Dear "Freshmen" and first-term sophomore advisees English majors (see also further below for advice to prospective majors),
Please reply by email to begin the advising process, and include a list of current coursework and a provisional schedule for next semester, along with any questions you may have. Advising begins 'formally' on Monday Oct. 19, 2009, in preparation for registration that begins 7 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 11 (for "sophomores" by credits, including fall 2009 enrolled credits, those with fewer than 26 total credits register on Thursday at 7pm). If you would like to meet with me, I can meet with you in Room 315 Idaho Commons. I advise freshmen English majors roughly A-G/H (dividing line there, so if your last name starts with "H" you may need to look online to learn whether I'm your advisor or Tom Drake is your advisor; Tom Drake (tdrake@uidaho.edu) advises those with last names H/I-Z (though I also am available to advise any English major who also is a member of the University Honors Program). PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING LONG MEMO OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE (directed primarily to new freshmen rather than continuing first-semester sophomores) carefully before we discuss your schedule. I look forward to talking with you about your plans, and about the major.
Dr. Stephan Flores (sflores@uidaho.edu) --- Please see these URLs for the registration information/advice: http://www.uidaho.edu/registration
English Major Requirements for those entering fall 2009-and also copied further below. Esp. for continuing majors, see update note below at end of this page.
Online UI Catalog (see esp. regulation J-3 as well as links for departments/majors in Part 5 and brief course descriptions in Part 6).
(Registrar's site, including time schedule, UI catalogs, advising information and links . . .)
UI Center for Academic Advising
http://www.students.uidaho.edu/ (important site for current and prospective students)
UI Core Curriculum Requirements
UI Core Coordinator's Site (includes adviser's guide and more)
AGAIN, TO: First-Year English Majors ("freshmen" not transfer students)
Dear Prospective "Freshmen" Advisees,
My name is Stephan Flores, and as you may know, Tom Drake and I advise all first-year English majors (and also first-semester sophomores). I want to offer some information and advice about planning your classes.
Before registration, you must discuss your proposed schedule with an academic advisor, and more generally, confer to explore your interests in English. Before you talk with me, it's helpful if you consult the current UI Catalog to review core curriculum requirements, to review curricular requirements in English, and to note B.A. requirements specified by the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (notably three credits in Social Science beyond the UI core, plus the foreign language requirement--15-16 credits in same language). You can view the catalog and the time schedule online at the Registrar's site. When considering classes, it's also useful to explore the homepage of the Department of English http://www.class.uidaho.edu/english/undergrad/ for more information about the department, faculty, and course offerings, see especially links to four-year curriculum plans for each emphasis in the English major.
Keep in mind that English 215 is the required 'gateway' introductory course required for all entering freshmen majoring in English.
English 215: Introduction to English Studies (3 cr): The gateway course for all English majors, focusing on goals of and opportunities opened by the various branches of English, the practice of close reading, critical terminology and issue central to English studies, and basic research and writing skills necessary for literary study.
English 257 and/or 258 (Literature of Western Civilization I and II) is required in all emphases: you should try to enroll in either class your first semester, along with English 101 or English 102 (depending on your placement or exemption from these classes, see Time Schedule--see also the advisor's resource page).
If you have not started a foreign language, or arranged to receive credit for a foreign language, you should discuss this with an advisor, especially since those who may be prepared to enroll in a foreign language class beyond the first semester, can hope to do well in the class and then petition (see Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures) to receive academic credit (that you must also pay for) for courses earlier in the sequence that they have bypassed (for example, if you complete Spanish 201, you could then seek credits for Spanish 101 and 102).
Remember that because of the foreign language requirement, English majors automatically fulfill the International Course requirement under the requirements for UI General Core Studies . The new UI Core also includes required course work in the following categories: Communication (English 102 plus 2-3 credits--see list of elective choices);Natural and Applied Sciences (7-8 crs); Mathematical, Computer and Statistical Sciences (3 crs). SEE/RECEIVE ADVISING CHECK SHEETS FROM THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT MAIN OFFICE BRINK 200 OR FROM ME--see also suggested four year curriculum plans/worksheets: http://www.class.uidaho.edu/english/undergrad/English_Four_%20Year_Curriculum.htm
In sum, your first semester classes, depending on your interests and various placement considerations, might look something like this:
Foreign Language (4-5 credits.)
English 101 or 102 (3crs.)--see placement information that you receive or Time Schedule
Math, Computer Science, or Statistics (3-4 crs.)--see Math placement information in Time Schedule (and some majors simply take Math 123) or via downloadable PDF file/guide OR integrated science (CORS) or lab core science, see below
Core Discovery sequence 100-level (4 crs; spring Core 150-level required as well; note that students can elect to take any second semester Core Discovery Core course, without having completed a Core 100-numbered course. Also, Core Discovery courses number 150 and above are open to sophomores as well as freshmen. See Core Advising Site
English 215 Intro to English Studies (3 crs.) and/or English 257 or 258 (Literature of Western Civilization "I" or "II")
OR
[could start these second semester]:Natural and Applied Science (4 crs.) but you are also encouraged to take/consider a new Integrated Science CORS 200-level course (3 crs.)
and you will be enrolled in CORE 100-level and 150-and above level (these interdisciplinary, topic-focused courses offer excellent opportunities to make good progress in the UI core curriculum in the humanities and social sciences).
So shoot for 15-18 credits, keeping in mind your sense of your abilities, academic experience, and study habits. You should try to average 16 or more credits each semester to make good progress toward your degree. Advice for second semester just follows from these basic requirements (note: English 310 is required in the Literature Emphasis, and can be completed during your second or third semester, or some students might try this during their first semester. Here's a course description from the new UI catalog: English 310: Literary Theory (3 cr): Current trends and issues in literary theory, with practice in the application of theory to literary to literary texts.
Emphases: Quick observations: Those interested in pursuing graduate study in literature or in earning secondary teaching certification pursue the emphasis in Literature or the Teaching Emphasis, or perhaps the Creative Writing emphasis; those interested in the most flexible preparation that can accomodate significant coursework in a related field (including a minor or perhaps another major), often choose the Professional Emphasis; for example, an English major with a Professional emphasis might take courses in computer science, business, communication studies, journalism, graphic or visual communication, digital imaging, political science, philosophy, foreign languages--virtually any major of interest. If you decide not to pursue a career in teaching or in graduate study in English, the Professional Emphasis may be attractive, though it also means that you may have less depth in English depending on number of courses completed. Many English majors are in the Creativing Writing Emphasis.Those who decide not to major in English might also consider a Writing Minor, English Minor, or Teaching English as a Second Language Minor as a productive supplement to your major studies. The emphases will be listed on your transcript, and it may be possible to coordinate matters so that if you fulfill the requirements for more than one emphasis, then two emphases, for example, may be noted on your transcript (this has not been determined/finalized).
Finally, take the opportunity when speaking with an advisor to introduce yourself--let us know about your interests in the UI, in English as a major, your tentative career possibilities if you have some in mind, and please ask questions.
Additional Note for Prospective Freshmen
If you are admitted to the university and visit campus on Vandal Friday (late March), it may be possible for you to preregister for fall classes ahead of everyone else!
If you have questions or need assistance, you may use the UI toll-free number, 1-888-884-3246, which will reach the campus operator who can connect you with any campus office. You may also call the Department of English at (208) 885-6156, or send an email message to your advisor.
GENERAL INFORMATION: Unlike most high school classes, all University of Idaho courses are only one semester long. Some courses are continuations of others which must be taken first. These courses which must be taken first are called prerequisites. For example, Math 143 must be taken (or by placement or credit received) before Math 170; for foreign language sequences, however, you might well be proficient enough to enroll in a higher level course, and therefore would bypass Spanish 101, for example, to enroll directly in Spanish 102 (or Span 201). Other departments offer sequences of courses which needn't be taken in any order. For example, History 101 and History 102 World History are essentially the same course, but cover different time periods (again, each is one semester long). Yet, History 101 is not a prerequisite for History 102. If you plan to take both, you may prefer to take 101 first, although that is not required. In some disciplines, introductory courses are offered at the 200 level--for example, English 257 and English 258 are designed to introduce freshmen to the literature of Western Civilization.
You will have a faculty member as an academic advisor, but ultimately you must take responsibility for your degree requirements and each semester's schedule. Most departments have a four or five-year plan for each major, or at least a check-off sheet of required courses. Ask your advisor for one of these if you have not already received one by the time you arrive on campus. Get to know your general university catalog very well. Always look ahead--know what courses have prerequisites and what those prerequisites are (especially important for upper division courses).
Guide to English Composition Placement
University Honors Program. Be sure to check out this site if you are admitted to the honors program or interested in learning more about it. For example, members of the honors progam should plan to enroll in at least one honors course their first semester (such as an honors CORE section), and should try to avoid taking non-honors sections of courses that are offered through the honors program (such as English 257 and 258, Psych 101, and so on).
Undergraduate Curricular Requirements [2009-2010 UI Catalog]
ENGLISH (B.A.)
Where specific courses are listed with the area requirements, the department may approve equivalencies.
Required course work includes the university requirements (see regulation J-3), the general requirements for the B.A. degree, and one of the following emphases:
A. Literature Emphasis [39 crs total]
Foundations:
Engl 215 Introduction to English Studies (3 cr)
Engl 310 Literary Theory (3 cr)
Literary History:
Engl 257 or 258 Literature of Western Civilization (3 cr)
Engl 345 Shakespeare or another course in literature before 1800 (3 cr)
Three courses from the following:
Engl 341 Survey of British Literature (3 cr)
Engl 342 Survey of British Literature (3 cr)
Engl 343 Survey of American Literature (3 cr)
Engl 344 Survey of American Literature (3 cr)
Linguistics:
Engl 441 Introduction to the Study of Language or Engl 496 History of the English Language (3 cr)
Cultural Diversity (One course in non-canonical or underrepresented literatures):
Engl 380 Introduction to U.S. Ethnic Literatures (3 cr)
Engl 480 Ethnic and Minority Literature (3 cr).
Engl 481 Women's Literature (3 cr).
Engl 483 African American Literature (3 cr).
Engl 484 American Indian Literature (3 cr).
Or an adviser-approved special topics or extra-departmental course (3 cr)
Electives:
Elective courses numbered 300 and above, 6 credits of which must be 400-level courses (9 cr)
Capstone (3 cr)
Engl 490 Senior Seminar (3 cr)
B. Creative Writing Emphasis [39 crs total]
Foundations:
Engl 215 Introduction to English Studies (3 cr)
Literary History:
Engl 257 or 258 Literature of Western Civilization (3 cr)
Engl 345 Shakespeare or another course in literature before 1800 (3 cr)
Two courses from the following:
Engl 341 Survey of British Literature (3 cr)
Engl 342 Survey of British Literature (3 cr)
Engl 343 Survey of American Literature (3 cr)
Engl 344 Survey of American Literature (3 cr)
Genre Craft/Workshop Courses (Students must take a full numerical sequence in their major genre (ex. 291/391/491), plus two additional creative writing courses in a sequence in one other genre for a minor genre.):
Engl 291 Creative Writing: Poetry (3 cr)
Engl 292 Creative Writing: Fiction (3 cr)
Engl 293 Creative Writing: Nonfiction (3 cr)
Engl 391 Intermediate Poetry Writing (3 cr)
Engl 392 Intermediate Fiction Writing (3 cr)
Engl 393 Intermediate Nonfiction Writing (3 cr)
Engl 491 Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry (3 cr)
Engl 492 Advanced Creative Writing: Fiction (3 cr)
Engl 493 Advanced Creative Writing: Nonfiction (3 cr)
Electives:
Two literature courses at the 400-level, one of which must be in modern or contemporary literature and one of which must be in non-canonical or under-represented literatures (a single course may fulfill both these subject requirements with adviser’s approval)
Capstone:
Engl 490 Senior Seminar (3 cr)
C. Professional Emphasis [39 crs total]
The professional emphasis is an individualized program for students wishing to stress preparation for professions such as law, writing and editing, government service, and business.
Foundations:
Engl 215 Introduction to English Studies (3 cr)
Literary History:
Engl 257 or 258 Literature of Western Civilization (3 cr)
Two courses from the following:
Engl 341 Survey of British Literature (3 cr)
Engl 342 Survey of British Literature (3 cr)
Engl 343 Survey of American Literature (3 cr)
Engl 344 Survey of American Literature (3 cr)
Writing:
Two courses from the following:
Engl 207 Persuasive Writing (3 cr)
Engl 208 Personal and Exploratory Writing (3 cr)
Engl 209 Inquiry-Based Writing (3 cr)
Engl 309 Advanced Prose Writing (3 cr)
One course from the following:
Engl 313 Business Writing (3 cr)
Engl 316 Environmental Writing (3 cr)
Engl 317 Technical Writing (3 cr)
Cultural Diversity (One course in non-canonical or underrepresented literatures):
Engl 380 Introduction to U.S. Ethnic Literatures (3 cr)
Engl 480 Ethnic and Minority Literature (3 cr).
Engl 481 Women's Literature (3 cr).
Engl 483 African American Literature (3 cr).
Engl 484 American Indian Literature (3 cr).
Or an adviser-approved special topics or extra-departmental course (3 cr)
English Electives:
Four Engl courses, of which two must be at the 400-level; one of these two 400-level courses must be a linguistics course.
Capstone:
Engl 440 Reading, Writing, and Rhetoric (3 cr)
D. Teaching Emphasis
Foundations:
Engl 215 Introduction to English Studies (3 cr)
Literary History:
Engl 257 or 258 Literature of Western Civilization (3 cr)
Engl 341 or 342 Survey of British Literature (3 cr)
Engl 343-344 Survey of American Literature (6 cr)
Engl 345 Shakespeare (3 cr)
Language:
Engl 201 English Grammar, Key Concepts and Terms (1 cr)
Engl 441 Intro to the Study of Language (3 cr)
Two linguistics courses from the following:
Engl 442 Introduction to English Syntax (3 cr)
Engl 443 Language Variation (3 cr)
Engl 496 History of the English Language (3 cr)
Writing:
Engl 309 Advanced Prose Writing (3 cr)
Engl 401 Writing Workshop for Teachers (3 cr)
One course from the following:
Engl 208 (s) Personal and Exploratory Writing (3 cr)
Engl 291 Creative Writing: Poetry (3 cr)
Engl 292 Creative Writing: Fiction (3 cr)
Engl 293 Creative Writing: Nonfiction (3 cr)
Upper-Level Literature:
Engl 445 Literature for Adolescents (3 cr)
400-level literature elective (3 cr)
Cultural Diversity (One course in non-canonical or underrepresented literatures):
Engl 380 Introduction to U.S. Ethnic Literatures (3 cr)
Engl 480 Ethnic and Minority Literature (3 cr).
Engl 481 Women's Literature (3 cr).
Engl 483 African American Literature (3 cr)
Engl 484 American Indian Literature (3 cr)
Or an adviser-approved special topics or extra-departmental course (3 cr)
400-level English elective (3 cr)
Capstone:
This requirement is fulfilled for Teaching Emphasis majors by EDCI 485, Internship.
TEACHER CERTIFICATION
CLASS English majors wishing secondary teaching certification must complete the appropriate English and education courses listed in the "Teaching Majors and Minors” in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction section of this catalog. Students should plan their programs with their English advisor; they should also see a College of Education advisor regarding certification requirements.
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Update note on transitions in curriculum for 2009:
Guidelines for English majors as we transition from our old to our new “Foundations” requirement
[Old (through 2008-09 catalogue). Creative Writing Emphasis: English 210; Literature Emphasis: English 175 and English 210: Professional and Teaching Emphases: English 175 or English 210.
New (starting with 2009-10 catalogue): All emphases: English 215; Lit Emphasis: English 310 in addition]
Background: For the last couple of years the English Department has been revising the curriculum, taking into consideration the views of faculty, of outside evaluators, and most all, of students we interviewed in our outcomes assessment process. These views have led us to develop a single “gateway” course for all majors that will be offered for the first time fall 2009:
English 215: Introduction to English Studies (3 cr): The gateway course for all English majors, focusing on goals of and opportunities opened by the various branches of English, the practice of close reading, critical terminology and issue central to English studies, and basic research and writing skills necessary for literary study.
This course has elements of English 175 and the old English 210, while bringing in other aspects of English studies students should find engaging and even useful.
We also developed another new course that will be required instead of English 175 for those in the Literature emphasis and will be open to all other students as an elective:
English 310: Literary Theory (3 cr): Current trends and issues in literary theory, with practice in the application of theory to literary to literary texts.
This course might be seen as an extension or reincarnation of our old 210; if you enjoyed that course, you might consider taking this one, even if you are not required to do so.
Students entering under the 2009-10 catalogue should abide by the new requirement(s); students transferring in will have to be considered on a case by case basis by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Continuing students:
Students who have already fulfilled their Foundations requirement(s) need not be concerned about the new requirements.
Students in the Creative Writing, Professional, and Teaching emphases who have not fulfilled their Foundations requirement should take English 215—this is being considered by the degree audit system as the equivalent of the now defunct English 210. Students in the Professional and Teaching emphases, however, could still choose to take English 175. (Students always have the right to graduate according the requirements in the catalogue they entered with.)
Students in the Literature emphasis who have taken neither English 175 nor 210 should take English 215 and 310. You could, however, choose to take English 175 and 215. Lit emphasis students who have take English 175 but not 210 should take English 215. Lit emphasis students who have taken 210 but not 175 should take 175.
There may be exceptions to the above guidelines. For example, a junior or senior English major who has taken advanced level courses but has not taken the Foundations course may find it more useful to take an upper division course such as 310 or 495 or a genre course. Substitutions can be worked out in consultation with the advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies
_________________________
There are a number of other changes that should interest you, such as another new course, “Studies in Literary Genres” (English 475), and many courses that have been re-titled to signal a broadening or deepening of focus. With the new catalog on line, give the English entries a look.