English, B.Hum.

Program Description

This English major, with its three options, offers students the unique opportunity to study literature in an interdisciplinary context where the relationships among literature and art, history, music, philosophy, media, and American Studies can be investigated. The major offers courses in American, British, and world literatures, emphasizing their cultural and historical contexts as well as teaching students to interpret them from a variety of critical perspectives. Small classes in both creative and expository writing encourage students to develop their writing skills by working closely with faculty.

Creative Writing Option

Emphasizing original works of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and hybrid genres, the Creative Writing Option provides aspiring authors with a literary foundation in the craft of writing and revising original work, as well as practical skills in editing and publishing in traditional and new media formats.

General English Option

With its emphases on interpretive skills, creativity, and writing, the General English Option provides a foundation for careers in such fields as publishing, public relations, communication, government and law, as well as a strong basis for graduate education.

Secondary Education Option

This option prepares students to meet the requirements as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to be certified for the English Instructional I Certificate. The major prepares students to teach an array of English and humanities courses at the secondary (grades 7-12) level.

Students are challenged to prepare for teaching assignments at the middle and high school level, and in diverse settings characterized as rural, urban, and suburban, The art and science of teaching in secondary schools is undergoing significant transformation as new technologies, time allocation for instruction, and new instructional strategies are impacting the delivery of English instruction.

Students admitted to the program must have the appropriate clearances. These include FBI fingerprint check, Act 151 child abuse history clearance, and Act 34 criminal record check.

Students thinking seriously about entering the education program should plan their freshman and sophomore years carefully, especially taking in consideration the optional year-long clinical residency during semesters 7 and 8. . Semesters 5 through 8 are very structured.

What is English?

English refers to a broad field of study related to literature, professional writing, creative writing, and rhetoric. Majors develop critical thinking skills and produce influential academic, creative, professional, and digital texts. They learn to analyze genres, texts, and contexts that involve, for instance, race, class, gender, sexuality, and nationality. They also learn how various texts communicate value, meaning, and social and cultural critique.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You enjoy analyzing and exploring literature.
• You are interested in creative writing.
• You want to prepare for a professional field where communication is important, such as medicine or law.
• You want a career as an author, editor, journalist, or English teacher.

Entrance to Major

Entry to the English Major Requires:

1. a 2.00 or higher cumulative grade-point average; and
2. satisfaction of any entrance testing requirements set out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in effect at the time of application for entrance to major.

Entry to English Major, Secondary Education Option Requires the Following Additional Requirements:

1. A minimum grade point average of 3.0.
2. Completion of ENGL 15 or ENGL 30H.
3. Three credits of literature from approved list with a C or higher grade.
4. Completion of six credits of college-level mathematics (MATH or STAT prefixes) with a C or higher grade.
5. Satisfaction of any entrance testing requirements set out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in effect at the time of application for the major.
6. Submission of the Teacher Education Office of current and clear background checks required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
7. Submission of documentation of 20 pre-major fieldwork hours.

Retention Requirements for the Secondary Education Option

Following entrance to the major to the Secondary English Certification Program, students will be evaluated for retention in the program based on:

1. maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
2. completion of required courses with a C or higher grade;
3. an acceptable or above rating on the Professional Dispositions for Teacher Education.¹
4. current and clear background checks as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

To be eligible to student teach, students must:

1. maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
2. complete with a C or higher grade all required Content and Education Courses;
3. Satisfaction of any entrance testing requirements set out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in effect at the time of application for entrance to major;
4. be rated acceptable or above on the Professional Dispositions for Teacher Education.¹
5. have current and clear background checks as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In order to successfully complete the Secondary Education Certification Program, students must:

1. complete EDUC 490 with a grade of C or higher;
2. maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher for degree completion;
3. maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for Pennsylvania teacher certification;
4. complete all required Content and Education Courses with a C or higher grade;
5. complete a program portfolio; and
6. For Pennsylvania teacher certification, be rated acceptable or above for all criteria on the Final Professional Dispositions Review for Teacher Education. ¹

¹

For more detailed information see the Secondary Education Handbook

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Humanities degree in English with a General English Option, a minimum of 120 credits is required; for the Bachelor of Humanities degree in English with a Secondary Education Option, a minimum of 125 credits is required; for the Bachelor of Humanities degree in English with a Creative Writing Option, a minimum of 120 credits is required:

0-15 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: General English Option, 6 credits of General Education Arts (GA) and/or Social and Behavioral Science (GS) courses; Secondary Education Option, 6 credits of General Education Quantification (GQ) courses, 3 credits of General Education Social Sciences (GS) courses, and 6 credits of General Humanities (GH) courses. (Note: Creative Writing Option - 0 credits of General Education).

Requirements for the Major

At least 15 credits of Prescribed, Additional, and/or Supporting courses must be taken at the 400 level.

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
ENGL 200W	Introduction to Critical Reading	3
ENGL 444	Shakespeare	3
Additional Courses
Select 3 credits from the following:		3
ENGL 221	British Literature to 1798
ENGL 221W	British Literature to 1798
ENGL 222	British Literature from 1798
ENGL 222W	British Literature from 1798
ENGL 231	American Literature to 1865
ENGL 231Y	American Literature to 1865
ENGL 232	American Literature from 1865
ENGL 232Y	American Literature from 1865
Supporting Courses and Related Areas 1
Select 3 credits in American ethnic literature or African-American literature from department list		3
Select 3 credits in world literature or comparative literature from department list		3
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 3 credits in American literature at the 300 or 400 level from department list		3
Select 3 credits in British literature at the 300 or 400 level from department list		3
Requirements for the Option
Select an option		24-56

¹

At least 9 credits must be at the 300-400 level.

Requirements for the Option

Creative Writing Option (27 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better:
COMM 342W	Idea Development and Media Writing	3
ENGL 212	Introduction to Fiction Writing	3
ENGL 213	Introduction to Poetry Writing	3
ENGL 214	Introduction to Creative Nonfiction Writing	3
Addtional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better:
In semesters 3-5, take 6 credits from this list:		6
COMM 346	Writing for the Screen I
ENGL 136	The Graphic Novel
ENGL 180	Literature and the Natural World
ENGL 191	Science Fiction
ENGL 192	The Literature of Fantasy
ENGL 209	Journal or Magazine Practicum
ENGL 210	The Process of Writing
ENGL 211	Introduction to Writing Studies
ENGL 262	Reading Fiction
ENGL 263	Reading Poetry
ENGL 265	Reading Nonfiction
In semesters 5-8, take 6 credits from this list:		6
COMM 446	Writing for the Screen II
ENGL 412	Advanced Fiction Writing
ENGL 413	Advanced Poetry Writing
ENGL 415	Advanced Nonfiction Writing
ENGL 420	Writing for the Web
ENGL 422	Fiction Workshop
ENGL 423
ENGL/ENVST 424	Creative Writing and the Natural World
ENGL 497	Special Topics
ENGL 498	Special Topics
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 3 credits from courses designated asd Literature, Writing, or Rhetoric (any courses with an ENGL, except ENGL 4, ENGL 5, ENGL 15, ENGL 202, or CMLIT prefix) or from the department approved list		3

General English Option (24 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Additional Courses
Select 3 credits from the following:		3
ENGL 100	English Language Analysis
ENGL 191	Science Fiction
ENGL 261	Exploring Literary Forms
ENGL 262	Reading Fiction
ENGL 263	Reading Poetry
ENGL 265	Reading Nonfiction
ENGL 268	Reading Drama
ENGL 400	Authors, Texts, Contexts
ENGL 401	Studies in Genre
ENGL 407	History of the English Language
ENGL 458	Twentieth-Century Poetry
ENGL 482	Contemporary Literary Theory and Practice
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 3 credits from the following:		3
ENGL 50	Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 210	The Process of Writing
ENGL 212	Introduction to Fiction Writing
ENGL 213	Introduction to Poetry Writing
ENGL 215	Introduction to General Nonfiction Writing
ENGL 250	Peer Tutoring in Writing
ENGL 412	Advanced Fiction Writing
ENGL 413	Advanced Poetry Writing
ENGL 415	Advanced Nonfiction Writing
ENGL 416	Science Writing
ENGL 417	The Editorial Process
ENGL 418	Advanced Technical Writing and Editing
ENGL 419	Advanced Business Writing
ENGL 420	Writing for the Web
ENGL 421	Advanced Expository Writing
ENGL 422	Fiction Workshop
ENGL 423
ENGL 470	Rhetorical Theory and Practice
ENGL 491	The Capstone Course in Professional Writing
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 12 credits in Literature, Writing, and/or Rhetoric		12
Select 6 credits from General Education Arts (GA) and/or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS)		6

Secondary Education Option (56 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDPSY 14	Learning and Instruction	3
EDUC 313	Secondary Education Field Experience	2
EDUC 314	Learning Theory and Instructional Procedures	3
EDUC 315Y	Social and Cultural Factors in Education	3
EDUC 385	Professional Development in Teaching	3
EDUC 400	Diversity and Cultural Awareness Practices in the K-12 Classroom	3
EDUC 416	Teaching Secondary English and the Humanities	3
EDUC 458	Behavior Management Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms	3
EDUC 459	Strategies for Effective Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms	3
EDUC 466N	Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language	3
EDUC 490	Student Teaching	9
ENGL 470	Rhetorical Theory and Practice	3
HDFS 239	Adolescent Development	3
LLED 420	Teaching Adolescent Literature and Literacy	3
Additional Courses
Select 6 credits of General Education Quantification courses (GQ) with a MATH or STAT prefix		6
Select 3 credits of GH literature from department list		3

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
• Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Arts (GA): 3 credits
• Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
• Humanities (GH): 3 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

• Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

• GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
• GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

• United States Cultures: 3 credits
• International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Program Learning Objectives

• Apply critical, theoretical, and/or disciplinary approaches to the reading and analysis of texts in multiple genres and/or media.
• Analyze the aesthetic and/or cultural significance of the ideas, values, conventions, forms, and genres associated with texts.
• Gather, evaluate, and employ an array of research materials in support of critical studies, and/or creative activity, in ways consistent with standards of academic integrity.
• Demonstrate writing and rhetorical skills appropriate to critical and/or creative tasks in a variety of media and genres.
• Analyze representative literary, theoretical, and cultural texts within significant historical, geographical, and cultural contexts.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Harrisburg

Russell Kirkscey, Ph.D.
Program Chair
Olmsted W355J
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6192
trk82@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

Creative Writing Option: English, B.Hum. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Departmental Lists:

American ethnic or African-American Literature

• ENGL 135 - Alternative Voices in American Literature
• ENGL 235 - African-American Oral Folk Tradition
• ENGL 431 - Black American Writers
• ENGL 461 - The Vernacular Roots of African American Literature
• ENGL 462 - Reading Black, Reading Feminist
• ENGL 463 - African American Autobiography
• ENGL 466 - African American Novel I
• ENGL 467 - African American Novel II
• ENGL 468 - African American Poetry
• ENGL 469 - Slavery and the Literary Imagination

²

 World or Comparative Literature

• ENGL 182 - Literature and Empire
• ENGL 185 - The Modern Novel  in World Literature
• ENGL 486 - The World Novel in English
• ENGL 488 - Modern Continental Drama
• or any Comparative Literature class (CMLIT)

³

 Upper-level British Literature

• ENGL 440 - Studies in Shakespeare
• ENGL 441 - Chaucer
• ENGL 442 - Medieval English Literature
• ENGL 443 - The English Renaissance
• ENGL 445 - Shakespeare's Contemporaries
• ENGL 445 - Milton
• ENGL 447 - The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century
• ENGL 448 - The English Novel to Jane Austen
• ENGL 450 - The Romantics
• ENGL 452 - The Victorians
• ENGL 453 - Victorian Novel
• ENGL 454 - British and Irish Drama Since 1890
• ENGL 455 - Topics in British Literature
• ENGL 456 - British Fiction: 1900-1945
• ENGL 457 - British Fiction Since 1945
• ENGL 458 - Twentieth-Century Poetry: British and Irish

⁴

 Upper-level American Literature

• ENGL 430 - The American Renaissance
• ENGL 432 - The American Novel to 1900
• ENGL 433 - The American Novel: 1900-1945
• ENGL 434 - Topics in American Literature
• ENGL 435 - The American Short Story
• ENGL 436 - American Fiction Since 1945
• ENGL 437 - The Poet in America
• ENGL 438 - American Drama
• ENGL 439 - American Nonfiction Prose
• ENGL 493 - The Folktale in American Literature

⁵

 Select from Literature, Writing, or Rhetoric from department list

Select any course with an ENGL or CMLIT prefix

B HUM Degree require course, of these selections (12 credits) select 4 upper or lower division courses, each from a different major/program offering from the following list: AAA S, AM ST, ARAB, ART, ART H, BRASS, CAS, CAMS, CHNS, CMLIT, COMM, DANCE, ENGL, FR, GER, GREEK, HEBR, HIST, INART, IT, J ST, JAPNS, KOR, LATIN, LING, MEDVL, MUSIC, PHIL, PORT, RL ST, RUS, SPAN, STS, THEA, WMNST.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Advising Notes

Students must complete a 3-credit course in "United States Cultures (US)" and a 3-credit course in "International Cultures (IL)." 

General English Option: English, B.Hum. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Departmental Lists:

American ethnic or African-American Literature

• ENGL 135 - Alternative Voices in American Literature
• ENGL 235 - African-American Oral Folk Tradition
• ENGL 431 - Black American Writers
• ENGL 461 - The Vernacular Roots of African American Literature
• ENGL 462 - Reading Black, Reading Feminist
• ENGL 463 - African American Autobiography
• ENGL 466 - African American Novel I
• ENGL 467 - African American Novel II
• ENGL 468 - African American Poetry
• ENGL 469 - Slavery and the Literary Imagination

²

 World or Comparative Literature

• ENGL 182 - Literature and Empire
• ENGL 185 - The Modern Novel  in World Literature
• ENGL 486 - The World Novel in English
• ENGL 488 - Modern Continental Drama
• or any Comparative Literature class (CMLIT)

³

 Upper-level British Literature

• ENGL 440 - Studies in Shakespeare
• ENGL 441 - Chaucer
• ENGL 442 - Medieval English Literature
• ENGL 443 - The English Renaissance
• ENGL 445 - Shakespeare's Contemporaries
• ENGL 445 - Milton
• ENGL 447 - The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century
• ENGL 448 - The English Novel to Jane Austen
• ENGL 450 - The Romantics
• ENGL 452 - The Victorians
• ENGL 453 - Victorian Novel
• ENGL 454 - British and Irish Drama Since 1890
• ENGL 455 - Topics in British Literature
• ENGL 456 - British Fiction: 1900-1945
• ENGL 457 - British Fiction Since 1945
• ENGL 458 - Twentieth-Century Poetry: British and Irish

⁴

 Upper-level American Literature

• ENGL 430 - The American Renaissance
• ENGL 432 - The American Novel to 1900
• ENGL 433 - The American Novel: 1900-1945
• ENGL 434 - Topics in American Literature
• ENGL 435 - The American Short Story
• ENGL 436 - American Fiction Since 1945
• ENGL 437 - The Poet in America
• ENGL 438 - American Drama
• ENGL 439 - American Nonfiction Prose
• ENGL 493 - The Folktale in American Literature

⁵

 Approved ENGL Courses

• ENGL 50 - Introduction to Creative Writing (GA)
• ENGL 210 - The Process of Writing
• ENGL 212 - Introduction to Fiction Writing
• ENGL 213 - Introduction Poetry Writing
• ENGL 215 - Introduction to Article Writing 
• ENGL 250 - Peer Tutoring in Writing
• ENGL 412 - Advanced Fiction Writing
• ENGL 413 - Advanced Poetry Writing 
• ENGL 415 - Advanced Nonfiction Writing
• ENGL 416 - Science Writing 
• ENGL 417 - The Editorial Process
• ENGL 418 - Advanced Technical Writing and Editing
• ENGL 419 - Advanced Business Writing
• ENGL 420 - Writing for the Web
• ENGL 421 - Advanced Expository Writing 
• ENGL 422 - Fiction Workshop
• ENGL 423 - Poetry Writing Workshop
• ENGL 470 - Rhetorical Theory and Practice
• ENGL 491 - The Capstone Course in Professional Writing

⁶

 Select from Literature, Writing, or Rhetoric from department list

Select any course with an ENGL or CMLIT prefix

B HUM Degree require course, of these selections (12 credits) select 4 upper or lower division courses, each from a different major/program offering from the following list: AAA S, AM ST, ARAB, ART, ART H, BRASS, CAS, CAMS, CHNS, CMLIT, COMM, DANCE, ENGL, FR, GER, GREEK, HEBR, HIST, INART, IT, J ST, JAPNS, KOR, LATIN, LING, MEDVL, MUSIC, PHIL, PORT, RL ST, RUS, SPAN, STS, THEA, WMNST.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Advising Notes

Students must complete a 3-credit course in "United States Cultures (US)" and a 3-credit course in "International Cultures (IL)."

Secondary Education Option: English, B.Hum. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

Departmental Lists:

American ethnic or African-American Literature

• ENGL 135 - Alternative Voices in American Literature
• ENGL 235 - African-American Oral Folk Tradition
• ENGL 431 - Black American Writers
• ENGL 461 - The Vernacular Roots of African American Literature
• ENGL 462 - Reading Black, Reading Feminist
• ENGL 463 - African American Autobiography
• ENGL 466 - African American Novel I
• ENGL 467 - African American Novel II
• ENGL 468 - African American Poetry
• ENGL 469 - Slavery and the Literary Imagination

²

 World or Comparative Literature

• ENGL 182 - Literature and Empire
• ENGL 185 - The Modern Novel  in World Literature
• ENGL 486 - The World Novel in English
• ENGL 488 - Modern Continental Drama
• or any Comparative Literature class (CMLIT)

³

 Upper-level British Literature

• ENGL 440 - Studies in Shakespeare
• ENGL 441 - Chaucer
• ENGL 442 - Medieval English Literature
• ENGL 443 - The English Renaissance
• ENGL 445 - Shakespeare's Contemporaries
• ENGL 445 - Milton
• ENGL 447 - The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century
• ENGL 448 - The English Novel to Jane Austen
• ENGL 450 - The Romantics
• ENGL 452 - The Victorians
• ENGL 453 - Victorian Novel
• ENGL 454 - British and Irish Drama Since 1890
• ENGL 455 - Topics in British Literature
• ENGL 456 - British Fiction: 1900-1945
• ENGL 457 - British Fiction Since 1945
• ENGL 458 - Twentieth-Century Poetry: British and Irish

⁴

 Upper-level American Literature

• ENGL 430 - The American Renaissance
• ENGL 432 - The American Novel to 1900
• ENGL 433 - The American Novel: 1900-1945
• ENGL 434 - Topics in American Literature
• ENGL 435 - The American Short Story
• ENGL 436 - American Fiction Since 1945
• ENGL 437 - The Poet in America
• ENGL 438 - American Drama
• ENGL 439 - American Nonfiction Prose
• ENGL 493 - The Folktale in American Literature

⁵

Select from Literature, Writing, or Rhetoric from department list

Select any course with an ENGL or CMLIT prefix

B HUM Degree require course, of these selections (12 credits) select 4 upper or lower division courses, each from a different major/program offering from the following list: AAA S, AM ST, ARAB, ART, ART H, BRASS, CAS, CAMS, CHNS, CMLIT, COMM, DANCE, ENGL, FR, GER, GREEK, HEBR, HIST, INART, IT, J ST, JAPNS, KOR, LATIN, LING, MEDVL, MUSIC, PHIL, PORT, RL ST, RUS, SPAN, STS, THEA, WMNST.

⁶

Course requires entrance to program

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Advising Notes

Students must complete a 3-credit course in "United States Cultures (US)" and a 3-credit course in "International Cultures (IL)."

Career Paths

Penn State Harrisburg graduates in English have found success as writers, librarians, teachers, graduate students in MFA and other writing programs, and more. Many of these students' testimonials are available on our website.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE ENGLISH PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Additional graduate study is available in creative writing and literature as part of the Master of Arts in Humanities.

Professional Resources

• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)

Accreditation

This program has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the Secondary Education Option earned National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) approval.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Contact

Harrisburg

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Olmsted Building, W356
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6596
dzs640@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/humanities/english-bhum