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Çiğdem Üsekes, Ph.D., Department Chair usekesc@wcsu.edu White Hall 021C, Midtown campus (203) 837-3294 (203) 837-8905 (fax)
Carol O’Connor, Department Secretary oconnorc@wcsu.edu Warner Hall 304, Midtown campus (203) 837-8470 (203) 837-8905 (fax)
Overview
English courses prepare students for success in a wide variety of careers. In literature, authors examine the challenges of human existence, and readers participate by discussing and writing about what makes texts and their ideas important and pertinent to new generations. We consider the English degree to be the “degree for life” because English courses develop three skills needed in any field: the ability to read analytically, the ability to think critically, and the ability to write clearly. These skills are developed by close readings of literary texts and by exploring their personal and historical contexts. The English degree prepares students to enter fields where knowledge of texts, critical thinking, and written and oral communication are vital.
Humanistic studies courses are interdisciplinary courses that emphasize, encourage, and support creative and critical thinking in addressing the complex questions, problems, and challenges of an interconnected world. Every Humanistic studies course focuses on topics, subjects, and real-world problems that are inherently interdisciplinary. These courses explore subjects, topics, and real-world problems from the perspective of at least three integrated disciplines, drawing from the arts, the humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, and professional studies. Students are expected to not only gain knowledge and skills from a variety of integrated disciplines, but they are also expected to learn to think from cross-disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary perspectives, which are all germane to interdisciplinarity.
Mission
The Department of English and Interdisciplinary Studies seeks to promote the university’s mission by providing students with a high-quality education in English language and literature and in the theories, methods, and real-world applications of interdisciplinary studies. We are committed to developing students’ powers of critical thinking, analysis, reading, and writing. We believe students who complete any of the department’s programs will be prepared to compete vigorously in the global marketplace and to pursue a variety of career paths or to seek further education.
Objectives
To accomplish this mission, the Department of English and Interdisciplinary Studies:
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the B.A. in English or the B.S. in Secondary English Education will be able to:
Students who complete the B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies will be able to:
Sigma Tau Delta
The English program sponsors Alpha Lambda Epsilon, a local chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. Sigma Tau Delta’s central purpose is to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies. Candidates for undergraduate membership must have completed at least three semesters of college work and a minimum of two college courses in English language or literature beyond the usual requirements in freshman English. Members must also have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in English and rank at least in the highest 35 percent of their class in general scholarship. Students may contact the department chair for more information on becoming a member of Alpha Lambda Epsilon.
Degree Programs:
B.A. in English B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies B.S. in English: Secondary Certification
Minors American Literature English Humanistic Studies Science and Society Sustainability
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH (B.A.)
Description: The study of literature prepares students for success in a wide variety of careers. In literature, authors examine the challenges of human existence and readers participate by discussing and writing about what makes texts and their ideas important and pertinent to new generations. We consider the English degree to be the “degree for life,” because English courses develop three skills needed in any field: the ability to read analytically, to think critically, and to write clearly.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH), including major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 48 SH.
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy General Education requirements, which are indicated in the parentheses after the course titles. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA English Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
Course Restrictions For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A.)
Description: This major allows students to combine two different fields to best suit their interests and career plans. With two courses designed to help students integrate their learning combined with concentrations in two different fields, students design their learning experiences around specific academic and career goals. Please contact the Department of English and Interdisciplinary Studies to initiate a major in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 42 SH.
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2324/academic-programs-degrees/
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Interdisciplinary Studies Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
** Upper-level courses usually have pre-requisites. Be sure to check this as you plan your concentrations.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SECONDARY EDUCATION – ENGLISH (B.S.)
Description: This degree provides students with the breadth of knowledge of literature, writing, and modes of inquiry in the humanities, so that students have the foundational knowledge they need to educate others.
Required Courses in the Major: 42 SH, Certification 35 SH
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Secondary Education: English Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*The BS Secondary Ed: requires that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement. However, they must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course.
Minors
Please consult your advisor for all program requirements.
Minor in American Literature (18 SH)
Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.
Required Courses (3 SH): ENG 130W English Seminar
Select five (5) courses from the following list (15 SH): ENG 209 American Literature to 1865 ENG 210 American Literature from 1865 ENG 214 African American Literature ENG 217 American Dream: Visions & Revisions ENG 348 Early American Literature ENG 349 American Literature of Identity 1820-1920
Students may petition the Chair to apply the following courses to the minor when, in the Chair’s judgment, the topic is appropriate: ENG 227 Topics in Ethnic and Minority Literature ENG 414 Road Scholar ENG 450 Studies in Major Authors ENG 453 Special Topics in Literature
Minor in English (18 SH)
Required Courses: ENG 130W English Seminar Two (2) 200-level English courses Two (2) 300-level English courses One (1) 400-level literature course
Minor in Humanistic Studies (18 SH)
Required Course (3 SH): HUM 151 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies
Fifteen credits (15 SH) in Approved HUM electives. (15 SH) At least nine credits (9 SH) at the 200-level or above. All current HUM courses can be applied toward the minor.
Minor in Science and Society (17-18 SH)
The Minor in Science and Society requires 17-18 credits, including HUM 292 Science and Society (3 credits) and the remaining 14-15 elective credits to be selected from the two groups specified below. No more than 9 credits may be taken within the student’s major, and no more than 9 credits may be taken within the same discipline. Students must maintain a 2.0 minimum GPA in the minor.
Required Course (3 SH): HUM 292 Science and Society
Group I Electives: (Choose 8-9 credits from the following courses. Choose either two 4-credit courses or three 3-credit courses.) BIO 100 Concepts of Biology BIO 107/202 Scientific Inquiry in the Field BIO 150 Science of Climate Change CHE 102 Everyday Chemistry I CHE/HUM 293 The Science and Culture of the Atomic Bomb CS 102 3D Modeling and Printing CS 103 Computer Animation and Scripting CS 110 Website Production CS 135 Problem Solving with Computers CS 140 Introduction to Programming CS 172 Intermediate Java Programming MAT 110 Great Ideas in Mathematics MAT 113 Introduction to the History of Mathematics MAT 127 Introduction to Cryptology MAT 363 History of Mathematics PSY 230 Introduction to Brain and Behavior PSY 251 Psychology of Cognition PSY 352 Cognitive Neuroscience
Group II Electives: (Choose six (6) credits from the following courses.) HUM 213 Artificial Intelligence: Minds and Machines HUM 222 Sustainability: Economics, Ecology, Ethics HUM 290 Science and Technology in Film HUM 391 Big Data and Society PSY 260 Health Psychology PSY 270 Psychology of Sustainability PSY 309 Social Psychology and the Law PSY 347 Developmental Psychology and Social Policy
Minor in Sustainability (18 SH) A minor in sustainability requires 18 credits, including HUM 222 Sustainability: Economics, Ecology, Ethics (3), and 15 more credits derived from the following elective courses. (New courses may be added to those listed below so please contact the Department for an up to date list.) No more than 9 credits in this minor may be taken within a student’s major.
Required Course (3 SH): HUM 222 Sustainability: Economics, Ecology, Ethics
Five (5) courses from the approved lists below (15 SH):
Biology Courses BIO 200 Ecology (4) (prereq: C- or better in both BIO 103 & BIO 104) BIO 422 Conservation Ecology (4) (prereq: BIO 200, BIO 260 & one BIO 300-level course) BIO 375 Climate Ecology (3) (prereq: C- or better in BIO 200, BIO 260 and either MAT 115 or MAT 120)
Earth Science Course ES 103 Planet Earth (4)
Economics Courses ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics (3) ECO 213 Principles of Microeconomics (3) ECO 240 Environmental Economics (3) ECO 317 Economic Development and Growth (3) (prereq: ECO 211)
Environmental Studies Courses ENV 100 Environmental Resources (4) ENV/BIO 156 Biology of the Environment (3) ENV/MTR 162 Air Pollution Sources (4) ENV/SS 250 Society and the Environment (3)
Physics Courses PHY/ENV 136 Energy (4)
Geography Courses GEO 100 Principles of World Geography (3) GEO/ENV 150 Urban Environment as a human Ecological Problem (3) GEO 270 The Geography of the Environment and Development (3) (prereq: GEO 100)
Health Promotion & Exercise Courses HPX 100 Health Promotion and Maintenance (3) HPX 240 Introduction to Principles of Holistic and Integrative Health (3) HPX/HUM 246 Indigenous Spirituality & Environmental Activism (3) HPX/HUM 247 Approaches to Well Being in Indo-Tibetan Philosophy (3) HPX 353 Environmental and Global Health (3)
Humanistic Studies Courses HUM/HPX 246 Approaches to Well Being in Indo-Tibetan Philosophy (3) HUM/HPX 247 Indigenous Spirituality & Environmental Activism (3)
Management Courses (All students must take 9 credits outside the required classes of their major.) MGT 405 Small Business Entrepreneurship (prereq: ACC 202, FIN 310, MKT 301 and GPA 2.3 or higher.) MGT 410 Current Issues in Management (prereq: senior standing and GPA 2.3 or higher)
Marketing Courses MKT 305 Global Environment of Business (3) (prereq: GPA >2.3, Junior standing, MKT 200, MGT 250, FIN 310)
Meteorology Courses MTR 150 Meteorology (4) MTR 240 Climatology (4) (prereq: MTR 150)
Philosophy Courses PHI 225 Ethics and Animals (3) PHI 226 Environmental Philosophy (3) PHI 421 Developmental & Humanitarian Ethics (3)
Political Science Courses PS 315 Environmental Issues in International Relations (3)
Psychology Courses PSY 270 Psychology of Sustainability (3) (prereq: PSY 100)
Course Restrictions
For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
