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English Major

Earn a bachelor's degree in English

As an English major at SBU, you will learn how to write effectively, understand the nature of language, appreciate literary traditions, think critically about literature and language, and organize your thoughts — all within the context of a Christian atmosphere.

Small class sizes foster a close-knit community in which lifelong relationships are formed and you receive individualized instruction and one-on-one advisement, setting you up for success in a variety of career paths after earning your Bachelor of Arts in English.

An English degree from SBU will prepare you for a variety of career paths. Our graduates are employed in a wide variety of jobs both in the U.S. and abroad!

The English degree is offered through SBU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Resources

Major Map (PDF)

Degree Plan

The SBU Advantage

Optimize your ability to communicate effectively through a variety of opportunities.
Develop your skills through participation in annual writing contests; selected entries are published in SBU's literary journal.
Meet regionally and nationally recognized literary artists who visit campus through the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series.
Discuss topics within language and literature from the perspective of Christian beliefs and values.

Faith Integration

Faculty in the department of language and literature intentionally integrate the Christian faith into classroom instruction by showing how Scriptural truths are foundational to educational practices and theoretical understandings. Classroom discussions of literature occur within the context of a Christian worldview. You will be challenged to consider how your faith affects your literary analysis and your writing.

Careers

SBU English graduates are equipped for a variety of career opportunities including:

Author
Editor
Freelance Writer
Librarian
Media Writer

Graduate Schools

Many SBU English graduates have pursued further education at institutions such as:

Baylor University
Missouri State University
Spalding University
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of Missouri

University Writing Center

Put your learning into action by working as a tutor in the University Writing Center and working with other students one-on-one to provide individualized help and feedback on writing assignments and projects.

Writing Contests

Be recognized for your writing abilities by participating in annual writing contests. Selected entries are published in the department's literary journal.

Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series

Meet regionally and nationally recognized literary artists who visit campus to read from their original works as part of the Barnett-Padgett Literary Artist Series. Authors also lead seminars for students particularly interested in the creative process. Past guest authors include Robin Jones Gunn, Marilyn Nelson, Ted Kooser and Naomi Shihab Nye.

Author Unknown

Join Author Unknown, SBU's campus poetry society open to any SBU student. Weekly meetings provide opportunities for you to express creativity by reading and critiquing original poems while spending time with students and faculty who share a passion for poetry.

Celebrations of Creative Works

Share your creative writing and join SBU’s writing community by attending readings. Each semester, students and faculty celebrate their own original creative works by participating in a reading of poetry, fiction, song, and other genres.

Full-Time Faculty

Dr. Autumn Finley, Associate Professor

Dr. Carla Kirchner, Associate Professor

Sigma Tau Delta

The SBU chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, is open to English and writing majors who maintain a 3.0 GPA and rank in the top third of their class.

Scholarships

As a student in SBU's division of language and communication, you will have the opportunity to apply for several privately funded scholarship awards available to English and writing students.

SCOP Journal

SBU students have the opportunity to submit their original works and be published in SCOP, the literary journal of SBU's Division of Language and Communication. Students also receive valuable experience with editing and publishing the journal.

Download SCOP 2021

Download SCOP 2019

Download SCOP 2018

English Four-Year Plan

Freshman

Fall Semester

UNI 1111	University Seminar	1
ENG 1113	English Composition I	3
COM 1103	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
BIO 1004	Principles of Biology	4
BIB 1013	Old Testament History	3
POL 1113	American Government and Politics	3
Total hours		16

Spring Semester

UNI 1121	Critical Thinking	1
ENG 2213	English Composition II	3
CIS 1103	Computer and Information Management	3
FAR 10_3	Intro. to Art, Fine Arts, Music or Theatre	3
BIB 1023	New Testament History	3
MAT 1243	Algebraic Reasoning and Modeling	3
Total hours		16

Sophomore

Fall Semester

	Foreign Language	4
SPF 2012	Introduction to Spiritual Formation	2
ENG 3313	American Literature I* or
ENG 3323	American Literature II* or
ENG 4033	Focused Readings in American Literature*	3
HIS 2213/2223	U.S. History I or II	3
PSY 1013	General Psychology (or alternative)	3
KIN 1162	Foundations of Physical Fitness/Wellness	2
Total hours		17

Spring Semester

	Foreign Language	4
ENG 2313	World Literature	3
PHS 1004	Physical Science (or alternative)	4
ECO 2003	LIFE Economics	3
ENG 3313	American Literature I* or
ENG 3323	American Literature II* or
ENG 4033	Focused Readings in American Literature*	3
Total hours		17

Junior

Fall Semester

ENG 3333	Romantic Period* or
ENG 3343	Victorian Period* or
ENG 4023	Contemporary British Literature	3
ENG 3363	History of the English Language or
ENG 3373	Structure of the English Language	3
	English Elective	3
	Elective	5
	Cultural Study	2
Total hours		16

Spring Semester

ENG 3353	Advanced Composition	3
ENG 4413	Shakespeare* or
ENG 3233	Medieval/Renaissance Literature* or
ENG 3243	17th/18th Century English Literature	3
	English Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	4
Total hours		16

Senior

Fall Semester

	British Literature*	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
Total hours		15

Spring Semester

	Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	3
	Elective	2
Total hours		14

*Course availability varies by semester. Please consult course catalog for details.

This is a proposed guideline. Please check the catalog and see your advisor for your final degree requirements.
Southwest Baptist University reserves the right to make changes to degree plans without advanced notice or obligation.
The student is responsible for understanding and completing all general education, degree, departmental and graduation requirements.

Download in PDF format:
English Plan (PDF)