English, BA

Location(s): Main Campus

The Department of English, General Literature, and Rhetoric provides students the opportunity to study literature and language in their many manifestations. In addition to the 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 and hone their critical reading and research skills. Majors in English choose one of the following concentrations:

The General Major in English allows students to design their major around their own interests (literature of past or present, language, folklore, American culture or cultural studies, or writing).

The Concentration in Global Culture focuses on literature and film in a global setting, providing an opportunity to learn cross-cultural communication while thinking about timely questions of race, gender, sexuality, and class from transnational and historical perspectives.

The Concentration in Rhetoric familiarizes students with diverse rhetorical works and traditions, focusing both on how persuasive speech and writing have been theorized and taught in different times and places. Students also assess how such factors as identity, power and viewpoint or prejudice shape the nature, scope and impact of language in different settings. Students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core.

The Concentration in Creative Writing offers students interested in writing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction the chance to be part of a community of writers while working with our internationally recognized faculty. Students develop the critical thinking and communication skills crucial in any career field, but also understand how their own voice fits within the vital continuum of literature. Students may combine this concentration with the global culture core or the traditional literary history core.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Major Requirements

English Major Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the English major. Students are required to take at least six courses (24 credits) at the 300-level or above:

Core English Requirements:
- One course in British Literature to 1660
- One course in British Literature after 1660
- One course in American Literature
- One course on Shakespeare
- One theory-oriented course
Major Elective Requirements:
- One 200-level or higher course in literature, rhetoric, or creative writing
- One 200-level or higher course in British or American Literature
- One 200-level or higher course in Global Literature and Culture
- One 300-level or higher course in English, Creative Writing, Rhetoric, or Honors Thesis
- One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Senior Seminar*

*All students are required to complete a basic communications course at the 400-level to fulfill this requirement in order to be in compliance with the SUNY Transfer Path in English.

English Major with Concentration in Global Culture Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the English major. Students are required to take at least six courses (24 credits) at the 300-level or above:

Choose one course from two of the categories:
- One course in British literature to 1660
- One course in British literature after 1660
- One course in American literature
One course in literary theory and criticism
One course in globalization and literary culture
One course in contesting national narratives
One course in global literature, media, and culture
One 200-level or higher course in literature, rhetoric, or creative writing
Two 300-level or higher courses in English, Creative Writing, Rhetoric, or Honors Thesis
One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Seminar

English Major with Concentration in Creative Writing Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the English major. Students are required to take at least six courses (24 credits) at the 300 level or above:

Core English Requirements:
- One course in British literature to 1660
- One course in British literature after 1660
- One course in American literature
- One course in Shakespeare
- One theory-oriented course
Concentration Requirements
- CW 250 Fundamentals of Creative Writing
- CW 350 Intermediate Creative Writing
- CW 450 Advanced Creative Writing
- One additional advanced Creative Writing, English, Rhetoric course, or Honors Thesis
- One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Seminar

CW 250 is open to any student with an interest in creative writing. The intermediate (CW 350) and advanced (CW 450) workshops are open only to English majors with a concentration in creative writing. CW 350 is open only to any CW major who has taken CW 250. CW 450 is open only to any CW major who has taken CW 250 and CW 350.

Workshops vary in focus each semester and may be repeated, but students may take no more than one workshop per semester.

English Major with Concentration in Creative Writing & Global Culture Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the English major. Students are required to take at least six courses (24 credits) at the 300-level or above:

Choose one course from two of the following categories:
- One course in British literature to 1660
- One course in British literature after 1660
- One course in American literature
One course in literary theory and criticism
One course in globalization and literary culture
One course in contesting national narratives
One course in global literature, media, and culture
CW 250 Fundamentals Creative Writing
CW 350 Intermediate Creative Writing
CW 450 Advanced Creative Writing
One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Seminar

English Major with Concentration in Rhetoric Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the English major. Students are required to take at least six courses (24 credits) at the 300-level or above:

Core English Requirements:
- One course in British Literature to 1660
- One course in British Literature after 1660
- One course in American Literature
- One course on Shakespeare
- One theory-oriented course
Concentration Requirements:
- One rhetorical foundation’s course
- One rhetorical skills course
- One advanced rhetorical theory course
- One advanced rhetoric or English course
- One 400-level Senior Seminar or Honors Thesis

RHET 240 Introduction to Journalism, is open to all English majors with an interest in journalism. RHET 440s advanced courses in journalism are especially recommended for students who wish to acquire expertise in this field.

English Major with Concentration in Rhetoric & Global Culture Course Requirements

Students must fulfill the following requirements for the English major. Students are required to take at least six courses (24 credits) at the 300-level or above:

Choose one course from two of the categories:
- One course in British literature to 1660
- One course in British literature after 1660
- One course in American literature
One course in literary theory and criticism
One course in globalization and literary culture
One course in contesting national narratives
One course in global literature, media, and culture
One rhetorical foundations course*
One rhetorical skills course
One upper-level Rhetorical Theory course
One 400-level Senior Seminar in Rhetorical Theory*

*Students interested in the honors program may substitute these requirements for an Honors Seminar or Honors Thesis

Additional Information About the Program

Students will receive credit toward the major for courses offered by our department and for courses we cross-list (offered by other departments). Students will also receive credit toward the major for courses offered through our London program.

NOTE: Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students concerned about such matters are advised to contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.

Courses taken under the Pass/Fail grading option do not count toward the major, except those for which Pass/Fail is the only grading option. Students must receive a grade of C minus or better on courses to fulfill requirements for the major.

Residency Requirements: A minimum of five courses in the major must be taken in residence at Binghamton University.

For more information on the English BA program, please refer to the English, General Literature, and Rhetoric website. To apply to the English BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.