Choosing a Concentration
The English Literature, Language, and
Theory concentration provides students
various approaches to the life-enhancing
study of the written word and visual text.
Spotlight courses focus on specific authors,
genres, or themes, and provoke discovery
of new literary experiences. Courses in
African American, Native American, Asian
American, and post colonial literatures
reconfigure the nature of traditional literary
studies. Survey courses in English,
American, and World literatures are organized
by historical periods and provide a
classically structured framework of study.
Courses in literary theory demand the
intense and intellectually challenging
engagement of text, culture, and self.
While some of our courses foreground
theoretical approaches to literature and
deeply examine race, class, and gender in
the consideration of their subject matter,
all of our courses infuse these concerns
into their engagement with primary works
of fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, film,
and drama.
All literature classes involve students in
dynamic and enjoyable literary examination, and are taught by professors who
love
teaching and who love literature. Our
classes develop and demand the skills of
aesthetic receptivity, perceptive and critical
reading, open and clear speaking, and analytical
and engaging writing—skills of the
educated and employable citizen.
The literature, language, and theory
concentration offers courses of study crosslisted
with American Indian Studies, Art,
Communication Studies, Film, Theatre
Arts, and Women’s Studies.
>> English Literature, Language, and Theory Concentration Checklist
The English Writing concentration is
for students who intend to develop professional
skills in either Creative Writing or Media
Writing. Over the course of their study,
students will master terminology; understand
historical, legal, and ethical issues
relevant to the field; and study the works
of established writers and professionals.
The writing major emphasizes expanding
competencies in observation, research, and
analysis that enable writers to gather material
from a variety of sources and perspectives
for their work. Writing majors will
understand the interdisciplinary demands
inherent in creative and media writing
(including issues of design) and will
enhance their appreciation of the aesthetic
possibilities inherent in the writing life.
Writing courses are taught by dedicated
professors who are practicing writers themselves. The writing concentration offers
courses of study cross-listed with Art,
Communication Studies, and Theater Arts.
>> Creative Writing Concentration Checklist
>> Media Writing Concentration Checklist
The Communication Arts/Literature
Teacher Licensure Major is for students
who seek to be licensed to teach in
Minnesota in Communication
Arts/Literature.
Students are encouraged to
take courses toward their major during the
freshman and sophomore years, and to
apply for the education licensure program
no later than the spring of their junior year.
Students in both programs must work
with advisers in the English department
and the education department in order to
meet the professional requirements within
the education department as well as the
requirements for the major. Should licensure
not be possible, graduation can be
achieved through an English major, which
requires at least two additional, specific
courses, or through a Communication
Studies major.
>> Communication Arts/Literature Teacher Licensure Concentration Checklist
