Academic Advising
The English major may choose an emphasis in one of the following:
- literature
- linguistics
- writing
- elementary school teaching, leading to licensure
- secondary school teaching, leading to licensure.
The English minor may choose an emphasis in one of the following:
- literature
- writing
- language and linguistics: linguistics
- language and linguistics: language
- cinema studies.
The Department of English Department assesses the major in designated capstone courses. Portfolios of papers assigned through these courses will be read by several members of the faculty. Capstone courses should not be taken until the student's final year of study. Because a capstone course may not be offered every semester, students should discuss scheduling with Department of English advisors. Further information is available in the Department of English.
For detailed descriptions of current major and minor requirements, please see the MSU Denver Catalog, LAS-English section. Specific course descriptions are also included in the catalog.
**You may DOWNLOAD a current departmental advising handout with a list of required classes (in Microsoft Word format) by clicking on the titles below.**
English Major for Bachelor of Arts
Literature Emphasis Major Handout (40 KB)
The English major or minor, literature emphasis, encompasses a full range of American, British, and world literature. The program provides a strong foundation of courses in literature and language, sequenced to cultivate a sense of literary development, and fosters an increasing familiarity with major works and writers, critical theory, literary terminology, and research materials. Because of their command of the written language, their ability to deal with ideas and concepts as well as facts, and their broader understanding of human nature and social realities, literature majors are valued in many fields, including academe and the world of business.
Linguistics Major Handout (53 KB)The Linguistics major is designed to help students gain knowledge about language and its significance in society, to aid students in critical thinking, and to prepare them for a world of linguistic diversity. This major is excellent for students who are planning careers in business, law, education, or writing. The major also prepares students for graduate programs in linguistics or a particular linguistics subfield, such as anthropological linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, computational linguistics, modern or classical languages, or ESL.
Writing Emphasis Major Handout (40 KB)
The writing emphasis provides extensive study, practice, and opportunity for performance in various modes and genres of writing as well as a foundation in the appreciation of the literary heritage available in the English language. Courses should be selected after consultation with a writing faculty advisor.
Elementary School Teaching Emphasis Major Handout (41 KB)
The elementary school teaching emphasis in English, offered in conjunction with the Colorado State Department of Education licensure program, prepares future teachers of elementary education to understand and teach the diverse subject matter required for licensure. The program will provide students with a strong foundation in literature and literary genres; a solid perspective on the English language, including its history, structure, and constituents; and both theory and practice in composition, language arts, communication, and teaching methodology. It also addresses the need to prepare teachers to teach multicultural literature, accommodate cultural and ethnic diversity in language and writing, and communicate effectively with a diverse population of students.
Secondary School Teaching Emphasis Major Handout (40 KB)
The education emphasis in English, offered in conjunction with the Colorado State Department of Education licensure program, prepares future teachers of English to understand and teach the diverse subject matter required for licensure. This program equips students with a wide variety of language principles and skills; practical experience in developing and presenting the process of writing; sound knowledge of approaches to literature and literary genres, periods, and authors (including a special focus on young adult literature); and an understanding of communication and media as used in English studies. In addition to meeting specified state and departmental requirements, this program offers students the opportunity to develop further specialization in writing, language, or literature to complement the major.
English Minor
Literature Emphasis Minor Handout (39 KB)
The literature concentration encompasses a range of American, British, and world literature. The program provides a strong foundation of courses in literature and language, sequenced to cultivate a sense of literary development and foster an increasing familiarity with major works and writers, critical theory, literary terminology, and research materials. Because of their command of the written language and their ability to deal with ideas and concepts as well as facts, literature majors are valued in many fields, including academe, the law, and the world of business.
Writing Emphasis Minor Handout (39 KB)
The writing emphasis provides extensive study, practice, and opportunity for performance in various modes and genres of writing as well as a foundation in the appreciation of the literary heritage available in the English language. Courses should be selected after consultation with a creative writing faculty advisor.
Linguistics Minor Handout (50 KB) Lang Minor Handout (49 KB)
The language and linguistics minor offers concepts about, theories of, and analytical techniques in natural language. It represents an intellectual discipline in itself and simultaneously serves the interests of future teachers, students of literature and writing, and others who have a continuing fascination with language as language. Taken in an appropriate order made evident by careful advising, the courses in the program educate students both to use and to appreciate their language. The minor requires students to engage in vigorous, progressively more explicit and precise analysis and synthesis as they examine facts and fallacies about the miracle of language.
Cinema Studies Minor Handout (34 KB)
Cinema Studies (or Film Studies) involves critical attention to the art of motion pictures designed for public, theatrical projection--that is, movies. The minor degree program and the closely aligned certificate program include study of cinematic genres and forms, critical vocabulary, historical perspectives, worldwide cultural contexts, and directorial achievements inside or outside the film industry. Advising and instruction draw on faculty from the Departments of Art, English, Speech, and Modern Languages, but most of the coursework in this program is offered by the Department of English.
