English, B.A. (ENGAL)
Majors explore the imaginative and practical uses of English through courses in literature, writing, rhetoric, and language. They develop perspectives on human nature and cultural values through American, British, and other English literatures; they learn how to gather, analyze, synthesize, and communicate information; they gain mastery over their language. These skills help English majors find careers in such fields as publishing, business, industry, government, and teaching. English majors often go on to postgraduate study not only in English but in such areas as law, business, education, or other liberal disciplines.
Majors can emphasize writing, literature, or rhetoric, or a mix of literature, writing, and rhetoric. All provide a liberal education and all develop analytic and writing skills. Qualified students may participate in the career internship and in the English honors program.
Students interested in earning certification in secondary education should contact the College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. (See also Teacher Education Programs.)
For the B.A. degree in English, a minimum of 123 credits is required.
The English major option offered at Penn State Altoona, Writing and Literature in Context, consists of twelve courses (36 credits), four of which are either prescribed or must be drawn from a particular group of courses.
Required Courses (12 credits)
- ENGL 200 or 201
Note: ENGL 201 is not currently offered at Penn State Altoona. ENGL 200 is offered in the fall only. - One 400-level course in pre-1800 literature
- One 400-level course in post-1800 literature
- ENGL 487W or ENGL 494H (3 credits)
Note: ENGL 487W, Senior Seminar in English, is offered in the fall only.
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (18 credits)
18 credits in literature, writing, or rhetoric, at least 9 of which must be at the 300/400 level.
In consultation with an adviser, at least three 400-level credits—from the 18 credits of supporting and related courses in literature, writing, or rhetoric—must fulfill a departmental diversity requirement for a course related to race, gender, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, and/or postcolonial issues.
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (6 credits)
6 credits of any courses in English
All major courses must be completed with at least a grade of C or better.
Several courses may be repeated for credit: ENGL 209 (1 credit, may be taken up to 8 times); most 400-level creative writing courses (ENGL 412, 413, 415, 422, 423, and 425 may be taken twice for credit with instructor approval.)
