English and Communication

B.A. in English and Communication

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Overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree program in English and Communication is varied, flexible and dynamic. It combines practical communications with the study of literature and culture.

English and Communication majors can later work in the entertainment industry, the field of politics, social media, online reputation management, business, law, management, or any other field that requires clear communication skills, understanding other people, and critical thinking.

Students learn to understand how history, technology and culture affect communication, to see the design of what they read and to design what they write thoughtfully, to see the possibilities of various genres, to shape arguments for the needs and audiences, and to appreciate the differing values in visions of human existence.

Students are encouraged to see the world through the eyes of other people, other cultures, and other time periods and to compare those responses to their own responses to the world.

Catalog

Program Objectives

Graduates of the program should be able to:

  1. Create texts:
    1. Express themselves precisely and effectively in a variety of media and variety of styles: professional, creative, casual, academic
    2. Construct effective arguments for specific audiences, appealing to a variety of
      1. values: rationality, fairness, caring, loyalty, authority, sanctity, etc.
      2. emotions:  fear, pity, anger, indignation, compassion, etc.
  2. Compare their views to those of other people, other cultures, and other time periods.
  3. Follow nuanced, complex texts and arguments; identify nuances of meaning
  4. Analyze texts:
    1. Analyze the effect of texts on their audiences:
      1. account for cognitive biases
      2. account for the influence of a specific medium
      3. Account for word choices
    2. Analyze the structure of texts:
      1. place them in their historical and social contexts
      2. evaluate their logic and use of evidence
      3. evaluate their emotional appeal
      4. apply generic conventions

Degree Requirements

Students who wish to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Communication must take 16 courses of the General Education Core and 15 classes in their major. In addition, students must take 14 electives.

The following classes are required: EN217 Persuasion and Public Issues, EN227 Introduction to Literature, EN301 Advanced Composition, EN440 Persuasion and Debate, EN260 Applied Grammar, EN443 Language and Society, EN406 Shakespeare, EN412 Media and Society

The remaining 8 courses can be chosen based on the student’s interest:

Classes recommended for students interested in communication, media and public relations

Courses in this area prepare you to create social media content, to design documents for print and web-based applications, and to argue persuasively for a variety of audiences in a variety of styles. You can work in such areas as advertising, marketing, blogging, radio, film, and event planning.

We recommend that students choose from the following courses:

  • EN371 Social Media in Today’s Workplace
  • BS205 Business Communications
  • CI105 Web Page Design
  • EN155 Introduction to Journalism
  • EN175 Introduction to Digital Media
  • EN205 Creative Writing
  • EN217 Persuasion and Public Issues
  • DM/EN225 Desktop Publishing
  • DM/EN220 Introduction to Digital Film
  • EN380 Negotiation
  • EN370 Group Dynamics and Team building
  • EN440 Persuasion and Debate
  • MR311 Public Relations
  • CP300 and CP301 Cooperative Education
  • EN412 Media and Society
  • Students can also take electives in Marketing and Advertising

Classes recommended for students interested in law

Courses in this area prepare for law school and law practice, students will research complex issues, and create rational and persuasive arguments.

We recommend that students choose from the following courses:

  • EN371 Social Media in Today’s Workplace
  • BS205 Business Communications
  • CI105 Web Page Design
  • EN155 Introduction to Journalism
  • EN175 Introduction to Digital Media
  • EN205 Creative Writing
  • EN217 Persuasion and Public Issues
  • DM/EN225 Desktop Publishing
  • DM/EN220 Introduction to Digital Film
  • EN380 Negotiation
  • EN370 Group Dynamics and Team building
  • EN440 Persuasion and Debate
  • MR311 Public Relations
  • CP300 and CP301 Cooperative Education
  • EN412 Media and Society
  • Students can also take electives in Marketing and Advertising

Classes recommended for students interested in writing, literature, poetry

Courses in this area prepare you to look at the world through the eyes of other people, other cultures and other time periods; history of literature. You will leave the program with a firm grasp of the practice of literary analysis and position, and historical and critical principles and with the ability to examine the values of the past and the present. You can become a writer or prepare for graduate school in any profession.

If you wish to focus on literature, select from the following:

  • EN371 Social Media in Today’s Workplace
  • BS205 Business Communications
  • CI105 Web Page Design
  • EN155 Introduction to Journalism
  • EN175 Introduction to Digital Media
  • EN205 Creative Writing
  • EN217 Persuasion and Public Issues
  • DM/EN225 Desktop Publishing
  • DM/EN220 Introduction to Digital Film
  • EN380 Negotiation
  • EN370 Group Dynamics and Team building
  • EN440 Persuasion and Debate
  • MR311 Public Relations
  • CP300 and CP301 Cooperative Education
  • EN412 Media and Society
  • Students can also take electives in Marketing and Advertising

Sample Degree Outline

The following is a sample outline of the graduation requirements of BA degree in English and Communication (Minimum 180 credit hours).

General Education Core Courses

(64 credit hours)

English and Communication Major Courses

(60 credit hours)
EN217 Persuasion and Public Issues
EN227 Introduction to Literature
EN301 Advanced Composition
EN440 Persuasion and Debate
EN260 Applied Grammar
EN443 Language and Society
EN406 William Shakespeare
EN412 Media and Society
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*100-200 level classes: any EN, plus CI105, CI205, BS205, BS210, MR201, DM225, DM240, DM260, DM290
** Six 300-400 level classes: any EN, plus CP300, CP301, PL310, MR311, MR420

Free Electives

(56 credit hours)
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*50% of electives must be 300 or 400 level

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