Why study English at MC?

The English major emphasizes the study of linguistics, the various schools of literary criticism, and a broad range of literature, studied in its aesthetic, historical, cultural, political, and philosophical contexts. In all classes, students will read with discernment and will analyze and interpret literary form, structure, and style in various genres of writing. Students in this major are able to conduct independent research, orally articulate their ideas with confidence, and write with clarity, conciseness, appropriate organization and a level of usage and style suitable for an intended audience.

The Major in English is recommended for a variety of careers. The skills emphasized in organized thinking, writing, and research prepare the student not only for teaching and for the many branches of editing and publishing but also for other professions such as law, librarianship, and the ministry. These same skills are in demand in business and industry, where leadership positions go to those who can think logically and express themselves clearly.

ON CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES

Student staff members of The Highland Echo publish a 10-page campus newspaper every other week during the semester. Impressions, an annual publication and bimonthly online literary magazine, features artwork, creative writing and poetry submitted by MC students. Sigma Tau Delta, a national English honor society, publishes two literary journals of student work and holds an annual convention at which students may present academic work and creative writing.

Photo of Jenna Blair

Jenna Blair

Hometown: Bean Station, Tennessee

With a deep-rooted passion for literature and reading, majoring in English at MC just seemed like a natural choice for Jenna, she said.

“Reading started out as my escape when I was younger, and through my education at Maryville College, that still remains true, but I’ve also started developing the skills to critically think about what I’m reading, and how the messages in texts apply to me and the broader world,” she said.

As an English major on track for teacher licensure, she plans to teach English at the secondary level after graduating in 2024, and she looks to her own education as the inspiration she hopes to instill in others, she added.

“I’m grateful for my time thus far at Maryville College, and for my professors, who consistently challenge me to put my best foot forward and remind me that I’m on the right path,” she said. “I look forward to all of the opportunities I’ll be exposed to in the coming years.”

 

Photo of Martina Junod

Martina Junod ’21

Currently: English Teacher, Vine Middle Magnet School in Knoxville, Tennessee

In addition to student teaching, Martina worked in local educational tutoring programs, such as Friends in Blount County and Rockford Freedom Schools. “Teaching asks for a balance between patience and grit,” she said. “Detailed planning but simultaneously expecting everything to flip upside-down is a key skill for me in the classroom. Prioritize your students and have confidence in your creativity – that brings success.”

She credits MC’s faculty and the Career Center for helping her find meaningful teaching opportunities. “My mentors at MC built my confidence when it felt like the world doubted my abilities,” she said. “They taught me how to craft unshakable lesson plans.”

Chair, Division of Languages & Literature, Professor of English, Ralph S. Collins Professor in the Humanities
Dr. Sam Overstreet
Chair, Division of Languages & Literature, Professor of English, Ralph S. Collins Professor in the Humanities
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Associate Professor of English
Dr. Will Phillips
Associate Professor of English
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Assistant Professor in Writing Communication
Christina Seymour
Assistant Professor in Writing Communication
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Assistant Professor of English
Scott Steele
Assistant Professor of English
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Senior Lecturer in Composition
Jan Taylor
Senior Lecturer in Composition
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Visiting Lecturer in English
Dr. Shannon Heath
Visiting Lecturer in English
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Visiting Lecturer in English
MaryLeith Turner
Visiting Lecturer in English
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Adjunct Instructor of English
Dr. Kristi Casey
Adjunct Instructor of English
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Adjunct Instructor of English
Dr. Molly Granatino
Adjunct Instructor of English
Adjunct Instructor of English, History, Italian & Latin
Ted Higgs
Adjunct Instructor of English, History, Italian & Latin
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Adjunct Instructor of English
Charles Neaves
Adjunct Instructor of English
Adjunct Instructor of English
Stephanie Walls
Adjunct Instructor of English

This major is a gateway for several possible careers. Graduate study in law, literature, linguistics, and forensic linguistics clearly prepare students for the professional careers. Other popular career paths are in publishing and editing, library science, and teaching, both at the high school and college level. Jobs in the communication industry are also popular first steps in a career ladder.

Graduate School Placements

Emory University, English
University of Chicago Divinity School
University of Kentucky, Linguistics
Florida State University, Law
Georgetown University, Communications
Mercer University, Law
Pennsylvania State University, Education
SUNY Albany, English
Union Theological Seminary, Systematic Theology
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Folkloristics
University of Tennessee Knoxville, Clinical Counseling, Creative Writing, English
Education, Library and Information Sciences, Social Work
University of West Florida, Earth Science
Vanderbilt, Education

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following:

Knowledge

  • Familiarity with major authors and works from all the major periods of Western literature
  • Knowledge of Western literary history and the continuity of its traditions
  • Knowledge of various schools of literary criticism
  • Knowledge of literary terminology
  • Knowledge of the history of the English language and of basic linguistic principles
  • Awareness of literary style and its development in various periods

 Skills

  • Ability to read with discernment—to analyze and interpret form, structure, and style in expository writing and in various genres of literature
  • Ability to write with clarity, conciseness, appropriate organization, and a level of usage and style suitable for the intended audience
  • Ability to carry on independent research, using both paper and electronic sources
  • Ability to show confident and articulate oral expression and to listen with discernment

The English Major requires a minimum of 53 hours, including 48 hours in English and 5 hours in related fields. Transfer students bringing 45 or more credit hours in transfer are exempted from HUM 299, with the result that the major requirement is reduced to 52 hours.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

 

HUM 299: Issues in Professional Development(1 hrs)
HUM 347: Research in the Humanities(1 hrs)
ENG 201: Advanced Literary Interpretation(3 hrs)
ENG 311: History of the English Language(3 hrs)
ENG 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
ENG 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)

A Foundational Literature Survey–4 required courses (12 hrs.):

ENG 191: American Literature: Puritan through Romantic(3 hrs)
ENG 292: American Literature: Realism to the Present(3 hrs)
ENG 196: Survey of British Literature I(3 hrs)
ENG 297: Survey of British Literature II(3 hrs)

An Additional Literature Survey Course (3 hrs.):

ENG 160: The Early Western Literary Tradition(3 hrs)
ENG 170: The Modern Western Literary Tradition(3 hrs)
ENG 180: Literature and the American Experience(3 hrs)
ENG 181: Women's and Multicultural Literature(3 hrs)
ENG 182: Literature and the Classical Tradition(3 hrs)

Four additional English courses above the 100 level (12 hrs.)

May include a maximum of two courses (6 hrs.) in creative writing or professional writing.

May include ENG 337: Internship (3 hrs.)

Three other literature courses taken at the 300 level or higher (9 hrs.)

One related course chosen from the following list (3 hrs.):

HIS 131: Early American History: 1492-1865(3 hrs)
HIS 132: Modern American History: 1865-Present(3 hrs)
PHL 205: Early Modern Philosophy from 16th to the 18th Century(3 hrs)
PHL 206: Enlightenment & Late Modern Philosophy 18th-20th Century(3 hrs)
PHL 207: Contemporary Philosophy(3 hrs)

The English Minor requires the completion of 15 hours of English. On the basis of the student's particular interest, courses may be chosen from the following:

Required courses may include:

Minor and Minor-Related Courses

A maximum of one core-eligible literature course (3 hrs.) numbered below ENG 190 may be counted toward the minor (ENG 160, ENG 180, ENG 181, or ENG 182).

Literature or literary interpretation courses
ENG 213: Creative Writing: Poetry(3 hrs)
ENG 214: Creative Writing: Fiction(3 hrs)
ENG 219: Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar(3 hrs)
ENG 313: Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry(3 hrs)
ENG 316: Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction(3 hrs)
HIS 248: Appalachian Cultural and Social History(3 hrs)

 

The Major in English for Teacher Licensure is designed for students planning careers as teachers of English and related disciplines at the secondary level. It requires 36 hours in English and related courses and 42 hours in educator preparation courses.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

Note: No more than one core-eligible literature course (3 hrs.) numbered below ENG 190 may be counted toward the major (ENG 160, ENG 170, ENG 180, ENG 181, or ENG 182).

ENG 201: Advanced Literary Interpretation(3 hrs)
ENG 211: Young Adult Literature(3 hrs)
ENG 219: Advanced Rhetoric and Grammar(3 hrs)
ENG 191: American Literature: Puritan through Romantic(3 hrs)
ENG 292: American Literature: Realism to the Present(3 hrs)
ENG 196: Survey of British Literature I(3 hrs)
ENG 297: Survey of British Literature II(3 hrs)
ENG 311: History of the English Language(3 hrs)
ENG 312: Linguistic Theory and Second Language Acquisition(3 hrs)
ENG 332: Shakespeare(3 hrs)
One additional 300-level literature course
One additional course in literature, creative writing, or journalism

Educator Preparation Courses

PSY 101: Introductory Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 218: Adolescent Development(3 hrs)
EDU 202: Educational Technology(3 hrs)
EDU 299: Contemporary and Professional Issues in Education(1 hrs)
EDU 300: Field Experience(1 hrs)
EDU 301: Models of Classroom Management & Instruction(3 hrs)
EDU 312: Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners(3 hrs)
EDU 321: Disciplinary Literacy Methods(3 hrs)
EDU 333: Applied Pedagogy(3 hrs)
EDU 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
EDU 352: Senior Study II: Professional Seminar(3 hrs)
EDU 403: Clinical Practice for PK12/Secondary (10)(10 hrs)
EDU 411: Educational Assessment & Evaluation(3 hrs)

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

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