Explore the “literary life” and build professional and creative skills in a faith-based environment as you pursue a bachelor of arts in English. Write for publications like The Vista magazine, The Papyrus digital newspaper, The Scriblerus literary magazine, and Pod Lab, a platform for podcast production. Prepare for global citizenship as a critical thinker, careful reader, arts advocate, and dedicated professional.
Opportunities to publish at Greenville University are unparalleled. Build your portfolio and resume by contributing to campus publications.
Mentorship
Enjoy mentoring from professors who actively work as novelists, actors, and playwrights. GU’s 11:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that faculty know and care for you.
Paid positions
Greenville University is proud to offer select paid media positions for students as editors, designers, and podcast producers. Technical positions at The Factory Theatre are also available.
Why GU
Express yourself. We provide the resources you need to hone your creativity. Take part in immersive performances in our campus park; perform plays like a rendition of Romeo and Juliet set in 90’s Greenville College; or create ‘zines, podcasts, or web portfolios.
Unparalleled publication opportunities. Student publications offer you the chance to write in various literary forms, including online news, feature articles, fiction and nonfiction prose, poetry, podcast scripts, and more.
Leadership opportunities. Serve as an editor or producer as you advance in the program and gain valuable experience for a career in an English-related field.
A liberal arts English major requires completion of 33 credits in English, exclusive of composition. The student, in close collaboration with his or her advisor, has latitude in determining which English courses beyond the core may be chosen to meet the 33 required credits. However, certain restrictions apply. No more than 10 credits earned through production and practicum courses (ENGL 231/331, 235/335, 238/338, 405) may be applied to the 33 credits required. Students anticipating graduate work in English should be aware that a reading knowledge of a foreign language is frequently required. The English major leads to a bachelor of arts degree.
English, BA Courses
The course explores various aspects of literature including literary analysis, creative writing, and the role of literature in a liberal arts education. In studying three genres (poetry, fiction, and drama) students will learn to analyze literary texts within a cultural context, explore the role of literary theory in this process, try their hand at creative writing, and consider the ways an understanding of how literature plays a role in a well-rounded liberal arts education and preparation for a chosen career. Meets the general education humanities/literature requirement. (Offered every semester.)
A study of literary selections in various genres from diverse writers around the world. Meets the general education global foundations and humanities/literature requirements. (Offered spring semester.)
Pre-professional work experience in areas such as journalism, publishing, librarianship, law, and TESL. Student enrolled in the course should report directly to a professional supervisor, and the majority of their work should place an emphasis on skills related to their vocational goals. Practicum students who are completing the "writing track" should seek experiences that will emphasize writing, editing, researching, or designing publications, and they should pay particular attention to developing their writing portfolio during this experience. The practicum will be taken for pass/fail credit unless the student formally requests a letter grade before attempting the practicum. (Only a total of eight credit hours from a practicum may be applied toward the required hours for the English major).
A study of the chief writers and types of American literature. Meets the general education humanities/literature requirement. (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years.)
A survey of the major literary currents of Great Britain, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales through the study of selected major works by representative major writers. Meets the general education humanities/literature requirement.
An introductory course in the craft of writing poetry, fiction, and non-fiction with careful consideration of published works, writing exercises, and workshops in each genre. May be taken concurrently with ENGL 105. Meets the general education creative and performing arts requirement. (Offered fall semester of even calendar years.) Corequisite: ENGL 105 or HONR 105.
The course provides students with a theoretical overview of current linguistic, psychological, sociological, and educational issues related to second language acquisition and how they relate to the learning and teaching of second languages.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years.)
This class is designed as an introduction to the history, principles, and practice of news writing. It will provide students with extensive experience in basics of newsgathering and reporting., while placing great emphasis on "hard" news and "beat" writing. Cross-listed with COMM 226.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered fall semester.)
A writing course exploring journalistic, expository forms, and stylistic techniques appropriate for periodical publications and their diverse audiences. Cross-listed with COMM 227.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered fall semester of odd calendar years.)
A study of the chief writers and types of American literature. Meets the general education humanities/literature requirement. (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years.)
A survey of the major literary currents of Great Britain, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales through the study of selected major works by representative major writers. Meets the general education humanities/literature requirement.
An introduction to the literature of a cultural group other than the predominant culture group of the United States. Each time the course is offered it may examine a different literature. The different topics studied could range from African-American Literature to Chinese Literature to Irish Literature to Latin American Literature, but the course will always focus on introducing students to a variety of genres through an exploration of a different culture's literary productions. Meets the general education global foundation and humanities/literature requirements. Course may be repeated due to study of different topics. (Offered spring semester.)
This course builds on the skills acquired in Introduction to Creative Writing to help students hone their writing of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction by exploring the published writers in each field, composing and revising their own work, and critiquing the writing of their classmates. Prerequisite: ENGL 160. (Offered fall semester of odd calendar years.)
This course is an introduction to the discipline and craft of storytelling using multimedia methods. Students explore the major formal elements and components of storytelling using visual, print, and auditory mediums. Students will gain a better understanding of the spiritual, social, and economic roles of storytelling both in terms of storytelling as a powerful tool for gaining an understanding of the world and oneself and as a professional craft. Meets the general education creative and performing arts requirement.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered in the fall semester.)
Students will read and comprehend literature, visual culture, and media communication through various critical frameworks that theorize about these cultural artifacts including New Criticism, the Toronto School, The Frankfurt School, Deconstruction, Postmodernism, Feminist and Gender Studies, Ethnic and Race Studies, Post Colonialism, Psychoanalytic Studies, and New Historicism. Students will apply these theories to literature, film, television, and media productions in order to understand how such critical approaches enhance and challenge the understanding of those.
Prerequisite: COMM101. Cross-Listed as COMM 304.
This course is a survey of the history of theatre from the ancient Greeks to the 18th century. It includes a study of representative plays of various types, historical periods and geographical regions. Emphasis will be on analysis of the plays as well as their production potential. The course will examine theatre as an art that both reflects and influences social and cultural life. Meets the general education creative and performing arts requirement.
Prereq: ENGL 201 or 243 or consent of the instructor. (Offered spring even calendar years). Cross-Listed as COMM 309.
This course is a survey of the history of theatre from the 18th century to the present. It includes a study of representative plays of various types, historical periods and geographical regions. Emphasis will be on analysis of the plays as well as their production potential. The course will examine theatre as an art that both reflects and influences social and cultural life. Meets the general education creative and performing arts requirement.
Prereq: ENGL 201 or 243 or consent of the instructor. (Offered spring even calendar years). Cross-Listed as COMM 310.
A study of the development of English with attention to historical influences as well as to linguistic evolution of sound, forms, structure, and meaning. Students will focus throughout the semester on current issues of gender, ethnicity, regionalism, etc. as they apply to the language. An introduction to the form and syntax of Modern English, with emphasis on the descriptive approach to grammar. Includes review of both traditional grammar and transformational-generative grammar.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered fall semester of odd calendar years.)
This course provides students with information about the different historical and current approaches, methods and techniques used in teaching English as a second language. The course asks students to review and evaluate the different materials available to the instructor for effective delivery of information in the classroom.
Prerequisite: ENGL 214. (Offered fall semester of odd calendar years.)
This course focuses on the dynamic relationship between language, communication, and culture. Students will study how cultural differences between communities and within communities affect the communication process and the language choices people make. (Offered spring semester of even calendar years.)
The course centers on a study of personae (speakers) and their role in the oral performance and communication of literature. There is emphasis on point of view, mode, characterization and dialogue, vocal techniques, and the use of imagery and tone color in oral interpretation. Emphasis is placed on performance as a method for studying literature.
Prerequisite: ENGL 201 or ENGL 243. (Offered fall semester of even calendar years.)
This course will help English education majors develop a pedagogical strategy for teaching writing and literature.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered fall semester of even calendar years.)
This course is a multi-genre exploration of contemporary literature that looks at trends and innovations in literature written in the last few decades. students will be encouraged to deepen their reading, writing, and analysis skills through an in-depth exploration of contemporary literature from multiple cultural traditions.
Prerequisite: ENGL 201. (Offered fall semester of odd calendar years.)
A comprehensive survey of the various types of poetry and prose for children, with considerable attention to the significant historical and folklore backgrounds. Meets the general education humanities/literature requirement.
Prerequisite: ENGL 201, ENGL 243 or education major. (Offered every semester.)
A comprehensive study of contemporary literature for the adolescent, involving inquiry into the nature and characteristics of literary materials to which adolescents respond; and criteria for selection, and critical evaluation. The course also examines the pedagogy behind teaching literature in middle school and high school. For students who intend to be teachers, this course will examine how to teaching reading, analysis, and writing in grades 7-12. For students who are taking the course to study literature, they will be asked to apply literary theory to the young adult texts of their choice.
Prerequisite: ENG 201 or 243 or consent of instructor. (Offered spring semester of even calendar years.)
A survey of the development of the English novel from eighteenth century to the present.
Prerequisite: ENGL 201 or ENGL 243. (Offered fall semester of even calendar years.)
A study of the tragedies, histories, comedies, romances, and poetry of William Shakespeare. Students will do a close reading of the texts, analyzing them in light of classical and medieval dramatic influences, English history and Renaissance English society, and Shakespeare's own art and genius.
Prerequisite: ENGL 201 or ENGL 243. (Offered spring semester.) Cross-Listed as COMM 358.
This variable topics course will examine a specific area of creative writing each time it is taught. Students will study published examples of the genre under consideration, workshop their own writing, critique their peers, and revise their writing. This course may be repeated one time for a total of six credits.
Prerequisite: ENGL 160. (Offered fall semester of even calendar years.)
Explores the techniques of editing for creative writers and editors of books, magazines, and journals. Students will learn to read, critique, pitch, and edit published and prospective manuscripts. This course will prepare students to revise their own work and edit the work of others in an editorial capacity. Prerequisite: ENGL 160. (Offered spring semester of odd calendar years.)
The course prepares ESL instructors to understand the assessment and evaluation process and to plan and implement formal and informal assessment in the ESL classroom.
Prerequisites: ENGL 317, and ENGL 318. (Offered fall semester of even calendar years.)
A survey of the American novel from 1800 to the present. Meets the general education upper division writing intensive requirement. (Offered spring semester of even calendar years.)
In this alternating genre course, students will study advanced elements of craft in lyrical, poetry and song lyrics, (spring of odd calendar years) narrative, fiction and non-fiction, (spring of even calendar years), and other genre (offered occasionally in Interterm) writing. This study will be conducted through reading established writers, writing, critiquing, and revising student work. Meets the general education upper division writing intensive requirement.
Prerequisite: ENGL 160 or ENGL 264. (Offered spring semester.)
Provides students with experience in news writing, sports writing, feature writing, photojournalism, graphic design, desktop publishing, editing, advertising sales, theme implementation, budget management and other experiences related through the production of a campus newspaper. May be repeated up to a total of six hours credit. Cross listed with COMM 231.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered every semester.)
Provides students with experience in news writing, sports writing, feature writing, photojournalism, graphic design, desktop publishing, editing, advertising sales, theme implementation, budget management and other experiences related through the production of a campus magazine. May be repeated up to a total of six hours credit. Cross listed with COMM 235.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered every semester.)
This course offers students the opportunity for practical publishing experience through the production the Greenville University Scribblerus. This laboratory experience will come in a variety of forms:
* collecting literary and visual art for publication
* serving as an editor or assistant editor through the selection and literary editing of submissions
* copyediting
* page-layout and document design
* marketing a literary magazine
May be repeated up to a total of six hours credit. (Offered every semester.)
Cross-Listed as ENGL338
Provides students with experience in news writing, sports writing, feature writing, photojournalism, graphic design, desktop publishing, editing, advertising sales, theme implementation, budget management and other experiences related through the production of a campus newspaper. May be repeated up to a total of six hours credit. Cross listed with COMM 331.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered every semester.)
Provides students with experience in news writing, sports writing, feature writing, photojournalism, graphic design, desktop publishing, editing, advertising sales, theme implementation, budget management and other experiences related through the production of a campus magazine. May be repeated up to a total of six hours credit. Cross listed with COMM 335.
Prerequisite: ENGL 105. (Offered every semester.)
This course offers students the opportunity for practical publishing experience through the production the Greenville University Scribblerus. This laboratory experience will come in a variety of forms:
* collecting literary and visual art for publication
* serving as an editor or assistant editor through the selection and literary editing of submissions
* copyediting
* page-layout and document design
* marketing a literary magazine
May be repeated up to a total of six hours credit. (Offered every semester.) Cross-Listed as ENGL 238.
Pre-professional work experience in areas such as journalism, publishing, librarianship, law, and TESL. Student enrolled in the course should report directly to a professional supervisor, and the majority of their work should place an emphasis on skills related to their vocational goals. Practicum students who are completing the "writing track" should seek experiences that will emphasize writing, editing, researching, or designing publications, and they should pay particular attention to developing their writing portfolio during this experience. The practicum will be taken for pass/fail credit unless the student formally requests a letter grade before attempting the practicum. (Only a total of eight credit hours from a practicum may be applied toward the required hours for the English major).
