Main Page Content
Department of English
211 Hartwell
(585) 395-2503
Chairperson and Professor: Janie Hinds; Professor: Robert J. Gemmett; Dean of International Programs and Associate Professor: John J. Perry; Associate Professors: Miriam E. Burstein, T. Gregory Garvey, J. Roger Kurtz, Anne Panning; Assistant Professors: Sharon Allen, Ralph W. Black, Stephen Fellner, Jennifer Haytock, Stephan Jurasinski, Megan Norcia, Joseph Ortiz; Lecturers: Jeanne Grinnan, Louis Hillman, Teresa Lehr, Sidney Rosenzweig.
The Department of English offers a wide range of courses in American, British, and world literatures, composition and creative writing— including workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The English major is tailored for students who wish to pursue a passion for reading and writing, and for those who seek a general education in literary studies as they plan for careers in education, law, business administration, public relations, advertising, or government—indeed, any field where effective use of the English language and critical thinking skills are seen as essential to a broad humanistic perspective. Our majors choose between a literature or creative concentration (outlined below), where their course work is designed to develop both analytical and creative skills. As an alternative, the English minor gives students an opportunity to select courses appropriate to their individual needs and interests. Students majoring or minoring in English must complete at least 50 percent of their course work (18 credits for the major, nine credits for the minor) at SUNY Brockport.
Major Specialties in English
Students who major in English must select a 36-credit major from one of two options:
literature or creative writing.
Option 1: Literature
The English Major-Literature focuses on English, American, and world literatures and affords students extensive practice in critical analysis and writing. The Literature track provides strong preparation for elementary and secondary teachers, for professional careers in business and law, and for the further study of literature in graduate school.
General Guidelines: Literature courses include the genres of poetry, fiction, film, drama, and the essay. Most majors take about 40–45 credits in English. In selecting their required courses, electives, or other courses beyond the 36-credit minimum, students are encouraged to construct personal concentrations in such areas as: American, British, or world literature; film studies; women writers; modern literature, etc., or to explore the diversity of English studies. Individual courses fulfill only one requirement in the major, and only liberal arts courses (designated by an A) can be used to satisfy the 36-credit minimum requirement.
| Number | Minimum Course Requirements: | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENL 303 | Introduction to Literary Analysis (minimum grade of "C") | 3 |
| British Literature | ||
| One course in British Literature before 1800 | 3 | |
| (Examples: ENL 202 British Literature I, ENL 322 British Novel I ENL 411 Chaucer, ENL 416 British Renaissance, ENL 417 The Age of Dryden, Pope and Johnson) | ||
| One course in British Literature after 1800 | 3 | |
| (Examples: ENL 203 British Literature II, ENL 419 English Romantic Writers, ENL 420 The Victorians and Others, ENL 424 Modern British Literature, ENL 425 Contemporary British Writers, ENL 426 Irish Writers) | ||
| American Literature | ||
| One course in American Literature before 1900 | 3 | |
| (Examples: ENL 204 American Literature I, ENL 429 Roots of American Literature, ENL 431 American Literature: The Transcendental Movement) | ||
| One course in American Literature after 1900 | 3 | |
| (Examples: ENL 205 American Literature II, ENL 435 Modern American Poetry, ENL 443 Contemporary American Poetry, ENL 434 American Literature of the Cold War Era) | ||
| World Literatures and Cultures | ||
| Two World Literature courses only one of which may be at the 100 level | 6 | |
| (Examples: ENL 165 International Fiction, ENL 353 The Bible and Modernism, ENL 367 African Novel, ENL 457 Women and Film, ENL 475 Post-Colonial Literature) | ||
| OR | ||
| One World Literature Course and one British or American Literature course which has a significant emphasis on cultural differences (Examples: ENL 235 Introduction to Afro-American Literature, ENL 237 Native-American Literature, ENL 327 Loss of Innocence) | ||
| ENL 315 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| (ENL 450, ENL 451, ENL 455, or ENL 481) | Linguistics and Language | 3 |
| Two elective courses in English at the 300-400 level | 6 | |
| ENL 472 | Critical Approaches to Literature (prerequisites: ENL 303 and 9 credits of 300-400 level study in English) | 3 |
| Total: | 36 | |
Teacher Certification Students: Students preparing for teaching in elementary schools are strongly advised to take ENL 305 Advanced Composition and ENL 482 Children’s Literature. Students preparing for teaching in secondary schools must take ENL 305 Advanced Composition and ENL 484 Young Adult Literature as electives.
Preparation for Business, Law and Public Service: Literature courses which emphasize psychological, social, and verbal analysis provide a solid basis for the type of critical thinking needed in professional positions, while courses in writing, business communications, journalism/publication, etc. provide a solid basis in communication skills central to these areas.
Option 2: Creative Writing
The English Major-Creative Writing allows students to follow a program of study in English which will enable them to explore their talents and develop their skills in a series of writing courses and related literature courses.
General Guidelines: Literature courses include the genres of poetry, fiction, film, drama, and the essay. Most majors take about 40–45 credits in English. In selecting their required courses, electives, or other courses beyond the 36-credit minimum, students are encouraged to construct personal concentrations in such areas as American, British, or world literature; film studies; women writers; modern literature, etc., as well as taking additional courses in writing or literature. Individual courses fulfill only one requirement in the major, and only liberal arts courses (designated by an A) can be used to satisfy the 36-credit minimum requirement.
| Number | Minimum Course Requirements: | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENL 303 | Introduction to Literary Analysis (minimum grade of "C") | 3 |
| ENL 210 | Creative Writing (the prerequisite for ENL 301 and 302) | 3 |
| Literature Requirements (one course must be in literature before 1900) | ||
| One course in British Literature | 3 | |
| One course in American Literature | 3 | |
| One course in World Literature | 3 | |
| Workshop Requirements | ||
| ENL 301 | Fiction Writers Workshop | 3 |
| ENL 302 | Poetry Writers Workshop | 3 |
| ENL 403 | Writers Craft (may be repeated once) | 3 |
| One Advanced Writers Workshop (ENL 301 or 302 are prerequisites for the related Advanced Workshops; these 400 level Workshops may be repeated once) | 3 | |
| ENL 491 | Advanced Fiction Writers Workshop | |
| ENL 492 | Advanced Poetry Writers Seminar | |
| ENL 493 | The Creative Essay | |
| Two elective courses in English at the 300-400 level | 6 | |
| ENL 472 | Critical Approaches to Literature | |
| (prerequisites: ENL 303 and 9 credits of 300-400 level study in English) | 3 | |
| Total: | 36 | |
Teacher Certification Students (elementary schools): Students preparing for teaching in elementary schools are strongly advised to take ENL 305 Advanced Composition and ENL 482 Children’s Literature.
Preparation for Business, Law and Public Service: Literature courses which emphasize psychological, social, and verbal analysis provide a solid basis for the type of critical thinking needed in professional positions, while courses in writing, business communications, journalism/publication, etc. provide a solid basis in communications skills central to these areas.
Minor in English
The minor in English allows students majoring in other disciplines to construct a program of study in English that will be appropriate to their individual interests and prospective careers.
English Minor Requirements
The minor requires 18 credits, including ENL 303 Introduction to Literary Analysis
with a grade of “C” or better. Of the additional five elective courses (15 credits),
at least two must be at the 300 level or above, and only one may be at the 100 level.
Students may wish to construct their individualized English minor around concentrations in such areas as American literature, British literature, film studies, women writers, cultural studies in literature, writing, and modern literature. It is also acceptable to simply choose five electives of interest.
Student Life
The Writers Forum provides exposure to significant contemporary writers and critics.
The English Club offers a variety of activities, including the publication of student
writing. Sigma Tau Delta, an international honor society, recognizes significant academic
accomplishment. Awards are available for student scholarship, and outstanding literary-critical,
fiction, poetry, and non-fiction writing.
Study Abroad
Study-abroad programs sometimes are available. Information is available in the
Office of International Education.
General Education Requirements
The following courses may be taken to meet the lower-division Humanities (H) requirement:
- ENL 165 International Fiction
- ENL 166 Literature and Culture
- ENL 202 British Literature I
- ENL 203 British Literature II
- ENL 204 American Literature I
- ENL 205 American Literature II
- ENL 235 Introduction to African-American Literature
- ENL 237 Native-American Literature
- ENL 244 Women and Courtly Love
The following courses may be taken to meet the lower-division Comparative Perspectives (C) requirement:
- ENL 237 Native-American Literature
- ENL 353 The Bible and Modernism
- ENL 366 Arabic Culture and the West
The following courses may be taken to meet the Diversity (D) requirement:
- ENL 165 International Fiction
- ENL 166 Literature and Culture
- ENL 204 American Literature I
- ENL 205 American Literature II
- ENL 339 Writings by African-American Women
- ENL 366 Arabic Culture and the West
- ENL 367 African Novel
- ENL 378 Women in American Literature
- ENL 418 Significant Themes in British Literature
- ENL 470 Women’s Popular Culture
- ENL 474 Caribbean Literature
- ENL 475 Post-Colonial Literature
- ENL 476 Magical Realism
The following courses may be taken to meet the Western Civilization (G) requirement:
- ENL 163 Literature, Arts, and Western Culture I
- ENL 164 Literature, Arts, and Western Culture II
The following courses may be taken to meet the Contemporary Issues (I) requirement:
- ENL 353 The Bible and Modernism
- ENL 357 Postmodern Culture
- ENL 366 Arabic Culture and the West
- ENL 367 The African Novel
- ENL 378 American Women Writers
- ENL 439 Asian-American Literature
- ENL 457 Women and Film
- ENL 470 Women’s Popular Culture
- ENL 475 Postcolonial Literature
- ENL 477 Issues in Science Fiction
- ENL 495 Literature of the Holocaust
- ENL 496 Sex and Censorship in Literature and the Media
The following courses may be taken to meet the Perspectives on Women (W) requirement:
- ENL 205 American Literature II
- ENL 244 Women and Courtly Love
- ENL 339 Writings by African-American Women
- ENL 378 Women Writers in American Literature
- ENL 427 Women in the Novel
- ENL 439 Asian-American Literature
- ENL 441 American Literature: 19th-Century Women’s Novel
- ENL 442 Topics in Women’s Literature
- ENL 457 Women and Film
- ENL 470 Women’s Popular Culture
- ENL 495 Literature of the Holocaust
- ENL 496 Sex and Censorship in Literature and the Media
Notes: ENL 112 or equivalent is a prerequisite for any ENL course above 200. Subtitles and contents of topics, seminar, genre, mode, theme, and workshop courses vary by semester. Consult the department for information concerning offerings in any given semester. Each semester the department provides a booklet containing instructors’ descriptions of courses they offer. The booklet may be obtained in the department office.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]