English

Learn more about the Department of English at Valpo online.

Professors Belanger, Buinicki, Hanson; Associate Professors S. Anderson, Burow-Flak, Danger, Potter, Schuette, Sévère (chair).

The English Department offers a variety of courses for both English majors and other students. These courses help students to use the English language maturely, sensitively and effectively. A major in English studies also helps students to develop their capacities to enjoy and understand imaginative literature. Relatively small class sizes allow students to cultivate a close relationship with professors and to sharpen their analytical and expressive skills through writing and discussion. In addition to preparing a student for graduate work or for teaching, an English major provides an excellent qualification for numerous careers and professions. Many schools of medicine, law, and theology view an English major as highly desirable for acceptance into their programs. Businesses, not-for-profit agencies, and government offices employ English majors for positions in human resources, sales and marketing, public relations, systems analysis, and advertising, as well as editing and writing. The abilities to read and understand complex material, to write and speak precisely, to think clearly, thoroughly, and subtly remain in high demand.

All students with an interest in English studies are invited to join the English Society. Students of exceptional merit earn membership in Sigma Tau Delta, a national honor society, and may qualify for departmental scholarships. English elementary education majors may join the Valparaiso University affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English.

Diversity in Literature

The English Department affirms the significance of writing by people of color and other ethnic or minority groups and regularly includes it in literature and writing courses. In addition, the department offers specific topics courses especially focused on this writing and designed to fulfill the Cultural Diversity General Education Requirement. Representative topics include American Ethnic Literature and African- American Literature.

Credit by Examination

Credit for ENGL 100 may be earned through the College Level Examination Program general examination in English or the subject area examination in English Composition, or through the Advanced Placement Examination offered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Credit for ENGL 200 may be earned through the College Level Examination Program subject examination in Analysis and Interpretation of Literature or through the Advanced Placement examination offered by the College Entrance Examination Board.

Degree

Completion of the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in English leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Approval of Schedules

All students declaring a major or a minor in English should make an appointment with the chair of the department. The chair will explain the offerings and programs of the department and direct each student to additional resources. All students taking a major or minor in English must have their schedules approved by their English advisor before registration.

Advising

The chair of the department will introduce all students to the professors who will be their advisors as long as they remain majors in the department. It is the student’s responsibility to confer regularly with the advisor about course selection, internships, career planning, and related matters. It is the advisor’s responsibility to help the student make a frank and realistic assessment of academic options and their consequences.

Cooperative Education

When it will clearly enhance their academic education, qualified students may engage in paid work experiences through which they may also earn credit. No more than six credits may be applied toward the minimum major requirements. All projects must receive prior approval from the department chair and must be monitored by a member of the English Department faculty. A report from the sponsoring agency is required, as well as a written report by the student. For further information, refer to Cooperative Education, College of Arts and Sciences, page 56.

Topics Courses

Courses in English marked by an asterisk (*) may vary in content and in writers assigned, depending on the instructor and the year given. Such courses may be taken twice for credit, provided that the topics are different or that there is no significant overlapping in the reading lists.