Program Director: Laird Christensen, Ph.D.
Division of Humanities, Education, & Arts
Programs offered:
BA in English
BA in English with Secondary School Teacher Certification
BFA in Writing
Minor in English
Minor in Writing
The English Program offers two degrees devoted to the theory and practice of written communication: the Bachelor of Arts in English, and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing. Courses in British, American, and World literatures, and in literary, journalistic, and workplace-related writing offer students in any major a greater fluency in expression and an appreciation of our literary heritage. Graduates in the program’s majors go on to graduate study, professional schools, specialized training programs, and a variety of occupations where verbal excellence, strong interpersonal skills, and disciplined thinking are essential.
Learning Outcomes for English Majors
The successful student will:
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of Standard Written English, learning to express themselves in a clear and cogent manner through exams and essays that meet criteria outlined in Writing program rubrics.
Demonstrate proficiency with English-language literature and its patterns of development through exams and essays that meet criteria outlined in English program rubrics.
Demonstrate sophisticated reading skills that make possible the critical analysis and interpretation of written texts via examinations and essays.
Demonstrate research skills that enable them to access relevant scholarly materials, as well as the historical contexts within which literary works are embedded, via the writing of substantial research essays in literary analysis.
Demonstrate how the skills gained as an English major can be put to use after graduation via an informal exit interview to assess the major’s post-Green Mountain College plans.
Bachelor of Arts in English
The English program at Green Mountain College offers students the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of authors who represent literary traditions from Great Britain, North America, and around the world. While most students major in English because of their fondness for a good story and their love of language that is potent and memorable, the study of literature also provides dramatic lessons in history, philosophy, psychology, and cultural studies. From survey courses to seminars in single authors and literary movements, our English program strikes a balance between breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding. The training students receive in critical reading and analytical writing is ideal preparation for graduate studies in a variety of liberal arts majors. Those students who understand the importance of literature in revealing how cultures and individuals make sense of the world will find this field of study practical, no matter what their plans for the future may be.
Requirements for BA in English
English Core:
| ENG 1010: Introduction to Literary Studies ENG 2011: British Literature to 1800 ENG 2012: British Literature from 1800 to the Present ENG 2015: Introduction to Creative Writing ENG 2020: History of the English Language ENG 2021: American Literature to 1860 ENG 2022: American Literature from 1860 to the Present Choose one of the following workshops: ENG 3011: Environmental Writing Workshop ENG 3017: Writing Workshop CMJ 3013: Communications Workshop Choose one of the following diversity courses: ENG 3007: World Literature ENG 4015: Literature of Diversity Choose one of the following senior capstone experiences: ENG 4000: Senior Thesis ENG 4001: Internship |
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 Credits: 31 |
| ENG 4016: Seminar in Literary Genres ENG 4017: Seminar in Literary Figures and Movements ENG 4018: Seminar in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature |
Credits: 9 |
Bachelor of Arts in English with Secondary School Teacher Licensure
This degree prepares students to be licensed to teach English in grades 7-12. In addition to completing the B.A. in English, students must complete a sequence of study and field experiences in Education. During senior year students complete fifteen weeks of full-time student teaching at the 7-12 level. All student teaching must be done in the immediate area of the College.
Requirements for B.A. in English with Secondary School Teacher Licensure
English Core:
| ENG 1010: Introduction to Literary Studies ENG 2011: British Literature to 1800 ENG 2012: British Literature from 1800 to the Present ENG 2015: Introduction to Creative Writing ENG 2020: History of the English Language ENG 2021: American Literature to 1860 ENG 2022: American Literature from 1860 to the present ENG 3019: Teaching Writing and Grammar Choose one of the following workshops: ENG 3011: Writing About the Environment ENG 3017: Writing Workshop CMJ 3013: Communications Workshop Choose one of the following diversity courses: ENG 3007: World Literature ENG 4015: The Literature of Diversity |
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Credits: 30 |
| ENG 4016: Seminar in Literary Genres ENG 4017: Seminar in Literary Figures and Movements ENG 4018: Seminar in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature |
Credits: 6 |
| EDU 1062: Teacher As Decision-Maker EDU 1200: Praxis (unless exempt) EDU 2018: Developmental Psychology II EDU 2019: The Exceptional Child EDU 2000: Field Experience EDU 3100: Observation Practicum EDU 2031: Secondary Education Methods I EDU/PSY 4031: Assessment and Management of Behavior EDU 4081*: Secondary Education Methods, History and English EDU 4085: Student Teaching Choose one of the following two courses: 3 PHI 3013: Philosophy of Education OR EDU 3015: History of Education |
3 0 3 3 1 4 3 3 4 12 3 Credits: 39 |
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing
The Writing program at Green Mountain College encourages students to hone their skills in creative writing workshops on their way to earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Writing. Our faculty consists of widely published authors, with novels, poems, plays, and creative essays to their credit. Each semester they direct workshops in their field of expertise, helping students produce polished portfolios of their writing. Along the way, students also learn how to identify potential markets for their work, and how to submit their work in a professional manner.
As a capstone project, all Writing majors complete a Senior Writing Project, which is a full-length, original work in any genre. Projects may include a collection of poetry or short stories, a novella, a play, a work of creative nonfiction, or any other original work a student may wish to propose. Each student works closely with a faculty mentor in developing a manuscript of original work. As a part of this experience, students also present a public reading or performance of their work. The greater part of student work focuses on writing and presentation, with an underpinning in literary backgrounds. This program serves students with educational goals such as creative writing, copywriting, journalism, corporate writing, and graduate school. The program serves as well for those interested mainly in self-development without specific career goals. Students are encouraged to consider a minor in a complementary field.
Learning Outcomes for Writing Majors
The successful student will:
Gain proficiency in the use of Standard Written English, learning to express themselves in a clear and cogent manner.
Become familiar with the major literary movements in English and American literature, especially as they relate to poetry and fiction.
Cultivate the ability to create a sustained piece of creative writing in at least one genre, and the skills necessary to share their own writing publicly.
Become familiar with the basics of publishing, including cover letters, professionalism of finished product, and marketing strategies.
Become familiar with how the skills gained as a Writing major can be put to use after graduation.
Requirements for BFA in Writing
Literary Backgrounds Component:
| ENG 1010: Introduction to Literary Studies Choose three of the following survey courses: ENG 2011: British Literature before 1800 ENG 2012: British Literature from 1800 to the Present ENG 2021: American Literature to 1860 ENG 2022: American Literature from 1860 to the Present Choose one of the following three seminars: ENG 4016: Seminar in Literary Genres ENG 4017: Seminar in Literary Figures and Movements ENG 4018: Seminar in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature Writing Component: ENG 2015: Introduction to Creative Writing ENG 3011: Environmental Writing Workshop ENG 3017: Writing Workshop ENG 4009: Senior Writing Project (includes public reading) Choose three of the following writing courses: ENG 3011: Environmental Writing Workshop ENG 3017: Writing Workshop CMJ 3013: Communications Workshop |
3 9 3 Credits: 15 3 3 3 4 9 Credits: 22 |
English Minor
Available to all bachelor degree candidates.
English Core:
| Choose three of the following surveys: ENG 2011: British Literature to 1800 ENG 2012: British Literature from 1800 to the Present ENG 2021: American Literature to 1860 ENG 2022: American Literature from 1860 to the Present Choose two of the following courses: ENG 3007: World Literature ENG 4015: Literature of Diversity ENG 4016: Seminar in Literary Genres ENG 4017: Seminar in Literary Figures and Movements ENG 4018: Seminar in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature Choose one of the following writing electives: ENG 3011: Environmental Writing Workshop ENG 3017: Writing Workshop CMJ 3013: Communications Workshop |
9 6 3 |
Writing Minor
Available to all bachelor degrees candidates.
| Choose one of the following surveys: ENG 2011: British literature to 1800 ENG 2012: British literature from 1800 to the Present ENG 2021: American literature to 1860 ENG 2021: American literature from 1860 to the Present Choose one of the following upper-division literature courses: ENG 3007: World Literature ENG 4015: Literature of Diversity ENG 4016: Seminar in Literary Genres ENG 4017: Seminar in Literary Figures and Movements ENG 4018: Seminar in Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature Choose four workshops from at least two of the following categories: ENG 3011: Environmental Writing Workshop ENG 3017: Writing Workshop CMJ 3013: Communications Workshop |
3 3 12 |