The study of the Language Arts has always been central to a Liberal Arts Curriculum. The Division of Literature, Languages, and Philosophy offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in English with concentrations in Literature, Creative Writing, or certification in teaching English; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication/Journalism; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and minor programs in Creative Writing, English, Foreign Languages, Journalism, and Philosophy.
The English major provides students with a flexible curriculum, designed to provide the training and marketable skills sought by law schools, public relations firms, advertising agencies, and graduate school programs. To that end, the English major develops the writing and textual analysis skills which are crucial to an increasingly information-laden, text-oriented world in which the average employee will change careers at least five times before retirement. Majors complete both a set of core requirements and courses in a concentration of their choice: Literature, Creative Writing, or English with Teaching Certification.
The Division also offers minor programs in English, French, Spanish, Philosophy, Creative Writing, and Journalism. These minor programs are designed to complement the major programs offered by Kentucky State University and to provide students with additional flexibility and breadth of academic training. These minors are particularly useful for those students who wish to be flexible in future career paths, who plan careers in fields requiring diverse skills, and who will be pursuing global careers.
Every course offered by the Division emphasizes writing, and students are encouraged to take an active part in classroom discussion. Coursework in foreign languages emphasizes written and spoken communication skills, and faculty make an effort to acquaint students with the complex relationships that exist between literary traditions and the historical and cultural contexts out of which these traditions arise. Coursework in philosophy addresses fundamental questions about the nature and possibility of knowledge, problems of ethics, logical issues, questions about the nature of reality, and issues that arise in the making and criticism of works of art.
For all classes offered by the Division of Literature, Languages and Philosophy, the Divisional Attendance Policy will be enforced. This policy states that missing more than twenty percent (20%) of the course's total class meetings for any reason is in itself sufficient cause for a student to receive a failing grade in the course. Instructors may adopt other attendance policies at their own discretion as long as these policies are included in the class syllabus and are within the parameters of the University's attendance policy. Instructors will adopt their own policies for lateness and early departure from class and list these policies in the class syllabus.
more than twenty percent (20%) of the course’s total class meetings for any reason is in itself sufficient cause for a student to receive a failing grade in the course. Instructors may adopt other attendance policies at their own discretion as long as these policies are included in the class syllabus and are within the parameters of the University’s attendance policy. Instructors will adopt their own policies for lateness and early departure from class and list these policies in the class syllabus.
Admission to the Program requires formal application and acceptance into the program. After a prospective English Major’s successful completion of English 215 or 211, the applicant (or applicant’s advisor) must submit a completed file to the English Major Committee for consideration for admission to the English Major Program.
To apply to be an English Major, you must supply the following materials:
Materials should be submitted in a manila envelope, labeled with the applicant’s complete name, a current phone number, and the applicant’s KSU e-mail address. An applicant may expect written notification of his/her departmental status during the semester of application.
To receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in English or a minor in English, students must be able to:
express themselves effectively in written English;
think critically and analytically;
demonstrate knowledge of literature representing a variety of literary forms, figures, and periods;
demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of literary analysis and criticism;
demonstrate general knowledge of the history of the English language and linguistic theories, and standard English grammar; and
demonstrate knowledge of research techniques and use of the library.
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