Majors & Minors

BA in English
BA in English with Secondary School Teacher Certification
BFA in Writing
Minor in English
Minor in Writing

BA in Communications
Minor in Communications

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.
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Bachelor of Arts in English with Secondary School Teacher Certification
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 take Teaching Writing and Grammar (ENG 3019), are exempt from thesis or internship requirements, and must complete a sequence of study and field experiences in Education. For details on the Education component of the program, refer to the Secondary Education Program in the Education section of this catalog.
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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.

Goals of the Writing Major

• Students will gain pro?ciency in the use of Standard Written English, learning to express themselves in a clear and cogent manner.
• Students will become familiar with the major literary movements in English and American literature, especially as they relate to poetry and ?ction.
• Students will 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.
• Students will become familiar with the basics of publishing, including cover letters, professionalism of finished product, and marketing strategies.
• Students will become familiar with how the skills gained as a Writing major can be put to use after graduation.

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English Minor
Available to all bachelor degree candidates. Provides a well-rounded sampling of the courses offered in the regular English major.
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Writing Minor
Available to all bachelor degree candidates. Similar to the English Minor, with a heavier focus on writing workshops and les on literature.
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Bachelor of Arts in Communications
A Communications graduate will possess strong writing and media authoring skills. These skills are increasingly valued in relation to a graduate’s initiative and literacy in emerging communication methods. In an era of media convergence, an effective Communications graduate will gather content and deliver refined messages in any form and for all media.
To prepare for such a complex and dynamic career, Communications majors at Green Mountain College study media analysis, information gathering, and media writing and reporting. Further coursework and internships provide experience with publishing technologies, the resolution of legal and ethical issues, and an understanding of the media’s role in governance, community, and commerce.

The study of Communications requires a range of expertise. Each student is encouraged to develop a personal focus within the general communications curriculum, one that integrates with their studies in the Environmental Liberal Arts and other academic disciplines. Students are encouraged to apply their coursework in a range of publishing media as they engage local and global audiences with the issues of our times. To support this engagement, the major offers coursework and publishing opportunities in media leadership, environmental communication and media advocacy.

Communications students complete their coursework with professional experience gained through an off-campus internship or a publishing practicum serving campus publications and community communications projects.

Communications graduates may seek internships and careers with media publications, as information specialists for government, business and non-profit organizations, and in strategic communications and media-based advocacy. A Communications degree may support graduate study in a variety of disciplines.

GOALS FOR COMMUNICATIONS MAJORS
Students completing a Communications major will gain a coherent set of skills, knowledge and dispositions including:

• An understanding of principles, laws, history, values, ethics, and civic role of communications.
• Critical analysis, synthesis, and communication of information for civic and rhetorical purpose.
• An ability to integrate and publish text, images, audio, and video for a variety of audiences and purposes.

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Communications Minor
Available to all bachelor degree candidates. A communications minor is an excellent option for a range of majors, from business, to environmental studies, to English; the minor helps build the skills integral to an understanding of print and multimedia journalism, public relations, marketing, and persuasion.
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