Literature Major
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” - John 1:1
In an age of distraction, short attention spans, and information overload, we seek to cultivate the art of deep reading and reflection. These skills are counter-cultural but of great value for the human soul, especially for those whose faith is rooted in Scripture.
In keeping with the University mission to develop effective ambassadors for Christ, students will also learn to write and speak effectively, with opportunities to practice in creative, scholarly, and semi-professional settings. Our faith calls us to higher levels of engagement in understanding and communicating meaningfully with others.
In the area of literature, we offer unique, thematically-designed courses such as Prophetic Comedy, Hero and Anti-Hero, and Faith and Doubt. We embrace the study of both classical and contemporary texts from around the world.
In the area of writing, classes address essentials such as Non-Fiction Prose or Creative Writing and also cover specialized areas such as Screenwriting.
OBJECTIVES
- To learn the art of reading, through exploring a wide range of literature, from various genres, historical periods, and regions of the world
- To learn the craft of research and writing
- To understand the foundations of literary theory and criticism
- To discern and reflect on the spiritual dimension of literary works
Note: English majors should consider seriously the Oxford Summer Program and/or the Oxford Honors Program. See Best Semester or consult your advisor.
Students interested in teaching English at the secondary level should contact the Education Department. We co-advise so that our graduates are certified by the State of Illinois and other cooperating states.
Important Notes
- 40% of major requirements must be completed at Judson.
- 40% of major requirements must be upper division.
Gen Eds Required by Major
- ENG210 Advanced Essay Writing (3 c.h.) or ENG211 Non-Fiction Prose (3 c.h.) (fulfills Gen Ed Advanced Writing Requirement)
- Any ENG36*/37* course (fulfills Gen Ed Upper Division English Requirement)
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| ENG210 | Advanced Essay Writing | 3 |
| or ENG211 | Non-Fiction Prose | |
| ENG262 | British Literature | 3 |
| ENG263 | American Literature | 3 |
| ENG312 | Literary Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| ENG360 | World Classics: European | 3 |
| ENG364 | World Classics: Non-Western | 3 |
| COM499 | Senior Research Project | 3 |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 1 |
| Literature | ||
| Select a total of six courses from the categories below: | 18 | |
| Themes | ||
| Select at least two of the following: | ||
| Hero and Anti-Hero | ||
| Man and Woman | ||
| Prophetic Comedy | ||
| Literature and Spirituality | ||
| Nature Literature | ||
| Faith and Doubt | ||
| Suffering and Hope | ||
| Genres | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Plays That Shaped Western World | ||
| Poetry | ||
| The Novel | ||
| Specialty Studies | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Comic Books and Graphic Novels | ||
| African-American Literature | ||
| Shakespeare: Plays and Performance | ||
| Readings in English | ||
| Advanced Language/Writing | ||
| Select one from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Advanced Essay Writing | ||
| Non-Fiction Prose | ||
| History and Structure of English | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Creative Writing II | ||
| Oral Interpretation/Literature | ||
| Storytelling | ||
| Language and Society | ||
| Communication Arts Internship | ||
| Total Hours | 43 | |
- 1
Students must register for COM293 Communication Arts Conference (1.00 c.h.) every semester that they attend Judson. Registration is for 0 credit hours except the student’s final semester when it must be taken for 1 credit hour.
- 2
Course may not duplicate with the major core.
Bachelor of Arts in Literature (Four-Year Plan)
Academic planning is the student's responsibility. This Graduation Plan is designed to be a guide to assist students as they plan their course selections. This is only a suggested schedule, and is not a substitute for a student's Degree Audit, nor the Program Requirements in the Judson University Catalog. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and approval of an academic advisor. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time at which they entered the institution. Course requirements and sequencing may vary with AP courses, transfer courses, English/math placement, or other conditions.
A full-time course load for undergraduate students is 12-18 credits per semester. Illinois residents receiving state aid should register for 15 hours per semester.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| BST110 | Intro to the Christian Bible | 3 |
| ENG102 | Critical Thinking and Writing (or ACT/SAT placement) | 3 |
| GEN101 | Questions of Life: Entering the Judson Conversation (<24 transfer hours) | 1 |
| ESS101 | Wellness | 1 |
| Physical Activity course | 1 | |
| PSY111 or SOC151 |
Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| ENG262 | British Literature | 3 |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THS110 | Christian Faith: Understanding and Application | 3 |
| ENG211 | Non-Fiction Prose (or ACT/SAT placement) | 3 |
| SPC120 | Foundations of Speech | 3 |
| HIS262 | History of Civilization II | 3 |
| ENG263 | American Literature | 3 |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENG210 | Advanced Essay Writing (or Language Elective 1) | 3 |
| ENG360 | World Classics: European | 3 |
| Gen Ed History Elective | 3 | |
| Math based on ACT/SAT placement | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Visual and Performing Arts Elective | 3 | |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Literature Elective 1 2 | 3 | |
| Advanced Language and Writing 2 2 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Science w/Lab | 4 | |
| Any Electives | 6 | |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Literature Elective 2 2 | 3 | |
| Literature Elective 3 2 | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Biblical Studies Elective | 3 | |
| Any Electives | 6 | |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENG364 | World Classics: Non-Western | 3 |
| ENG394 | Shakespeare: Plays and Performance (or Literature Elective 4) | 3 |
| Any Electives | 9 | |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ENG312 | Literary Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| Literature Elective 5 2 | 3 | |
| GEN401 | The Good Life: Continuing the Conversation 3 | 3 |
| Any Electives | 6 | |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 0 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COM499 | Senior Research Project | 3 |
| Literature Elective 6 2 | 3 | |
| Any Electives | 9 | |
| COM293 | Communication Arts Conference 1 | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 122 | |
- 1
Students must register for COM293 every semester that they attend Judson. Registration is for 0 credit hours except the student’s final semester when it must be taken for 1 credit hour.
- 2
See the list of approved Literature and Advanced Language/Writing Electives on the major audit. Some courses are offered only once a year or once every other year.
- 3
GEN401 The Good Life: Continuing the Conversation (3 c.h.) Continuing the Conversation can be taken in either Fall or Spring of the student's senior year.