Department of English

Department Chair: Dr. Barri J. Gold
Professors: Bloom, Cartelli, Coppa, Marsh, Rosenwasser, Scott, Stephen
Associate Professor: Miller
Assistant Professors: Lonsinger, Staidum

The major in English at Muhlenberg offers an exciting and flexible curriculum for the study of diverse literatures written in the English language. We offer an array of courses in British, U.S., Caribbean, and Postcolonial literatures across written, dramatic, filmic, and visual “texts.” From “Reading Alice in Wonderland” to “Energy, Ecology & the Victorian Novel,” there is something to pique every intellectual curiosity. English majors develop into nuanced thinkers, astute readers, and adept writers who are able to reflect on complex problems and see them in new ways.

Careers that English majors characteristically pursue include law, teaching, journalism and publishing, sales and marketing, advertising and public relations, digital media, management and administration, public service, religion, and research. The program in English is designed to prepare students for a lifetime of attentive and articulate civic and cultural engagement.

General Academic Requirements

200-level ENG courses have no prerequisites and satisfy either the HU (for literature classes) or the AR (for creative writing) general academic requirements. 200-level courses are designed for both majors and non-majors. Students seeking literature courses specifically designed for the non-major may wish to choose among: ENG 113 - British Writers and ENG 115 - American Writers which do not count towards the major or minor. Students interested in more focused thematic or writing courses and/or majoring in English should consider beginning with ENG 275 - Theory & Methods of English Studies or any of those 200 level courses listed below under Reading X, Genres, Connections, and Ethnic & Regional Literatures.

Special Programs

Honors Program

The English Honors program is designed for students of demonstrated critical ability and commitment. Students in the English Honors Program spend the senior year working closely with a faculty advisor in order to research and write an Honors Thesis, a scholarly essay of about 60-70 pages. Graduates with Honors degrees in English are well prepared for a number of post-graduate careers including not only graduate study in English, but also working in publishing, journalism, advertising, the law and anywhere else where analytic ability and strong writing skills are valued.

Honors Program Requirements:

Students wishing to enter the honors program must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3, and a major GPA of at least 3.5, and will take a minimum of eleven courses in the English department (including the two independent studies devoted to thesis work).
By May 1 of the junior year, the student must submit a preliminary proposal endorsed by a faculty mentor, to Dr. Alec Marsh, the Director of the Honors Program. This proposal should be roughly 3-5 double-spaced pages and must include a working bibliography of primary and secondary resources.
A more detailed prospectus and bibliography, developed during the fall semester of independent study, must be submitted by November 15 to the Honors Committee, who will decide whether the student may proceed with the Honors Program. Students who are not cleared to pursue honors instead finish out the fall semester as a simple independent study with no further commitment.
Honors students present their work at a public forum, usually in mid to late April, submit their work to their advisors and two additional faculty readers by May 1 of the senior year, and defend it in a year-end conversation with these three faculty members, who determine the degree of honors to be awarded (none, honors, high, or highest).

Programs

Major

English, A.B.

Minor

Courses

English General Literature

Note: 100 level courses may NOT be counted toward the English major or minor.

Foundation Course for Majors and Minors

ENG 275 - Theory & Methods of English Studies

Reading X

Genres

Connections

Ethnic and Regional Literatures

Medieval and Early Modern Literatures

Note: All 300-level courses require the prerequisite of a 200-level ENG course.

Nineteenth Century

Note: All 300-level courses require the prerequisite of a 200-level ENG course.

Twentieth and Twenty-First Century

Note: All 300-level courses require the prerequisite of a 200-level ENG course.

Tutorials and Seminars

Admission to these courses requires prior arrangement, instructor permission, or advanced class standing.

Introductory Writing Courses

Advanced Writing Courses