Emphasis
The Emphases include Creative Writing, African-American Literature, Rhetoric, Publishing, and the Self-Designed Emphasis, each of which is described and illustrated below. To apply for an emphasis, see your adviser and fill out the Declaration of Emphasis form available in rooms 103 Burrowes or online by clicking Emphasis Form.
Please note: An emphasis is not identified on your diploma or on your transcript: however, you are issued a certificate that attests to your successful completion of your emphasis.
Emphasis on African American Literature
Professor in Charge :
Bernard Bell
S39 Burrowes Building
865-9964
bwb4@psu.edu
From the sorrow songs of the plantation to the exuberant expressions of the Harlem Renaissance, from the Black Arts movement of the '60s to today's postmodern experimentalists, the literature of African Americans forms a rich and vital tradition.
Be a part of this exciting new direction in the English department's curriculum and learn more about the literary achievement of African Americans. Come to 103 Burrowes to schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss how an emphasis in African American literature will fit into your program and to learn more about how it will enrich your undergraduate studies.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 15 credit EMPHASIS:
Required core courses (6 credits):
ENGL 235 - African American Oral Folk Tradition
ENGL 469 - Slavery and the Literary Imagination
Remaining courses (9 CREDITS) :
Six credits must be at the 300-400 level. Three credits may be taken in another department, with English Department approval.
Select 9 credits from:
ENGL 139 - Black American Literature
ENGL 431 - Black American Writers
ENGL 461 - The Vernacular Roots of African-American Literature
ENGL 462 - Reading Black, Reading Feminist
ENGL 463 - African American Autobiography
ENGL 466 - African American Novel I
ENGL 467 - African American Novel II
ENGL 468 - African American Poetry
In addition, the English Department offers several "varying content" courses (such as English 400), which may count for the emphasis, depending upon the particular course content in a specific semester.
Creative Writing Emphasis
Professor in Charge :
Brian Lennon
225 Burrowes bldg
865-6261
bml18@psu.edu
The Creative Writing Emphasis blends the practical and the ideal. It can help to make you more marketable by strengthening your writing and critical thinking skills--assets employers value. And it gives you the space and challenge to explore and develop your creative talent.
With the CREATIVE Writing Emphasis you can:
• Explore equally the different forms of creative writing: fiction, poetry and nonfiction
• Focus primarily on fiction or poetry or creative nonfiction
• Develop a specific, marketable focus in fact-based writing, choosing from courses in biography, science, exposition, technical writing, and editing.
The Creative Writing Emphasis won't "make" you a published writer or "get" you a job, but it will hone your skills in both practical and creative forms by giving you instruction and intensive practice in writing.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 15 CREDIT EMPHASIS:
You must take at least 6 in one genre, at least 3 in a second genre, and a total of 9 credits at the 300 or 400 level.
Fiction: ENGL 212, 412, 422
Poetry: ENGL 213, 413, 423
Nonfiction: ENGL 215, 414, 416, 418, 421, 425
A Creative Writing Emphasis in Nonfiction must include ENGL 415
*ENGL 417 (Editorial Process) and THEA 440 (Playwriting) may be used towards emphasis, although they won't count as genre courses.
ENGL 50 (Introduction to Creative Writing) ENGL 281 (TV Script Writing) and COMM 260 (News Writing and Reporting) cannot be counted towards the emphasis, but they are excellent supplemental courses.
**These courses may be taken twice for credit: 412, 413, 415, 418, 422, 423, and 425.
***Admission to 413 requires 213 as a prerequisite, submission of a portfolio, and departmental permissionPublishing Emphasis
Professor in Charge :
William Cobb
7 Burrowes Building
863-9583
wjc7@psu.edu
Many English majors want to work in a publishing house, and many Penn Staters are now successful in this line of work. The following group of courses constitutes excellent preparation for such a career.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 15 CREDIT EMPHASIS:
Prescribed Courses (9 credits):
ENGL 100 - English Language Analysis
ENGL 417 - Editorial Process
ENGL 495 - Internship
Additional Courses (6 credits) :
Select one from:
ENGL 215 - Introduction to Article Writing
ENGL 297A - Web Based Research Journal
ENGL 421 - Advanced Expository Writing
Select one from:
ENGL 414 - Biographical Writing,
ENGL 415 - Advanced Non-Fiction Writing
ENGL 416 - Science Writing
ENGL 418 - Advanced technical Writing and Editing
ENGL 420 - Writing for the Web
ENGL 421 - Advanced Expository Writing
ENGL 470 - Rhetorical Theory and Practice
ENGL 471 - Rhetorical Traditions
ENGL 472 - Current Theories of Writing and Reading
ENGL 473 - Rhetorical Approaches to Discourse
ENGL 474 - Issues in Rhetoric and Composition
* ENGL 215 is a prerequisite for 415.
** ENGL 421 may fulfill either line 2 or line 4 in the emphasis
Rhetoric Emphasis
Professor in Charge :
Cheryl Glenn
S142 Burrowes Building
863-0271
cjg6@psu.edu
If you're aiming to work in management, law, politics, publishing, or education, your success will depend on how effectively you can analyze written texts and communicate in writing. By taking an emphasis in Rhetoric, you will not only study some of the hottest approaches to written communication and the latest research on getting across to readers, but you'll also learn arts of persuasion that date back to Ancient Greece and Rome.
An emphasis in rhetoric will prepare you to:
• Recognize techniques of argument in a variety of texts--historical and modern, literary and everyday
• Engage in ethical debates: does good rhetoric create good citizens? Who are "good" rhetors?
• Study why some writing situations contribute to accidents and lawsuits
• Find out how writing and reading skills develop from childhood through adulthood
• Sharpen the skills you'll need in professional practice
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 15 CREDIT EMPHASIS:
Prescribed Courses (3 credits):
ENGL 200 - Introduction to Critical Reading
Additional Courses (12 credits)*:
ENGL 470 - Rhetorical Theory and Practice
ENGL 471 - Rhetorical Traditions
ENGL 472 - Current Theories of Reading & Writing
ENGL 473 - Rhetorical Approaches to Discourse
ENGL 474 - Issues in Rhetoric and Composition
* These courses may be taken twice for credit, as long as the specific topic has changed.
Concentrate on whatever aspect of rhetorical studies interests you most--and follow-up your interests with a relevant course in another department. For example, if you are interested in governmental policies, take a related course in speech communications, philosophy, wildlife management, or history. Three credits may be taken in another department, with English Department approval.
Self-Designed Emphasis
In Charge :
Tracey Melnick
140 Burrowes Building
863-0258
tam2@psu.edu
You may design your own emphasis in a variety of areas. As with all emphases, at least 9 credits must be at the 300-400 level.
