DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Undergraduate Department of English
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Website: https://english.fsu.edu
Chair: Andrew Epstein; Robert O. Lawton Professors: S. E. Gontarski, David Kirby, Maxine Montgomery, Gary Taylor; Krafft Professors: Robert Olen Butler; Janet Burroway Professor: Mark Winegardner; George Mills Harper Professor: Judith Pascoe; Frances Cushing Ervin Professor: Aaron Jaffe; Caldwell Professor: Andrew Epstein; University Alumni Distinguished Writer and Professor: Diane Roberts; Professors: Terri Bourus, Celia Caputi, Leigh Edwards, Barry Faulk, Jamie Fumo, Robin Goodman, Jimmy Kimbrell, Christopher Okonkwo, Elizabeth Stuckey-French, Virgil Suarez, Candace Ward; Timothy Gannon Associate Professors: Alisha Gaines, Lindsey Eckert; Associate Professors: Elias Dominguez Barajas, Tarez Graban, Skip Horack, Meegan Kennedy, John Mac Kilgore, Rhea Lathan, Pablo Maurette, Michael Neal, Christina Parker-Flynn, Robert Stilling, Cy Weise; Assistant Professors: Mais Al-Khateeb, Rebecca McWilliams Ojala Ballard, Ronisha Browdy, Ravi Howard, Trinyan Mariano, Alison Sperling, L. Lamar Wilson; Distinguished University Scholar and Senior Lecturers: Barbara Hamby; Associate Lecturers: Russ Franklin, Molly Hand, Perry Howell; Teaching Faculty: Kamila Albert, Christie Daniels; Professors Emeriti: Ralph Berry, Bruce Bickley, Bruce Boehrer, Helen Burke, Janet Burroway, A. E. B. Coldiron, Eugene Crook, John Fenstermaker, Kristie Fleckenstein, David Gants, Joann Gardner, David Johnson, W. T. Lhamon, Joseph McElrath, Jerrilyn McGregory, Jim O'Rourke, Sheila Ortiz-Taylor, Anne Rowe, Eric Walker, Kathleen Yancey
The Department of English offers students a curriculum that is central to the modern liberal arts education. One of the largest degree programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, the undergraduate major in English allows students to emphasize literature, media, and culture; creative writing; or editing, writing, and media. Students may also pursue other specialized programs such as honors in the major or Directed Independent Studies. In addition to its primary benefits to intellectual growth, the English major also offers practical preparation for professional careers in teaching, professional writing, law, business, religious affairs, and all levels of government service: local, state, and federal.
The study of literature, media, and culture includes not only contemporary texts but also all the historical periods of British, American, and other national and transnational literatures. In addition to familiar period or major-authors courses such as the Victorian novel or Chaucer, students will also find courses in related subjects such as linguistics, popular culture, gender studies, multiethnic literature, folklore, postcolonial literature, modern European fiction, and literary theory. Courses will endeavor as well to broaden students' conceptualization of the close relationship between literary texts as cultural artifacts to include other forms of writing and media.
The study of creative writing allows students to work not only in the familiar genres of poetry, fiction, drama, and the essay, but also to study related subjects such as rhetoric and composition theory. Students may also study the editorial and publishing process and take up internships in editing and publishing in a variety of settings.
The study of editing, writing, and media engages students in the history, theories, and practices of textual formation. It provides writing-intensive courses focusing on the practical aspects of new media and print composition. Students also study the history of textuality as well as hands-on courses in visual rhetoric, editing, and publishing.
The English honors program, traditionally amongst the largest in the University, invites the very best students to supplement regular major work with specialized seminars and independent thesis work.
A variety of activities and facilities are available to all majors. Two literary magazines, Kudzu Review and The Southeast Review, are published in the department. Many students gain journalistic experience by writing for the independent campus newspaper, the FSView & Florida Flambeau. The department sponsors a year-long visiting writers series that brings twelve to fourteen writers and scholars to campus each year. The English department, in conjunction with the campus-wide Opening Nights arts program, also promotes headline writers, such as John Updike, Amy Tan, Colson Whitehead, and Jesmyn Ward. There are two computer classrooms that house computer-assisted writing instruction, and seminar rooms that are equipped with smartboards. The English Department also hosts the Reading-Writing Center, an inclusive resource for FSU students of all majors, programs, and backgrounds, as well as the Digital Studio, which facilitates the development of digital project content and design. All majors with a GPA above 3.0 are eligible to apply for membership in Sigma Tau Delta, the local chapter of a national literary honor society, which sponsors a variety of social events and career programs.
The department annually recognizes outstanding achievement with the following awards and honors: the Fred L. Standley Award for Undergraduate Excellence in English, the George Harper Award for Outstanding Essay Writing, the Betty Corry Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Creative Writing, the Cody Harris Allen Undergraduate Writing Award, the John MacKay Shaw Academy of American Poets Award, the George Yost Essay Award, and the Mart P. and Louis Hill English Honors Thesis Award.
Digital Literacy Requirement
Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:
Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically
Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement. Undergraduate majors in English satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CGS 2060, CGS 2100, CGS 2518, or EME 2040.
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites for English
The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/1006.73.
FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in English. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit: https://cpm.flvc.org/programs/331/275.
Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.
College Requirements
Please review all college-wide degree requirements summarized on the “Undergraduate Review” page of the College of Arts & Sciences chapter.
Prerequisites for the Major
To satisfy prerequisites for the English major, students must accomplish the following:
Completion of at least 52 hours of acceptable college credit with an overall GPA of at least 2.0
Satisfactory completion (“C–” or better) of all courses necessary for the writing requirement (State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.030).
Requirements for a Major in English
General Requirements: Thirty-six credit hours of English in courses at the 2000 level and above. At least 21 credit hours must be in courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels, including at least nine credit hours at the 4000 level. Honors thesis hours may be applied toward the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, but only three credit hours will be accepted for major credit. One English course used to satisfy the humanities requirement for CoreFSU Curriculum may be counted as part of the major. All courses counted toward the major must carry the grade of “C–” or better. A minor in another department is also required; all courses counted toward the minor also must carry the grade of “C–” or better.
Each student will choose one of the following areas:
Concentration in Literature, Media, and Culture
Twelve credit hours in four core courses: ENG 2012 Introduction to English Studies; LIT 3112 History I; LIT 3124 History II; and ENG 3014 Understanding Theory and Criticism (must be taken before student reaches 90 credit hours)
Twelve credit hours of Distribution Electives: Six hours of Diversity courses; three hours of pre-1800 courses; and three hours of Understanding Genres
Electives: Nine credit hours in other English courses at the 2000 level and above
Capstone: Three credit hours in ENG 4934 Senior Seminar Capstone in English. At least 90 completed credit hours are required to register for ENG 4934.
Concentration in Creative Writing
Twelve credit hours in four core Writing Courses: ENG 2012 Introduction to English Studies; ENC 3310 Article and Essay Technique; CRW 3110 Fiction Technique; CRW 3311 Poetic Technique
Advanced Writing Workshops: Six hours of Advanced Writing Workshops, any combination of two (six hours) required. ENC 4311 Advanced Article and Essay Workshop; CRW 4120 Advanced Fiction Workshop; CRW 4320 Advanced Poetry Workshop. Advanced workshops are repeatable for up to nine credit hours.
Literature Courses: Nine credit hours of literature in English, of which at least three credit hours shall be in literature before 1900 at the 3000 or 4000 level
Electives: Three credit hours in other English courses at the 2000 level and above
Capstone: ENG 4934 Senior Seminar Capstone in English. At least 90 completed hours are required to register for ENG 4934.
Concentration in Editing, Writing, and Media
Twelve credit hours in four core courses: ENG 2012 Introduction to English Studies; ENC 3021 Rhetoric; ENC 3416 Writing and Editing in Print and Online; ENG 3803 History of Text Technologies
Six credit hours of advanced courses:
ENC 4212: Editing: Manuscripts, Documents, Reports
ENC 4218: Visual Rhetoric
ENC 4404: Advanced Writing and Editing
ENG 3804: History of Illustrated Texts
ENG 4020: Rhetorical Theory and Practice
ENG 4615: Media: Innovation, Theory, and Practice
ENG 4834: Issues in Publishing
Three hours Internship in Editing (ENC 4942).
Twelve credit hours of completed core courses are required to apply and register for ENC 4942.
Twelve hours English electives, at the 3000 or 4000 level
Capstone: ENG4934 Senior Seminar Capstone in English. At least 90 completed credit hours are required to register for ENG4934.
Transient Students
Students may take a maximum of three courses (maximum of nine credit hours) in the major at another institution, excluding foreign language. Applicable to electives only.
Honors in the Major
The Department of English offers honors in the major to encourage talented students to undertake independent research through a special Honors seminar and two terms of thesis work. For requirements and other information, see the "Discipline-Specific Honor Societies" tab of the Honors section and the Director of Undergraduate Studies in English. Contact English-Advising@fsu.edu.
Requirements for a Minor in English
At least 12 credit hours in English courses numbered above 1999. Students must have at least a “C–” average in the minor.