Department of English Languages and Cultures

Mission

The Department of English, Languages, and Cultures offers a multidisciplinary, student-centered approach to learning that enriches the whole person and the larger community. Through programs in writing, literature, and global languages and cultures, the department provides the strong foundation of a liberal arts education rooted in the Africana traditions. The department engages learners in a high level of scholarly and creative work, develops critical and creative thinking and communication skills, and fosters a desire for life-long learning, self-efficacy, and civic involvement.

Departmental Description

The Department of English, Languages, and Cultures includes the programs of First-Year Writing English Language and Literature, and World Languages. These programs provide a variety of course offerings in literature, writing, and World languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, and Spanish). The department offers courses leading to a baccalaureate degree (B.A.) in English Language and Literature; in addition, it contributes significantly to the interdisciplinary program of Africana Studies. A minor in English language and literature is available, as well as areas of concentration (15 credit hours) in French and Spanish. The department serves a crucial need of the University by offering courses to satisfy the core curriculum requirements in Area A-Essential Skills and Area C-Humanities/Fine Arts.

The department contributes to a liberal arts education through which students develop competence in communication skills, including reading, writing, speaking, listening, analysis, and critical thinking; become familiar with one or more world languages; explore the interdisciplinary approach in Africana Studies; and prepare for careers in a variety of areas requiring communication and critical thinking skills, or for graduate study in language and literature as well as pre-professional areas such as law, library science, medicine, and education.

First-Year Writing

Entering freshmen who meet the requirements of regular admission are placed in ENGL 1101 . Applicants who do not meet the requirements for regular admission may be placed in ENGL 1101 with a co-requisite ENGL 0999 .

As Area A “Essential Skills” requirements in the Core Curriculum, ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 require passing grades of “C” or higher. Completion of ENGL 1102 is a prerequisite for 2000-level literature courses.

Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination

Students who earned the grade of 3 or above on the Advanced Placement Test or 50 on the Freshman English CLEP may be exempted from ENGL 1101 with credit. Students who receive a 3 or above in French, Spanish, Arabic or Chinese on the Advanced Placement Test may be exempted from the first course in language (1001) with credit.

Students who have taken the International Baccalaureate examination or CLEP examination in Spanish or French and have had scores reported to Savannah State University should consult the appropriate test score credit policies to determine whether they should enroll the 1001, 1002, or 2001 level of the course.

English Language and Literature Major

Students majoring in English language and literature will complete at least thirty-nine semester hours in language, writing, and literature, beyond Area F requirements. English courses taken in the core curriculum Areas A, B, C, and F may not be counted as a part of the thirty-nine hours required for the major.

As sophomores, students should prepare to major in English by taking ENGL 2105 , which is a prerequisite to all literature courses on the 3000 or 4000 level. For English majors entering the program in fall 2019or later, other courses required in area F include survey courses in British, American, and African American literature designed for English majors (ENGL 2120 , ENGL 2130 , and ENGL 2220 ), and one language course on the intermediate level (2001). Other requirements are shown in the grid below. Students who started the program prior to fall 2019 should consult the appropriate catalog or their advisor for program requirements.

Academic Requirements

Senior English majors must take the departmental exit examination. Students enrolled in the English degree program will be assigned an academic advisor by the chair of the department. Students must be advised by their professional advisor and must consult with their faculty mentor prior to registering each semester.

Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisite courses prior to registering for an upper level course. Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all major courses and all courses listed under Area F.

Note: English majors may choose a formal minor in another area as listed in the SSU Catalog OR complete 15 hours of coursework of their choosing. At least nine (9) of those hours must be at the 3000 or 4000 level.