English Language and Literature, BA
Program Description
The English Language and Literature – Secondary Teaching program prepares graduates for secondary-level teacher certification in Michigan, which permits individuals to teach English in grades 6-12. See Secondary Education for additional information. The major is housed in the Department of English.
Featuring small classes, close reading of great works of literature, many opportunities for writing and research, and supervision by faculty who know their students, LSSU English programs emphasize the human letters and language study, and give students many opportunities to excel at what they love.
English Education students have ample opportunities to help coordinate local literary events and festivals as part of their coursework. They are also encouraged to join the English Club, work as editors on student and professional journals, and enter the Stellanova Osborn Poetry Contest and the LSSU Short Story Contest.
In this program, students will complete a teaching major in English Language and Literature and additional professional education requirements that will prepare them for a career in teaching at the secondary level.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Instructional Choices – Candidates will make instructional choices that consider the integrated nature of the English language arts, the relationship between culture and language, and the principles of rhetoric and communication.
- Grammar and Language – Candidates will value both prescriptive and descriptive grammars and conventions of English and appreciate the dynamic nature of English as a language shaped by historical, social, and cultural influences.
- Context – Candidates will consider the broad progression of literary history and critical movements across time and space – including North American literature, classic and world literature, YA literature, visual texts, and critical theory – and place texts in context.
- Text Analysis – Candidates will synthesize knowledge of genre, craft, literary history, and criticism to analyze texts.
- Literacy and Scholarship Practices – Candidates will value, apply, and recommend effective literacy and scholarship practices.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English Requirements | ||
| ENGL 180 | Intro to Literary Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 221 | Intro to Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 222 | Eng Grammar & Lang in Context | 3 |
| ENGL 231 | American Literature I | 3 |
| ENGL 232 | American Literature II | 3 |
| ENGL 320 | Responding to Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 336 | Young Adult Lit and Culture | 3 |
| ENGL 345 | Studies in Classic Texts | 3 |
| ENGL 435 | Studies in Visual Texts | 3 |
| ENGL 380 | History of Literary Criticism | 3 |
| ENGL 490 | Senior Thesis I | 2 |
| ENGL 499 | Senior Thesis | 2 |
| English and Literacy Education Methods | ||
| EDUC 440 | Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDUC 441 | Eng Lang Arts Meth Sec Teacher | 3 |
| or EDUC 451 | Dir St Eng Lang Art Meth Sec | |
| Total Hours | 40 | |
Professional Education Sequence and Education Cognates- see Secondary Education.
Approved Teaching Minor Recommended – see Secondary Education.
General Education: All LSSU bachelor’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.
Bachelor of Arts degree (6-8 credits): One year of a modern language other than English. If taken at LSSU, this would be OJIB 130 Ojibwe Lang I Anishinaabemowin-OJIB 131 Ojibwe Lng II Anishinaabemowin or SPAN 161 First Year Spanish I-SPAN 162 First Year Spanish II. One-half year of two different languages will not meet this requirement.
A minimum of 124 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.70 or higher. A gpa of 2.70 or higher is required in your Major, and a gpa of 2.00 or higher is required in your General Education Requirements.