2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Department of English, General Literature and Rhetoric
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 Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
The Department of English, General Literature and Rhetoric provides students the opportunity to study literature and language in their many manifestations. In addition to an English Literature Major, the department offers concentrations in global culture, creative writing and rhetoric. Literature courses provide undergraduates with a foundation in literary history as well as an opportunity to explore a variety of genres, while fostering critical reading and research skills; courses in globalization and culture explore cultural and literary responses to the emergence of global culture and the questions raised by this process; creative writing courses hone students’ writing abilities and develop their unique voices; rhetoric courses deal with both the theory and practice of communication, as well as the history of oral and written argument.
Majors in English choose one of the concentrations listed below, which require either five core courses in literary history and theory or six core courses in theories and practices of global literary and cultural production. All versions of the major require 10 courses total. The basic major in English, with its five electives, allows students to design their majors around their own interests (literature of past or present, language, folklore, American culture or cultural studies or writing). The major in English with a concentration in global culture includes four electives, as well as courses that explore the Anglo-American imperial tradition and the cultural productions of marginalized peoples. The major in English with a concentration in rhetoric provides a structured set of courses related to rhetorical theory and practice; students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core. The major in English with a concentration in creative writing provides a sequence of courses in the arts of poetry and fiction; students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core.
The graduate program offers the Master of Arts (MA) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in English. For each degree program, candidates specify a literature or creative writing focus at the time of application. The MA stresses breadth; the PhD program encourages students to pursue more specialized interests. MA candidates develop a broad knowledge of English literature and language, American literature and literary theory, other Anglophone literatures and criticism. Such breadth of knowledge is a prerequisite for PhD candidates, who concentrate on specific fields of scholarly interest before writing a dissertation.
Semester-in-London Program
In the spring semester, the department offers an academic program in London integrating courses in literature, theater, history and art with tours, trips and theater attendance. Courses fulfill requirements for the English major, though program participation is not limited to English majors. Internships in which students gain career experience working in a British enterprise are also available. Detailed information for the London program may be obtained in the department office. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.
Honors Program
The honors program in English consists of two courses taken in the student’s senior year: ENG 498 Honors Seminar; and ENG (RHET) 499 Honors Thesis (CW 499 Honors Portfolio). The designation of honors in English is awarded to students who receive at least a B+ grade in the Honors Seminar and at least an A- in the Honors Thesis or Portfolio.
Admission to the honors program is by invitation, limited to about 20 students per year, with preference given to students who have completed substantial coursework at Binghamton with the highest grade point average. The program director may solicit a sample of the student’s written work in an English course and other information.
Programs
Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
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