2021-2022 Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English, BA


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Emphases within the English Major

  • Elementary/Special Education
  • Literature
  • Rhetoric and Writing
  • Secondary Education

*Contact the English Department Chair, Kirsten Ortega kortega@uccs.edu, for information about how to complete the English major fully online.

General Requirements

For all emphases, students, including transfers, must complete at least 15 credit hours with the UCCS English department and at least 18 upper-division (3000+ level) credit hours. English majors must complete all required English courses with grades of C- or better.

All English majors are required to submit an assessment prior to graduation.

All English majors are assigned an advisor within the department; please see details under “Contacts” on the English department website: english.uccs.edu.

All English majors must register for and attend a mandatory English department workshop in their first year at UCCS. The workshop is typically held at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. Please see the English department website for information on how to register for the workshop.

Students Who Contemplate Teaching

Statements of curricular requirements for a Colorado teaching certificate in English may be obtained from the College of Education. Students planning to teach should also confer with a member of the College of Education faculty about the Teacher Education Program. Since requirements for Education and English make a very tight schedule, students should be fully informed as to both departmental and certification requirements by the beginning of the sophomore year.

Note

Students who wish to apply an online course taken outside UCCS towards their English major must secure written permission from the English department chair or designated advisor.

Departmental Honors

To graduate with departmental honors in English, a student must have a 3.75 GPA in the major, and a 3.5 GPA overall.

Literature Emphasis


Learning Outcomes

  • To be able to interpret a range of literary texts representing cultural diversity, various genres, and historical contexts.
  • To be able to analyze literary texts through the skills of close reading, the context of literary histories, and the lenses of literary criticism and theory.
  • To be able to write cogent, clear, thoughtful essays that demonstrate the student’s control over grammar and mechanics.
  • To be able to use electronic and traditional methods of research effectively.

Students wishing to major in English with an emphasis in Literature must take a minimum of 45 hours of English, including the following specific requirements:

Course Requirements


Senior Assessment-Literature


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Literature emphasis.

Rhetoric and Writing Emphasis


Learning Outcomes

I. Rhetorical Knowledge

  • Students identify and name the elements of a given rhetorical situation.
  • Students apply rhetorical theories to a wide range of situations for analytical and productive purposes.
  • Students evaluate their own or others’ rhetorical choices in light of anticipated consequences.
  • Students understand how genres shape arguments.

II. Writing Process Knowledge

  • Students demonstrate an understanding of the various components of the writing process, including invention, drafting, revision, and editing.
  • Students demonstrate knowledge of the peer-review process and the variety of roles possible within it.
  • Students demonstrate knowledge of various approaches to the teaching of writing.

III. Craft, Genre, & Editing Knowledge

  • Students can compose in a variety of genres.
  • Students organize their written texts in ways that are responsive to the rhetorical situation.
  • Students show coherence and cohesion in their written discourse.
  • Students consider, apply, and control stylistic options (prose style, figurative language, voice, register, tone, word choice, etc.).
  • Students recognize and self-edit errors in syntax, grammar, usage, punctuation, mechanics, and • spelling in written discourse.
  • Students peer-review each other’s work.

IV. Reflective Learning

  • Students consciously synthesize and integrate insights from one writing project and course into another.
  • Students demonstrate awareness of their own writing process.
  • Students can articulate their particular area(s) of interest within rhetoric and writing.

Students wishing to major in English to prepare for careers in Rhetoric and Writing take a minimum of 42 hours of English, including the following specific requirements:

Course Requirements


Rhetoric and Writing Summit Course


Complete one of the following unused courses (1 course/3 credits):

Note: ENGL 4880 may be repeated for this requirement with a different topic.

English Electives


  • Complete an additional 15 credit hours of English electives to fulfill total and upper-division (3000+ level) requirements for the major.

Senior Assessment-Rhetoric & Writing


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Rhetoric & Writing emphasis.

Elementary or Special Education Emphasis


Learning Outcomes

  • Students demonstrate the ability to write clearly, cogently, and thoughtfully.
  • Students demonstrate language control including grammar, mechanics and syntax.
  • Students demonstrate awareness of multiple theories of literacy.
  • Students demonstrate analysis of texts through close & critical reading using multiple theoretical lenses.
  • Students demonstrate the ability to interpret a range of texts representing diversity, various genres and historical contexts.
  • Students demonstrate the ability to find appropriate primary and secondary research materials, apply them in writing to support own arguments, and correctly cite sources. 

Students wishing to major in English to prepare for careers in elementary/special education take a minimum of 33 hours of English, including the following specific requirements:

Course Requirements


Rhetoric and Writing Theory Course


Complete one of the following courses (1 course/3 credits):

English Electives


  • Complete an additional 6 credit hours of English electives to fulfill total and upper-division (3000+ level) requirements for the major.

Senior Assessment–Elementary or Special Education


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Elementary or Special Education emphasis.

Secondary Education Emphasis


Students wishing to major in English to prepare for careers as secondary school teachers of English must take a minimum of 45 hours of English, including the following specific requirements:

Course Requirements


English Electives


  • Complete three hours of English electives to fulfill total and upper-division (3000+level) requirements for the major.

Senior Assessment-Secondary Education


  • Complete the Senior Assessment for the Secondary Education emphasis.

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