English

View/Print PDF

ENGLISH
Andrew J. Smyth
CHAIRPERSON
Engleman D 265
(203) 392-6741 - Fax (203) 392-6731
smytha2@SouthernCT.edu
Department Secretary: (203) 392-6710

Charles Baraw, Associate Professor
Corinne Blackmer, Associate Professor
Mary Brown, Professor
Joel Dodson, Associate Professor
Scott Ellis, Professor
Nicole Fluhr, Professor
Rachel Furey, Assistant Professor
Nicole Henderson, Professor
William Hochman, Professor
Brandon Hutchinson, Associate Professor
Brian Johnson, Professor
Elizabeth Kalbfleisch, Assistant Professor
Audrey Kerr, Professor
Steven Larocco, Professor
Jason Lawrence, Assistant Professor
Robert McEachern, Professor
Jeffrey Mock, Professor
Vara Neverow, Professor
Kalu Ogbaa, Professor
Timothy Parrish, Professor
Paul R. Petrie, Professor
George A. Rosso, Professor
Michael Shea, Professor
Vivian Shipley, Professor
Meredith Sinclair, Assistant Professor
Andrew J. Smyth, Professor
Dana Sonnenschein, Professor
Cynthia Stretch, Professor
Melissa Talhelm, Associate Professor

MAJOR IN ENGLISH

Through an intensive study of literature, the major in English gives students a knowledge of the broad outlines of literature and encourages them to engage in critical thinking. The English faculty promotes the development of both a critical reading ability and mature writing skills.

The major in English can lead to either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree (secondary education). The curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation for careers in teaching (secondary school and college), business, and communications, and to prepare students for graduate study in many different professional areas.

Secondary Education (Bachelor of Science Degree)

Students interested in pursuing a career in the teaching of English must first be accepted into the program and into the School of Education. See the department website for application information. To meet State and departmental requirements, secondary education majors in English must maintain an overall GPA of 2.7 or better and an average of 3.0 or better in their English courses.

Because the State Department of Education regularly updates its requirements for teacher certification, new courses may be added to the program by the time a student is ready to graduate and be certified. Students are encouraged to stay informed about their program area requirements and see their advisers often. The Gate System below suggests a sequence for completing key professional courses. No undergraduates should register for ENG 494 and ENG 496 until all other program requirements have been completed. Students who successfully receive the B.S. degree and pass Praxis® II will be recommended for Initial Teaching Certification.

Gate System

All students enrolled in the secondary education program in English must proceed through the program's Four Gates in the proper sequence:

Gate 1: Application to the School of Education*; Application Portfolio; Interview with the Secondary Education Committee; Taking Praxis® Core exam

(*A student may take no more than two professional education courses prior to acceptance into the School of Education)

Suggested key courses: EDU 201 (fieldwork experience), SHE 203

Gate 2: Fieldwork experience in ENG 492 —Teaching Literature to Adolescents

Suggested key courses: ENG 492, EDU 413, RDG 517, MDS 340, SED 482

Gate 3: Fieldwork experience in ENG 493 — English (Secondary School)

Suggested key course: EDU 471

Gate 4: ENG 494—Student Teaching (English) and ENG 496*—Student Teaching Seminar (English); Student Teaching Portfolio; and passing Praxis® II Content, required for certification but not graduation.

*Taken concurrently with EDU 496; all other professional education courses must be completed prior to enrolling in these two courses during the student teaching semester.

**Passing Praxis® II is a requirement for certification.

The specific professional requirements for Initial Teaching Certification in Connecticut are listed in the secondary education section of the School of Education.