creative Writing Minor Requirements

Professional Writing Minor Requirements

Integrated Studies Major with a concentration in Language Arts (For students seeking K-8 certification)

Students who are planning to obtain elementary school teacher certification and are interested in English or language arts must major in the Integrated Studies major with a concentration in language arts.

• The concentration consists of courses in literature, writing, and grammar.
• to this major is through the English Department advisor for the language arts concentration, Professor Luke Reinsma (lreinsma@spu.edu).
• Further information on the elementary certification program is available in the School of Education section of the Undergraduate Catalog. 

Note: Students completing the Integrated Studies major with language arts concentration are subject to the foreign language requirements for English majors outlined below.

Requirements for Integrated Studies: Language Arts Concentration

Requirements for Elementary Certification

Foreign Language Requirement
All students who complete the English major must be proficient in a foreign language. Proficiency is established upon satisfactory completion of the third quarter of a first-year college-level foreign language course or its equivalent.

For alternate ways of satisfying this requirement, see the General Education section of this Catalog. Language proficiency is not satisfied by transfer of an associate’s degree from a community college unless the transcript records the completion of adequate foreign language coursework. It is strongly recommended, however, that English majors complete at least two years of study of either a contemporary or ancient foreign language.

Study Abroad Opportunities

British Isles Quarter. A biennial study abroad program, , offers students an opportunity to take regular English courses from an SPU professor while residing and traveling in Great Britain for a full academic quarter. For details about upcoming BIQs, visit .

Summer Program in South Africa. A biennial summer study tour, the offers students an opportunity to take regular English courses from an SPU professor while traveling in South Africa for a month. For details on upcoming tours, visit .

Rome: Art and Incarnation. A biennial and interdisciplinary summer study tour, the program offers students an opportunity to study creative writing, aesthetics, art, art history, and theology while staying in Rome, Italy, for a month. Co-sponsored by the SPU English and Art departments. For details on upcoming tours, visit .

Publications

Image: A Journal of the Arts and Religion. is an award-winning and nationally recognized literary journal with editorial offices headquartered in the SPU Department of English. English majors may apply to work as interns on the editorial staff of the journal.

Lingua. Lingua is SPU's annual student literary magazine. Under the direction of a faculty advisor, students design, edit, and publish the magazine.

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