2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

English, BA (ENGL-BA)

CIP Code: 230101

Program Description

The English major provides a balanced program of introductory and advanced work in British, American and Anglophone postcolonial literature, English language and linguistics, and writing. The program offers students the chance to engage in a major humanistic discipline, the study of literature, which is challenging and enriching in itself. The English major also provides sound professional training for those interested in middle school, high school or college teaching; the teaching of English as a second language; business or technical writing; or graduate work; and the program is an excellent background for students entering professional schools or planning business careers.

The concentration in English with an emphasis on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) provides a combination of advanced work in applied linguistics with training in current methods of language teaching.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Be skilled and adaptable writers in a variety of genres who can develop a thesis, sustain a coherent argument, use secondary sources, and employ appropriate disciplinary terminology.
Be critical readers of a wide range of texts who can interpret contemporary and non-contemporary readings, and understand context, nuance, and appropriate disciplinary terminology.

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Write effectively in a variety of genres.
Develop a thesis, sustain a coherent argument, use secondary sources, and employ the appropriate disciplinary terminology.
Read critically across a wide range of texts.
Interpret contemporary and non-contemporary readings.
Understand context, nuance, and the appropriate disciplinary terminology.

Honors Program

The honors program in English is designed to encourage and recognize superior academic accomplishments by English undergraduates. With the approval of the chair of the English department and the departmental honors advisor, students who meet the eligibility standards may enter the English honors program before the beginning of their senior year. Students may be admitted to the program on the recommendation of any member of the English department faculty, or students may petition to enter the program. Under the direction of a faculty tutor, students in the honors program will complete an honors project that culminates in their writing an honors thesis or project report. For further information on eligibility and enrollment, students should consult the departmental honors advisor.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

This program prepares students to be eligible to apply for a professional license to practice in the state of Ohio. Students planning to work in other states or countries should contact the relevant state licensing board in the state where you plan to work before beginning the program. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensure requirements. Academic programs and the program graduate must meet standards set by the licensing board in a state in order for the graduate to be eligible for a license in that state.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar: College of Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Students pursuing the Language Arts Education concentration must complete ED 2700 in Element D.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Students pursuing the Language Arts Education concentration must complete ED 2600 to meet requirements in this section.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course
Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses
One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Major Requirements: 33-44 Credit Hours

Student will select one of the three areas list below. Students must earn a grade of C or better in every English and education course.

English Concentration Requirements: 33 Credit Hours

ENG 3060 - Introduction to Literary Study Credit Hour(s): 3
One survey from two of the following categories, Credit Hour(s): 6
A)
ENG 3210 - British Texts: Medieval to 17th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3220 - British Texts: 1660 to Later 19th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3230 - British Texts: Mid-19th to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
B)
ENG 3310 - American Texts: Colonial -1890 Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3320 - American Texts: to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
C)
ENG 3400 - Studies in African Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3420 - Post-Colonial Texts Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3430 - Survey of Women and Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3440 - Black Literature and Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
Two 4000-level literature courses Credits/Units: 6
ENG 4200 - Studies in British Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4300 - Studies in American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4430 - Studies in Literature, Gender and Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4440 - Studies in Ethnic and Regional Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4450 - Studies in Literary Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4460 - Studies in Literary Genres and Themes Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4470 - Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
One course in Language or Rhetoric Credits/Units: 3
ENG 4710 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hour(s): 3
One capstone course or 3 credit hours in internships Credits/Units: 3
ENG 4110 - English Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4190 - Internship in English Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
ENG 4920 - Internship in Writing Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
ENG 4940 - TESOL Internship Credit Hour(s): 3 to 12

English Electives

Four courses at the 3000-4000 level. One must be at the 4000-level. Credit/Units: 12

ENG 3000 - Business Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3010 - Topics in Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3020 - Topics in Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3210 - British Texts: Medieval to 17th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3220 - British Texts: 1660 to Later 19th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3230 - British Texts: Mid-19th to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3310 - American Texts: Colonial -1890 Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3320 - American Texts: to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3400 - Studies in African Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3420 - Post-Colonial Texts Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3430 - Survey of Women and Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3440 - Black Literature and Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3540 - Multigenre Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3550 - Teaching Shakespeare through Performance and Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3610 - Technical Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3650 - Writing Nonfiction Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3820 - Introduction to Poetry Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3830 - Introduction to Fiction Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4020 - Topics in Advanced Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4190 - Internship in English Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
ENG 4200 - Studies in British Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4300 - Studies in American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4430 - Studies in Literature, Gender and Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4440 - Studies in Ethnic and Regional Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4450 - Studies in Literary Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4460 - Studies in Literary Genres and Themes Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4470 - Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4620 - Visual Design and Information Architecture Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4640 - Topics in Technical and Professional Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4650 - Professional Editing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4710 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4740 - TESOL Methods, Materials, and Assessment Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4750 - TESOL Grammar Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4770 - ESL in the Pre-K-12 Classroom Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4820 - Advanced Poetry Writing Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4830 - Advanced Fiction Writing Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4850 - Special Topics in Creative Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4910 - Directed Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4920 - Internship in Writing Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
ENG 4940 - TESOL Internship Credit Hour(s): 3 to 12
ENG 4980 - English Honors Tutorial Credit Hour(s): 1
ENG 4990 - English Honors Tutorial Credit Hour(s): 2

TESOL Concentration Requirements: 33 Credit Hours

ENG 3060 - Introduction to Literary Study Credit Hour(s): 3
One survey from two of the following categories, Credit Hour(s): 6
A)
ENG 3210 - British Texts: Medieval to 17th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3220 - British Texts: 1660 to Later 19th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3230 - British Texts: Mid-19th to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
B)
ENG 3310 - American Texts: Colonial -1890 Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3320 - American Texts: to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
C)
ENG 3400 - Studies in African Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3420 - Post-Colonial Texts Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3430 - Survey of Women and Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3440 - Black Literature and Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
Two 4000-level literature courses Credits/Units: 6
ENG 4200 - Studies in British Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4300 - Studies in American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4430 - Studies in Literature, Gender and Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4440 - Studies in Ethnic and Regional Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4450 - Studies in Literary Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4460 - Studies in Literary Genres and Themes Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4470 - Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
One course in Language Credits/Units: 3
ENG 4710 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hour(s): 3
Three credit hours in internship Credits/Units: 3
ENG 4940 - TESOL Internship Credit Hour(s): 3 to 12

TESOL Electives

TESOL concentration students are required to take the following four electives. Credit/Units: 12

ENG 4730 - TESOL Theory and Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4740 - TESOL Methods, Materials, and Assessment Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4750 - TESOL Grammar Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4770 - ESL in the Pre-K-12 Classroom Credit Hour(s): 3

Language Arts Education (LAE) Concentration: 44 Credit Hours

Students intending to become English language arts teachers in grades 7-12 should choose the Integrated Language Arts (ILA) concentration, which allows students to earn a bachelor of arts degree and teaching license at the undergraduate level. Students who have a passion for teaching middle and high schoolers the language arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and visually representing will find this program both challenging and rewarding. With its extensive coursework in the teaching of English, graduates find themselves eager to teach standards in creative and engaging ways to influence their students and the world through the transformative power of critical literacy.

Admission to the major requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7, which includes two English courses. In addition, candidates must also, separately, be accepted into and satisfy the requirements of the Adolescence to Young Adult: Integrated Language Arts (AYA: ILA) licensure program through a sequence of courses and field placements offered through the College of Health, Education, and Human Services alongside their English language arts education (ELA) degree. Upon completion of the academic content and professional teaching requirements, students are eligible to apply for licensure in AYA: Integrated Language from the Ohio Department of Education. Students who are not accepted into the licensure program may still complete the ELA degree without licensure.

ENG 3060 - Introduction to Literary Study Credit Hour(s): 3
One upper-level English elective from ENG 3000-ENG 4990 Credit Hour(s): 3
One British Literature Survey from
ENG 3210 - British Texts: Medieval to 17th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3220 - British Texts: 1660 to Later 19th Century Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3230 - British Texts: Mid-19th to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
One American Literature Survey from
ENG 3310 - American Texts: Colonial -1890 Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3320 - American Texts: to 21st Century Credit Hour(s): 3
One Non-Western Literature Survey from
ENG 3400 - Studies in African Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3420 - Post-Colonial Texts Credit Hour(s): 3
Two 4000-Level Literature Courses, One of the which Must Feature Works of Shakespeare, from
ENG 3550 - Teaching Shakespeare through Performance and Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4200 - Studies in British Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4300 - Studies in American Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4430 - Studies in Literature, Gender and Sexuality Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4440 - Studies in Ethnic and Regional Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4450 - Studies in Literary Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4460 - Studies in Literary Genres and Themes Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4470 - Studies in Post-Colonial Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
One Course in Linguistics
ENG 4710 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hour(s): 3
Integrated Language Arts Courses
ENG 3520 - Writing Pedagogy for Integrated Language Arts Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3530 - Young Adult Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3560 - Writing Workshop Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3570 - Reading Workshop Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 4560 - Integrated Language Arts Curriculum Capstone Credit Hour(s): 3

Related Requirements: 11 Credit Hours

ED 2650 - Early Field Experience I: Introduction to the Education Profession Credit Hour(s): 1
ED 2750 - Early Field Experience II: Introduction to Educational Psychology Credit Hour(s): 1
ED 2800 - Cultural Humility for Working with Youth Credit Hour(s): 3
Note: Studenst must apply for a field placement (ED2650, ED2750, and licensure year) through the Office of Partnerships and Field Experience (OPFE) by September 15 for a spring field placement, and January 15 for a fall field placement. See the Office of Partnerships and Field Experiences.
ED 3700 - Communication Arts for Educators Credit Hour(s): 3
EDS 2900 - Individuals with Exceptionalities Credit Hour(s): 3

III. College Requirements: 18 - 22 Credit hours

Foreign Language: 12-16 Credit Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one foreign language:

American Sign Language (ASL)*, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, or other foreign language.

*Note: all language classes above are 3 credit hours each, except for the ASL classes which are 4 credit hours each.

Methods of Inquiry: 3 Credit Hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3

Research Methods: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one course from the following list:

COM 3490 - Survey of Communication Research Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 4600 - Adolescent and Young Adult and Multi-Age Assessment and Measurement in Education Credit Hour(s): 3 Required for Language Arts Education concentration students
PLS 3100 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3400 - Sociological Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
SOC 3410 - Introduction to Research Methods Credit Hour(s): 3
WGS 3700 - Research Methods in Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. General Electives: 18-33 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

The number of General Electives by concentration is as follows:

General English concentration: 29-33 credit hours
TESOL concentration: 29-33 credit hours
LAE concentration: 18-22 credit hours

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and are subject to change. These guides are a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.