Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

English (B.A. or B.S.)


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The student learning outcomes for the English B.A. and B.S. degrees are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

Track 1. English Studies in Literature, Language, and Film


Studies in Literature, Language, and Film traces the development of British, American, and world culture and thought, from the earliest years to the most recent. Students focusing on Track 1 will also have opportunity for study in the analysis of language and of film. This track leads to many career possibilities where the ability to read closely, interpret productively, think critically, and speak and write persuasively are essential skills.

One of the following Analytical Writing courses (3)


Two of the following Literature to 1660 courses (6)


Two of the following Literature 1660-1900 courses (6)


One of the following Literature since 1900 courses (3)


One of the following Diverse Literatures courses (3)


One additional English course at the 300-400 level in literature, language, or film (3)


Three additional English courses at the 300-400 level (9)


Requirements outside Department (B.A., 0-12; B.S., 12-17)


For the B.A. Degree
Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12)
See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.

For the B.S. Degree
Laboratory science/mathematical/computational skills sequence (12-17)
See “College Requirement for the B.S. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.

Total Hours for a Major in English, Track 1: 39-51 (B.A.); 51-56 (B.S.)


General Education Requirements (12-36)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

Foundational Studies (0-15)


Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0-6)

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies .

Knowledge Domain Requirements (12-21)


Creativity and Critical Analysis (3-6)

Nature and Technology (3-6)

  • ENGL 261X or ILAS 261, program electives, satisfies 3-credit hours in this Domain*.
  • One or Two 3-credit hour courses selected from approved general education list. Nature and Technology Course List   

Society and Culture (3-6)

  • ENGL 318, a program elective, satisfies 3-credit hours in this Domain*.
  • One or Two 3-credit hour courses selected from approved general education list. Society and Culture Course List  

Knowledge Domain Elective (3)

  • One 3-credit course from the approved general education list in any Domain.

* The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department.

Graduation Requirements (0-6)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

  • ENGL 335, ENGL 381, ENGL 382, and ENGL 477; program electives, satisfy 3-credit hours.
  • If no satisfying electives are taken, one course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may also be fulfilled by extracurricular activities. Human Diversity Course List  

Writing Infused Requirements (0-3)

  • One 3-credit course satisfied by the Literature to 1660 course requirements.
  • One 3-credit course from program electives or from the approved Writing Infused course list. Writing Infused Course List  

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 12-42


TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVES: 27-69 (B.A.); 22-57 (B.S.)


TOTAL HOURS FOR A B.A. or B.S. DEGREE IN ENGLISH; Track 1: English Studies in Literature, Language, and Film (120)


Track 2. English Studies for Secondary Licensure in English Language Arts


English Studies for Secondary Licensure in English Language Arts prepares students to teach grades 9-12. Students interested in teaching English Language Arts in grades 5-8 should consult an advisor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Students from other subject areas may choose to fulfill the requirements for educator licensure in English Language Arts as an additional endorsement.

Candidates for Secondary Licensure in English Language Arts (grades 9-12) must complete a minimum of 40 hours in English, pass all tests required by the State of Illinois, and complete a clinical sequence and student teaching. Candidates must also complete required professional course work in reading instruction, human growth and development, teaching of English language learners, classroom management for adolescents, and teaching of exceptional learners.

English majors who seek licensure to teach English Language Arts at the secondary level should consult with the coordinator of the English licensure program at the earliest possible date. Undergraduate majors normally apply for admission to the program at the end of the sophomore year, except in the case of transfer students, who normally apply during their first semester at NIU. Students who already possess the baccalaureate or higher degree and wish to pursue licensure without becoming a candidate for a degree should consult the coordinator of educator licensure in English as early as possible.

Admission Requirements


Completion of Foundational Studies in English composition (ENGL 103 and ENGL 203, or ENGL 204), oral communication, and quantitative literacy with a grade of C or better in each course used to satisfy these requirements.

A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 based on a minimum of 15 semester hours of NIU course work.

Completion of at least 9 semester hours of English at NIU, which must include ENGL 200, ENGL 207, and ENGL 300C. Educator licensure candidates must earn a minimum grade of B- in ENGL 300C and a minimum grade of C in other English courses.

Required overall NIU English GPA is 3.00.

Written application and satisfactory interview with the program coordinator.

Retention


Candidates for secondary licensure in English Language Arts must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all work at NIU plus a minimum GPA of 3.00 in English course work at NIU beyond ENGL 103-ENGL 203 or ENGL 204. Candidates must obtain a grade of B or better in ENGL 404, ENGL 479, ENGL 480, and ENGL 482, and have a satisfactory review of progress with the coordinator each semester. Courses listed below are aligned with Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and the National Council of Teachers of English standards for preparation of teachers of Secondary English Language Arts. Teacher licensure candidates should save appropriate evidence of content-area knowledge for their pre-service portfolio.

Requirements in Department (40-52)


ENGL 404, ENGL 479, ENGL 480, ENGL 482, and ENGL 485 must be taken in sequence. ENGL 480 and ENGL 482 must be taken in the semester immediately prior to enrollment in ENGL 485. Licensure candidates are admitted to ENGL 485 only upon application, review of their academic record and professional disposition, and satisfactory completion of all other work required for graduation, including all other work in the major.

One of the following Literature 1660-1900 courses (3)


One of the following Literature since 1900 courses (3)


One of the following Diverse Literatures courses (3)


One additional course in ENGL at the 300-400 level (3)


Requirements outside Department (B.A., 0-12; B.S., 12-17)


For the B.A. Degree
Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12).
See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.

Students seeking licensure should consult the coordinator as early as possible.

For the B.S. Degree
Laboratory science/mathematical/computational skills sequence (12-17)
See “College Requirement for the B.S. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.

Additional Requirements


The Secondary English Education Licensure Program requires a minimum of 100 clock hours of substantial, varied, and sequential clinical experiences prior to student teaching. These clinical hours will be completed across three semesters. This requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing the following courses.

Also Required


The ISBE and requirements for educator licensure in English Language Arts at NIU also specify that candidates in Track 2 must earn a grade of C or better for each course included in required professional course work in reading instruction, human growth and development, teaching of English language learners, classroom management for adolescents, and teaching of exceptional learners. Candidates should consult with the coordinator in English licensure to determine which courses satisfy these additional requirements outside the department.

In addition, candidates for secondary licensure in English must pass the Illinois examination for licensure in English Language Arts content and the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA).

Requirements for Educator Licensure in English Language Arts as an Additional Endorsement (18)


Candidates outside of the English licensure program may want to pursue a secondary English Language Arts endorsement. A grade of C or better must be earned in each course required for the endorsement, and candidates must pass the content area exam for Secondary English Language Arts. While the State requires a minimum of 18 hours of content-specific course work, the Secondary English Education Licensure Program strongly recommends that students pursuing this endorsement follow the program of study below to be prepared for the State’s content area exam and to have the substantial content knowledge necessary for the teaching of English language arts.

Total Hours for a Major in English, Track 2: 40-52 (B.A.); 52-57 (B.S.)


General Education Requirements (21-36)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

Foundational Studies (0-15)


Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0-6)

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies.  

Knowledge Domain Requirements (21)


Creativity and Critical Analysis (6)

Nature and Technology (6)

Society and Culture (6)

Knowledge Domain Elective (3)

  • One 3-credit course from the approved general education list in any Domain.

Graduation Requirements (0-3)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

  • ENGL 335, ENGL 381, ENGL 382, ENGL 477, program electives, satisfies 3-credit hours.
  • If no satisfying electives are taken, one course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may also be fulfilled by extracurricular activities. Human Diversity Course List  

Writing Infused Requirements (0)

  • Requirements satisfied by the Requirements in Department coursework.

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 21-39


TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVES: 29-59 (B.A.); 24-47 (B.S.)


TOTAL HOURS FOR A B.A. or B.S. DEGREE IN ENGLISH; Track 2: English Studies Leading to Secondary Licensure in English Language Arts (120)


Track 3. English Studies in Writing


Studies in Writing offers courses in creative writing as well as professional and technical writing. Students will ground their writing in a substantive understanding of language analysis, literary analysis, literary history, critical thinking, and the major literary genres. Students are encouraged to balance technical writing and creative writing classes to assemble a portfolio that demonstrates to prospective employers their fullest range of writing practices. Students serious about a writing career should also consult with advisors about internship opportunities in professional writing and editing on campus or with local businesses, companies, and organizations. Students may also earn the certificate of undergraduate study in Creative Writing.

One of the following Analytical Writing courses (3)


Four of the following Writing Courses (12)


One of the following Literature to 1660 courses (3)


One of the following Literature 1660-1900 courses (3)


One of the following Literature since 1900 courses (3)


One of the following Diverse Literatures courses (3)


Two additional courses in ENGL at the 300-400 level (6)


In addition to the required 39 credit hours of ENGL coursework, students in the writing track may be interested in the following writing courses. Students should consult with the English department advisor about selecting courses outside the department.

Requirements outside Department (B.A., 0-12; B.S., 12-17)


For the B.A. Degree
Fulfillment of B.A. foreign language requirement (0-12)
See “Foreign Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.

For the B.S. Degree
Laboratory science/mathematical/computational skills sequence (12-17)
See “College Requirement for the B.S. Degree” in the Other Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.

Total Hours for a Major in English, Track 3: 39-51 (B.A.) or 51-56 (B.S.)


General Education Requirements (18-36)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

Foundational Studies (0-15)


Writing Requirement (0-6)
Oral Communication Requirement (0-3)
Quantitative Literacy Requirements (0-6)

For additional information about these requirements, please visit Foundational Studies .

Knowledge Domain Requirements (18-21)


Creativity and Critical Analysis (0-6)

  • ENGL 340, a program elective, satisfies 3-credit hours of this Domain.
  • ENGL 350, a program elective, satisfies 3-credit hours of this Domain.
  • Depending on program electives selected, zero, one, or two 3-credit hour courses selected from approved general education list. Creativity and Creative Analysis Course List  

Nature and Technology (6)

Society and Culture (6)

Knowledge Domain Elective (3)

  • One 3-credit course from the approved general education list in any Domain.

 

Graduation Requirements (0-3)


In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

  • ENGL 335, ENGL 381, ENGL 382, ENGL 477, program electives, satisfies 3-credit hours.
  • If no satisfying electives are taken, one course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may also be fulfilled by extracurricular activities. Human Diversity Course List  

Writing Infused Requirements (0)

  • Requirements satisfied by the Requirements in Department coursework.

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 18-39


TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVES: 30-63 (B.A.); 25-51 (B.S.)


TOTAL HOURS FOR A B.A. or B.S. DEGREE IN ENGLISH; Track 3: English Studies in Writing (120)


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