English Minor, Literature Emphasis
The purpose of the English minor with emphasis in literature is to provide Troy University's
students with an academic program in which they can develop their knowledge and appreciation
of English and American literature, build a systematic knowledge of the language and
its history, and augment their skills in writing formal English. Some of the tangible
goals sought in the program include:
- Building a strong foundation in the grammar and syntax of the English and American language;
- Gaining vocabulary adequate to self-expression on a wide array of topics;
- Developing a well-practiced command of research and documentation procedures;
- Acquiring a solid grasp of the periods of British and American literary history and a direct knowledge of the most influential authors and texts that comprise the "canon" of British and American literature;
- Forming an understanding of the genres, themes, and other discrete elements that comprise the study of literature.
Required Courses for the English Minor, Literature Emphasis (18 hours)
ENG 3341 (3) Advanced Grammar
Select one sequence:
ENG 2211 (3) American Literature before 1875
ENG 2212 (3) American Literature after 1875
OR
ENG 2244 (3) British Literature before 1785
ENG 2245 (3) British Literature after 1785
Select an additional nine hours of upper division English courses.
English Minor, Creative Writing Emphasis
The English minor with emphasis in creative writing focuses on the practical skills
of producing creative texts and also of finding publishers for texts. Creative writing
courses at Troy University are taught as workshops by practicing writers. Students
write works of poetry, fictional prose, and non-fictional prose; these are peer-reviewed
and critiqued by the other participants in the workshop. In addition to the workshops,
occasional discussions and meetings with visiting writers are integral in the program,
and students are encouraged to participate in all literary events, both on and off
campus, and to create literary events, such as public readings, on their own.
Instruction in the minor is designed to:
- Help the student explore and develop talent in the writing of the short story, poetry, the novel, or drama;
- Develop an understanding of texts, forms, and theories in creative writing through readings in contemporary literature;
- Involve the student in the practice of writing and the craftsmanship of creating significant literary texts;
- Provide experience in professional writing, offering the student an opportunity to acquire the values of discipline, a give-and-take attitude toward editorial criticism, and a respect for meeting deadlines, which a professional writer must exhibit; students also participate in the day-to-day operation of a literary journal through internships with the department's nationally-distributed Alabama Literary Review (ALR);
- Provide the student with the background in writing and general knowledge that are needed for continued work on the personal, professional, or graduate levels of the creative writing discipline.
Required Courses for the English Minor, Creative Writing Emphasis (18 hours)
ENG 3351 (3) Introduction to Creative Writing
In addition to the course noted above, students must select 15 hours from the following
upper-level creative writing courses:
ENG 3352 (3) Advanced Creative Writing I
ENG 3353 (3) Advanced Creative Writing II
ENG 3354 (3) Advanced Nonfiction Writing
ENG 3355 (3) Verse Writing
ENG 3356 (3) Forms and Theory of Fiction
ENG 4427 (3) Contemporary Literature
ENG 4489 (3) Internship
English Minor, TESOL Emphasis
Students may choose TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) as a minor with their major or choose the TESOL minor within the Interdisciplinary Major. Students should consult with their advisor if they wish to pursue the TESOL certificate and then enroll in ENG 4470 Practicum and Assessments.
Required Courses for the English Minor, TESOL Emphasis (18 hours)
ENG 3320 (3) Introduction to Linguistics
ENG 3341 (3) Advanced Grammar I
ENG 4468 (3) Methods and Approaches in Second Language Teaching
Select additional nine (9) hours
ENG 3380 (3) Sociolinguistics
ENG 3385 (3) Foundations of Second Language Acquisition
ENG 4466 (3) Advanced Grammar II
ENG 4470 (3) Practicum and Assessments