In support of the overall mission of Wheeling Jesuit University, the Department of English, Professional Communications and Fine Arts provides courses in composition, literature and communications, as well as advanced electives for both majors and non-majors. As an integral part of the liberal arts tradition embraced by the University, the department’s curricula develop students’ skills in effective reading, writing and speaking, and awaken students’ knowledge of the rich expressive and aesthetic potential of the English language.

The Department English, Professional Communications and Fine Arts offers major and minor programs in the following fields:

1. English
   
2. Professional Communications
   
3. Theater (minor only)

AP Placement Equivalencies
The department grants credit for AP scores of 3 or above with the following conditions:

Language & Composition: If the student with an AP score of 3 or above is placed into ENG 110 Composition Seminar (Advanced Composition placement) that student receives equivalency credit for the composition requirement of the core curriculum. If the student with an AP score of 3 or above is placed into ENG 105 Process of Composition, the student has two options: (1) the student may submit to the department contact person a portfolio of previous written work that displays the student’s writing abilities. Based upon the department’s assessment of the portfolio, the student may be awarded equivalency credit for the composition requirement of the core curriculum. If the student has submitted a portfolio that does not merit equivalency credit, the student will receive 3 elective credits but must still complete the composition requirement, or the student may take ENG 105 Process of Composition and receive 3 elective credits.

English Literature and Composition: The student who receives a score of 3 or above must sit for the department’s literary genre exam, given every October. If the student passes the exam, he or she receives equivalency credit for LIT 120 Literary Foundations: Methods & Genres, the first level of the literature core curriculum. If the student does not pass the exam, he or she receives 3 elective credits toward graduation but must still complete Literary Foundations.

Core Fulfilling Courses

Composition and Literature
Note: Core work in English is progressive; courses, therefore, must be taken in sequence, Composition Level first, then Level I and Level II of the Literature core. Students whose entering skill levels result in placement in ENG 095 (College Writing) and/or ENG/LIT 096 (College Reading) should enroll in those classes immediately. Each class is a prerequisite for further courses within the English core: ENG 095 must be completed prior to enrollment in ENG 105 (Process of Composition) and ENG/LIT 096 must be completed prior to enrollment in LIT 120 Literary Foundations: Methods & Genres.

   I.   Composition Level: ENG 105 Process of Composition,
         ENG 110 Composition Seminar

   II.  Literature Level I: LIT 120 Literary Foundations:
         Methods & Genres

   III. Literature Level II: LIT 250 Literary Explorations: 
         Conflicts & Culture

Fine Arts
The Fine Arts core curriculum program is built around three fine arts credits that a student must complete before graduation.

Requirements for English Major Bachelor of Arts Degree

In addition to completing the core curriculum requirements all
English majors must complete the following courses:

Required courses:
ENG 224   Professional Speaking  (3 crs)
LIT 321    Studies in Poetry   (3 crs)
LIT 322    Studies in Drama   (3 crs)
LIT 323    Studies in Fiction   (3 crs)
LIT 325    Applied Literary Theory  (3 crs)
LIT 386    Junior Literature Seminar  (3 crs)
LIT 486    Senior Literature Thesis  (2 crs)
PWR 135  Communicating in the 21st Century (3 crs)
PWR xxx  any other PWR elective  (3 crs)

English majors must also earn an additional 15 credits from literature electives above the 200 level, selected to fulfill the following criteria: 1 elective course from each of the following main areas: the period prior to the 18th Century; the 18th Century; the 19th Century; the 20th Century; 1 unrestricted elective.

Students will still retain a significant number of credits for elective course work beyond the core and the major requirements. Majors are encouraged to seek a cognate or minor field of study outside the area, chosen in preparation for career goals, graduate school, or further professional training. Some cognate areas include psychology, political science, women’s studies and professional communications.

N.B.: English majors who are also enrolled in the Teacher Preparation Program must begin major course work no later than the sophomore year in order to complete the major program and allow for student teaching in the senior year.

Requirements for English Minor

In addition to completion of the University’s core curriculum requirements in this discipline, a student must complete any 18 credits of course work in literature, to include ENG 220 Advanced Writing Techniques.

English

The English major is designed to introduce students to works of the British, American and World literary imaginations, to develop skills in analytical perception and to foster clear thinking and accurate communication of ideas. Students are thus prepared for a wide range of careers in private and public sectors as well as for further study in graduate school, law school or in other professional programs.

Upon completion of the literature major, students will be able to:

   1.   demonstrate accurate and effective reading, writing and critical thinking skills;

   2.   recognize and interpret metaphorical thought as well as an aesthetic use of language;

   3.   pursue a life-long passion for reading and the expressive arts

Theater Minor

For more information on the Theater Minor at Wheeling Jesuit University, click here. 

Professional Communications

The professional communications major is designed to meet the needs of students who hope to pursue careers in which writing, speaking and a knowledge of the emerging communications technologies are essential. It is appropriate for students who want to work in journalism, public relations, advertising, multimedia, marketing, law, teaching, advocacy, technical communication and other careers. The major concentrates on three tracks: print (public relations and journalism), audio/video (broadcast, corporate video) and new media (web authoring and multimedia).

Upon completion of the Professional Communications major, students will demonstrate the ability to:

  1.   Identify and apply effective communications
        strategies across a range of topics;

  2.   Make an effective oral presentation;

  3.   Demonstrate reasoned and defensible techniques for
        reaching personal decisions regarding practical
        media ethical issues.

Requirements for Professional Communications
Major Bachelor of Arts Degree

In addition to completing the core curriculum requirements, all professional communications majors must complete the following courses: