Programs in English
BA in English (Literature)
Contact: Dr. Alice Rutkowski (rutkowsk@geneseo.edu)
Total credits required to complete major: 40
Basic Requirements: 16 credits
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 203: Reader and Text: (Subtitle) Note: This course is the prerequisite for English courses at the 300 and 400 levels. |
4 |
| One ENGL course in early literature (before 1700) | 4 |
| One ENGL course in modern literature (1700-1900) | 4 |
| One ENGL course in recent literature (1900- ) | 4 |
Electives in English selected under advisement (a minimum of 12 hours must be in literature):
24 credits
Notes
- Majors must successfully complete at least 8 credits of English at the 300 level.
- Majors must successfully complete at least 16 credits of English at the 400 level.
- Majors must successfully complete the self-reflective advising requirement. (Applies only to students who begin their program in fall 2014 or later.)
- 3-credit courses transferred from other institutions may fulfill certain of the requirements above, but all students must successfully complete a minimum of 40 credits.
- A grade of C- or above is required in any course applied to the program.
- Courses in film studies (FMST) may be used to meet these requirements.
- There is a maximum of 8 credits at the 100-level (this includes AP, IB and other transfer credits).
- Learning Outcomes in English/Literature
-
100 level: General Interest
100-level courses in English explore a variety of topics and media types in a way that is accessible to majors and non-majors alike. All courses at this level help students to develop fundamental skills for critical reading and effective writing. English majors in the literature or creative writing track may count no more than one course at this level towards the requirements of the major.
In literature courses at the 100 level, students will demonstrate:
- the ability to read texts closely
- the ability to write clear and effective English prose
200 level: Reader and Text
The 200 level in the literature track provides students with an introduction to the discipline through the study of particular topics, issues, genres, or authors. Under the general heading Reader and Text: (Subtitle), literature courses at this level help students understand the theoretical questions that inform all critical conversations about textual meaning and value. They provide a working vocabulary for analyzing texts, relating texts to contexts, and discussing the difference that theory makes. Through discussion and writing, they invite students to participate in the ongoing conversation about texts and theory that constitutes English as a field of study.
In literature courses at the 200 level, students will demonstrate:
- the ability to read texts closely
- the ability to write clear and effective English prose
- the ability to write analytically about texts in accordance with the conventions of textual criticism
- an understanding of how criticism as a practice gives rise to questions about how to conduct that practice, questions that are constitutive of the discipline: e.g., questions concerning what we should read, why we should read, and how we should read
300 level: Connections
300-level courses in the literature track put a spotlight on the connections between texts and contexts. No matter what the title, a course at this level gives students an understanding of the dynamic relationship between individual texts and the broader culture from which they emerge. Many, though not all, of these courses, are organized with an eye towards historical periods and movements. Those that concern written texts pay particular attention to the historical development of language.
In literature courses at the 300 level, students will demonstrate:
- the ability to read texts in relation to history
- an understanding of how texts are related to social and cultural categories (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, ability), enterprises (e.g., philosophy, science, politics), and institutions (e.g., of religion, of education)
- an understanding of how language as a system or linguistic change over time inform literature as an aesthetic object, expressive medium, or social document
400 level: Investigations
400-level courses in the literature track invite students to study a topic, issue, genre, or author in depth. No matter what the title, a course at this level engages students in some degree of research into published critical perspectives on primary works or important primary contextual documents. The quantity of reading and writing required at this level is typically greater than at the 3 level. However, students who have completed a 200-level literature course should regard themselves as adequately prepared to take courses at either the 3 or the 4 level.
In literature courses at the 400 level, students will demonstrate:
- the ability to "join the conversation" that is always ongoing among critics and scholars regarding texts, authors, and topics by engaging with secondary sources
- an in-depth understanding of a single author, a small group of authors, or a narrowly-defined topic, theme, or issue
BA in English (Creative Writing)
Contact: Creative Writing Coordinator, Sonya Bilocerkowycz (sbilocerkowycz@geneseo.edu)
Students must apply to become majors in the Creative Writing track. Admission to the Creative Writing track is determined based on the student's preparedness for advanced creative writing study, as illustrated in their application. Students apply for the track when they apply for a 300-level advanced creative writing workshop (but students do not have to be in the Creative Writing track or applying to the Creative Writing track to apply to take a 300-level advanced creative writing workshop).
Then application for advanced Creative Writing workshops (ENGL 301, 302, and 305) is available online here. The deadline to apply for Spring 2025 workshops is October 30, 2024 November 21, 2024 at 11:59pm.
Upon acceptance into the track, students who have declared a major in English/literature will need to submit a Change of Major form to formally declare their major as English/Creative Writing.
Total credits required to complete major: 44
Basic Requirements: 28 credits
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 203: Reader and Text: (Subtitle) | 4 |
| ENGL 201: Foundations of Creative Writing | 4 |
| ENGL 402: Senior Seminar in Creative Writing | 4 |
| Four advanced workshop courses (from ENGL 301, ENGL 302, ENGL 303, ENGL 304, ENGL 305, ENGL 307, ENGL 426) | 16 |
Electives: 16 credits
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| 3 ENGL elective courses in literature (at least one must be at the 400 level) | 12 |
| 1 elective from ENGL 102, ENGL 202, ENGL 206, ENGL 207, ENGL 301, ENGL 302, ENGL 303, ENGL 304, ENGL 305, ENGL 307, ENGL 426, ENGL 428, FMST 310 | 4 |
Notes
- Admission to the Creative Writing track is by selection. Students who wish to pursue the track must submit an application and a sample of their writing.
- At least 3 of the student's elective courses must be drawn from literature.
- At least one of the student's courses in literature must be at the 400 level.
- 3-credit courses transferred from other institutions may fulfill certain requirements above, but all students must successfully complete a minimum of 44 credits.
- A grade of C- or above is required in any course applied to the program.
- No more than one course at the 100 level may be counted towards the requirements of the major.
- Learning Outcomes in Creative Writing
-
200 level: Foundations
The 200 level in the creative writing track provides students with an introduction to the discipline through the study of various genres of creative writing including poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Creative writing courses at this level help students understand what it means to read as a writer and write with an awareness of the craft elements within the different genres. They provide a working vocabulary for analyzing texts and critiquing peers' writings. Students discuss the choices writers make (and why) and consider those choices in their own writing and editing endeavors.
In creative writing courses at the 200 level, students will demonstrate
- the ability to read texts closely
- the ability to write clear and effective English prose
- an understanding of differences between and requirements of the genre
- knowledge of craft and technique in genres under study
- proficiency at critiquing peer and published work
300 level: Studio
The 300-level creative writing courses are advanced writing workshops in which students will engage in more in-depth study in the various genres. Students will read published works in the class genre, but the majority of the reading material is produced by the students. Because students write a majority of the workshop's reading material it is essential that the workshop participants have successfully met the learning outcomes of the 200-level writing classes for the course to maintain the rigor necessary at this level of their development. All students must submit a writing application for entrance into the 300-level writing workshops, and those applications must be approved by the course professors. Students will write pieces in the course's genre and submit them to their peers for written and verbal critique that the writer will use to revise the work.
In creative writing courses at the 300 level, students will demonstrate
- knowledge of elements, modes, and forms of chosen genre
- proficiency at critiquing peer and published work
- the ability to incorporate criticism into revision of creative work
400 level: Writing in the World
400-level creative writing courses prepare students for the more public aspects of the writing life, including publication and readings. These courses form a bridge between writing for the classroom and writing within a larger literary community. Students will attend various readings (including those of their peers) and literary events to learn about opportunities for writers and ways of sustaining a literary life beyond Geneseo.
In creative writing courses at the 400 level, students will demonstrate
- proficiency at presenting work to readers in public readings, publication or exhibits
- an understanding of the processes of revision, submission, publication
- knowledge of contemporary writers and literary journals
BA in Comparative Literature
Contact: Dr. Lytton Smith (smithlj@geneseo.edu)
The flexibility to combine courses from several national literatures and to study literature along with other disciplines is the hallmark of the Comparative Literature major. Students may also count courses which read literature in translation; however, a minimum of eight credits must come from upper-level (300- or 400-level) literature courses in a language other than English. You can find more information about the Comparative Literature program on the Comparative Literature website.
Total credits required to complete major: 38-46
Basic requirements: 26-30 credits
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| CMLT 200 Reading Transnationally: (Subtitle) | 4 |
| CMLT 499 Directed Study (Senior Thesis) | 4 |
| One course in ENGL or Languages and Literatures with an emphasis on genre | 3-4 |
| One course with an emphasis on theory in ENGL, ARTH, PHIL, or Languages and Literatures (e.g., PHIL 102, PHIL 330, PHIL 340, PHIL 375, HIST 220) | 3-4 |
| Two upper-level (300- or 400- level) literature courses in a foreign language | 6 |
| Two courses in period studies (ENGL or Languages and Literatures) | 6-8 |
Electives: 12-16 credits
Four additional courses (ENGL, Languages and Literatures, and fields of interdisciplinary relevance to the student's interest)
Notes
- No more than 18 hours of coursework in literature in a foreign language may be applied to the major.
- One of the courses in period studies should complement the period to be covered in the student's senior thesis.
- At least two of the student's elective courses must be literature courses in ENGL or Languages and Literatures. (The other two may be drawn, under advisement, from fields of interdisciplinary relevance to the student's interest.)
- Majors must successfully complete the self-reflective advising requirement. (Applies only to students who begin their program in fall 2014 or later.)
- 3-credit courses transferred from other institutions may fulfill certain requirements above, but all students must successfully complete a minimum of 38 credits.
- A grade of C- or above is required in any course applied to the program.
You can find more information about the Comparative Literature program on the Comparative Literature website.
Minor in English
Total credits required to complete minor: 24
Basic requirements: 4 credits
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 203 Reader and Text: (Subtitle) | 4 |
Electives: 20 credits
Five additional courses in ENGL
Notes
- At least two of the student's elective courses must be drawn from the advanced level, i.e., advanced workshops in creative writing at the 300-level, and any combination of literature courses at the 400-level.
- No more than one course at the 100-level may be applied to the minor.
- ENGL 201: Foundations of Creative Writing, is a prerequisite for advanced workshops in creative writing and that admission to these workshops is by application to the creative writing faculty.
- 3-credit courses transferred from other institutions may fulfill certain requirements above, but all students must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits.
- A grade of C- or above is required in any course applied to the program.
- Courses in film studies (FMST) may be used to meet these requirements.
Concentration in English for Education majors
Total credits required to complete concentration: 32
Basic requirements: 4 credits
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENGL 203 Reader and Text: (Subtitle) | 4 |
Electives: 28 credits
Seven additional courses in ENGL
Notes
- Concentrators must complete ENGL 203 to take literature courses at 300 or 400 level.
- Concentrators must take one course designated "early" (pre-1700), one course designated "modern" (1700-1900), and one course designated "recent" (1900- ).
- Concentrators must successfully complete at least 8 credits of English at the 300 level.
- Concentrators must successfully complete at least 8 credits of English at the 400 level.
- 3-credit courses transferred from other institutions may fulfill certain of the requirements above, but all concentrators must successfully complete a minimum of 32 credits.
- No more than 4 credits at the 100 level may be applied to the concentration.
Minor in Film Studies
contact: Dr. Alice Rutkowski (rutkowsk@geneseo.edu)
The Film Studies minor provides students with substantial interdisciplinary study of the history, aesthetics, and culture of film. Students will acquire a critical vocabulary for analyzing the art of film and a technical vocabulary for discussing the craft of filmmaking. They will also learn about film history and the development of its many genres and movements. Courses are mostly designated under English or Film Studies, but may be taken with appropriate subtitles from other departments. The interdisciplinary approach brings diverse perspectives to the analysis of film and its role in our culture. Although the film studies minor is intended only to support a chosen major field of study, students may elect to explore possible graduate study in film studies or careers in filmmaking and its related fields.
Alice Rutkowski, Coordinator (rutkowsk@geneseo.edu)
Total credits required to complete minor: 20
Basic requirements: 4 credits
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| FMST 100 F/Introduction to Film Studies | 4 |
Electives: 16 credits
Four to five courses from the options below. Some courses may be taken twice under different subtitles.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| FMST 270 Video Production | 4 |
| FMST 409 Film Theory and Criticism | 4 |
| BKST 288: Black Cinema | 4 |
| COMM 342: Mass Media and Society | 4 |
| COMM 267: Visual Communication | 4 |
| COMM 260: Intro to Mass Communication | 4 |
| FMST 310 Screenwriting | 4 |
| FMST 369 Connections in Film: (Subtitle) | 4 |
| FMST 459 Film Authors: (Subtitle) | 4 |
| FMST 499 Directed Study | 4 |
| ENGL 329 American Visions: (subtitle) With subtitles such as The Film Hero or American Avant-Garde Film |
4 |
| ENGL 360 Post-Colonial Literature: (subtitle) With subtitles such as Hong Kong Action Film |
4 |
Notes
- 3-credit courses transferred from other institutions may fulfill certain requirements above, but all students must complete a minimum of 20 credits.
- A grade of C- or above is required in any course applied to the program.
Integrative Curricular Microcredentials
Integrative Curricular Microcredentials related to English (click to expand):
- ICM in Science Communication
-
Description:
This microcredential will allow students to connect science topics to communication skills and so prepare for professional opportunities including freelance writing, journalism, and graduate study.
Requirements:
1. Academic Content: 9 credits in
- ENGL 102/201/202/305 or FMST 270 or COMN 107/212/213/251/275/277 or DANL 310
- 1 STEM course
- BIOL 384
2. Integrative or applied learning experience, selected in consultation with the faculty coordinator
Following BIOL 384, students will develop and carry out an integrative, high-impact project in science communication via either an internship or a Directed Study; the high-impact project will involve disseminating science to a broader public, such as through a publication, presentation, podcast, etc. During the microcredential, students will engage in active reflection on science communication through metacognitive activities including dialogue with others in the program.
3. Self-reflective statement
Faculty Coordinator: Mackenzie Gerringer, Biology
email: gerringer@geneseo.edu, office: ISC 255
- ICM in Performance as Social Change
-
Description:
Performance as Social Change is an academic credential for students interested in understanding the critical role arts-based performances play in facilitating and advancing social change through interdisciplinary coursework. The Microcredential includes the creation of a Capstone experimental performance. As part of this credential program, students will design their learning experiences around the concept of social change through performance. Throughout this program, underrepresented students of color and those that have unequal access and opportunity to performance-based knowledge, skills, and critical pedagogies will gain active mentorship by faculty of color and guest artists through curricular and co-curricular activities and self-reflection upon them. Students will exit the microcredential program with a broad array of skills and competencies related to social change, leadership, civic engagement, research, communication, and performance.
Requirements:
1. Academic Content: 11-12 credits in
- PASC 105 and 106
- PASC 205 and 206 OR THEA 221 OR 2 of (DANC 101/102/103/104/201/202/203/204/250/301/302/303 OR MUSC 280 OR ANTH 100 or 120 OR BIOL 105 OR BLKS 188 OR INTD 105/288 OR COMN 102/103/160/251/355 OR ENGL 101/201/203 OR ENVR 124 OR HIST 162/249/60/275 OR HUMN 222
- PASC 341
2. Integrative or applied learning experience, selected in consultation with the faculty coordinator
The Capstone (4 credits) will result in the creation of an experimental performance that brings together in a critical way the social change themes and concepts identified and developed through the gateway course and the elective coursework. A performance is presented on campus each spring semester.
An ePortfolio assignment will enable the students in the Microcredential to record and reflect on the intellectual, personal, social and civic development that occurs throughout participation in the Microcredential.
3. Self-reflective statement
Faculty coordinator: Mark Broomfield, English
email: broomfield@geneseo.edu, office: Schrader 152C
- ICM in Carceral Studies
-
Description:
By the second half of the 20th century, the United States' prison population had grown exponentially to reach both the highest rate of incarceration and the largest number of prisoners of any country in the world. Across the Americas, social movements have also shed light on the unjust and violent policing practices threatening the lives of people with minoritized social identities. This interdisciplinary and integrative microcredential provides students with the opportunity to examine the historical, social, political, legal, and economic contexts for understanding policing and mass incarceration, as well as the relationship between prisons, policing and racism. Through the completion of an integrative and applied learning experience, students will explore how to confront and respond to the injustices inherent in policing and mass incarceration.
Requirements:
1. Academic Content: 9 or more credits
- AMST 200 Race, Prisons, and Policing (3 credits)
- Additional Carceral Studies Course (3-4 credits): selected from
- BLKS 200 Black Lives Matter
- HIST 413 Black Power and Structural Inequality in Post-1945
- PHIL 377 Problems in the Philosophy of Law
- SOCL 310 Sociology of the Law
- SOCL 347 Criminology and Juvenile Delinquency
- SOCL 354 Political Sociology
- Complementary Course (3-4 credits): selected from
- ANTH 326 Race, Racism and Antiracism in the Americas
- HIST 262 American Indian Law and Public Policy
- HIST 266 Civil Rights Movement in America
- PHIL 208 Philosophy of Race
- PLSC 417 Identity & Politics in the United States
- PLSC 451 Fragile and Collapsed States
- HUMN 222 Black Humanities
- SOCL 230 Race and Ethnicity
- WGST 310 Race, Class and Gender
- XLRN 150 Foundations in Social Identity
2. One Integrative and Applied Learning Experience (1-3 credits):
- AMST 393 Honors/Research
- AMST 395 American Studies Internship
- AMST 399 Directed Study
3. A self-reflective statement is included in the Integrative and Applied Learning course
Faculty Coordinator: Caroline Woidat
email: woidat@geneseo.edu, office: Welles 228A
Interdisciplinary Programs
Interdisciplinary programs related to English include the following: