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About Us

Mission

The Department of English and Linguistics is responsible for writing instruction and general education courses in literature, folklore, linguistics, and related fields. It offers undergraduate and master's-level degree programs in English, as well as minors in English, creative writing, folklore, linguistics, and professional writing.

Goals

The Writing Program

Upon completion of basic courses in the writing program (ENG W130, W131, W140, W233), students should:

  • Demonstrate critical thinking through the interrelated activities of reading and writing. For example, students might annotate, respond to, and formally evaluate texts and analyze, synthesize, and interpret their writings and those of peers and professionals.
  • Read and write clearly and persuasively in various rhetorical contexts. For example, students might read and write expressive, persuasive, and informative papers for personal, public, and academic audiences using the processes, formats, and styles approrpriate for these audiences.
  • Apply methods of inquiry approrpiate to various rhetorical contexts so that students move beyond mere reporting of information to make an original contribution to knowledge. For example, students might do primary and secondary research ranging from introspection to the use of public sources.

The Concentration in English for the Associate of Arts

All IPFW graduates with a concentration in English for the Associate of Arts will be able:

  • To demonstrate a basic knowledge of language, writing, and British and American literature.
  • To decide whether they want to pursue the B.A. in English.

The English Major

All IPFW graduates with a major in English will be able:

  • To write critically, precisely, and persuasively, especially about topics relevant to the major field and selected concentration.
  • To communicate knowledge of literary and linguistic conventions and traditions, especially those of America and England.
  • To demonstrate the ability to use research tools and methods approrpiate to their selected concentration.

Additionally, all IPFW graduates with a major in English will possess knowledge and skills appropriate to their selected concentration as stated below.

English and Communication Media Concentration

Graduates will demonstrate particular strengths in:

  • Understanding the history and operation of mass media
  • Being able to produce a range of materials for a variety of public audiences

English Language Concentration

Graduates will demonstrate particular strengths in:

  • Understanding the rules of operation and social connections of natural languages, especially English
  • KNowing the evolution of the English language
  • Using the analytical and descriptive tools of English linguistics

English Literature Concentration

Graduates will demonstrate particular strengths in:

  • Understanding and appreciating literature in English created during various historical periods
  • Applying the methods of various types of literary criticism

Teacher Certification

Graduates will demonstrate particular strengths in:

  • Understanding the elements of literature, language, and communication appropriate for a secondary-school teacher of English
  • Applying their knowledge of literature, language, and communication to the teaching of others

Writing Concentration

Graduates will demonstrate particular strengths in:

  • Understanding the principles of writing and rhetoric
  • Applying writing skills to original works of fiction, nonfiction, and/or poetry

Master of Arts in English

Students who complete the Master of Arts in English will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the knowledge of two specific areas of study in English
  • Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the diverse scholarly approaches to major issues in the study of literature, language, linguistics, or rhetoric/composition/writing
  • Write professional papers that demonstrate critical and analytical thinking and other necessary skills for independent research and writing

Master of Arts for Teachers of English

Students who complete the Master of Arts for Teachers of English will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of those areas of study in English that are relevant to their development as teachers at the secondary or college level
  • Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the diverse scholarly approaches to major issues in the study of literature, language, and linguistics, or rhetoric/composition/writing
  • Write professional papers that demonstrate critical and analytical thinking and other necessary skills for independent research and writing