Language and Literature

The Language and Literature program offer a number of academic paths for intellectual discovery and future success in the fields of literature, language, rhetoric, and education. The faculty is committed to exploring the inextricable links that exist between language, literature and rhetoric in the contexts most relevant to students, and they work closely with their majors to offer courses that deliver a rigorous and purposeful learning experience. The program offers four majors for students to choose from, two with alternate concentrations:

• An English major with a choice of two concentrations:
  • Global Literatures
  • Rhetoric and Writing
• An English Secondary Education major for students preparing to teach grades 9-12
• A Spanish major with a choice of two concentrations:
  • Spanish Language, Literature and Civilization
  • Spanish for the Professions

• A Spanish Education major for students preparing to teach grades K-12

In addition, the program offers minors in English, writing, Spanish and Latino/Latin American Studies.

English

English, like every language, is more than a means of communication. It is both a way of thinking about the world and a world in itself, a place where the imagination and intellect combine to teach us about the most important subject of all: ourselves as human beings. The study of English in both majors of the program promotes study, reflection, and appreciation of language, literature, and rhetoric in this larger sense. How do the words, the thoughts, the persuasions, and the stories of our cultural heritage lend insight into what it means to be human?

Over the years, majoring in English has been a route to rewarding careers in business, publishing, education, law, and government. The reason for this success is simple: employers have come to realize that English majors have learned to be innovative, articulate critical thinkers. They also realize that as society continues to grow more technical and complex, key personnel will be needed to help people communicate with each other. As long as we depend upon language to make ourselves understood and to get things done, majoring in English will always be practical.

Majoring in English also leads to a wide variety of professional graduate programs. Master's and doctoral programs in English accept students who want to prepare for college teaching and research. Historically, law schools have drawn their students from both political science and English. MBA programs and medical schools have also begun turning to majors from the liberal arts, such as English, for students. The English major at Saint Xavier University is flexible enough to allow for the addition of those basic courses in business or science needed for admission into professional programs.

All English and English secondary education majors at Saint Xavier University begin their course of study by taking introductory coursework in literary and rhetorical theory and practice. This common set of core course provides students the opportunity either (1) to delay their choice of a major (English or English Secondary Education) or a concentration within the English major (Global Literatures or Rhetoric and Writing) or (2) to switch concentrations or majors at a later date without losing credit for introductory coursework.

Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, has a chapter on campus, Alpha Epsilon Xi. The chapter, moderated by a faculty member, sponsors literary activities and, by encouraging student participation in regional and national conferences, promotes literary research and creativity among its members.

Requirements for the English Major (36 credit hours)

All English majors must complete a common set of core requirements (15 hours). English majors must complete one of the English major concentration options: Global Literatures (21 hours) or Writing and Rhetoric (21 hours). All courses required for either major must be completed with grades of C or better. One three-hour literature course may count toward the University's General Education requirement in literature/fine arts. Some courses may meet other General Education requirements. No course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement within the majors.

Core Requirements for all English and English Education majors (15 hours)

• ENGL 207: Study of Literature (3)
• ENGL 208: Study of Rhetoric (3)
• ENGL 220: Advanced Writing (3)
• ENGL 340: Critical Theory (3)
• ENGL 395: Senior Seminar (3)

Specific Requirements for the Global Literatures Concentration (21 hours)

200-level Requirements (6 hours)

• One British or American Literature elective (or combination) (3)
• One World Literature elective (3)

300-level Requirements (15 hours)

• One British or American Literature elective (or combination) (3)
• One World Literature elective (3)
• Three electives at the 300-level that each fulfill one or two of the following distinctions: British, World, American, Rhetoric, Theory. (One class at the 200-level may be accepted) (9)

Specific Requirements for the Rhetoric and Writing Concentration (21 hours)

200-level Requirements (9 hours)

• One British, American or World Literature Elective (or combination) (3)
• ENGL 224: Professional Writing and Communication (3)
• ENGL 241: Introduction to Language and Linguistics (3)

300-level Requirements (12 hours)

• One Rhetoric or Literature Elective (3)
• ENGL 353: Writing and Editing Process (3)
• ENGL 352: Writing in Digital Environments (3)
• ENGL 359: Rhetoric, Writing, and Society (3)

Specific Requirements for the English Secondary Education Major (30 credit hours)

Please review the requirements in the Education Division section for English Secondary Education majors.

Senior Seminar

Requirements for the English Minor (18 credit hours)

All English minors must complete, with grades of C or above, ENGL 207: The Study of Literature (3 credit hours) and an additional 15 credit hours of ENGL courses numbered 200-399.

English minors should meet with the division director as soon as possible to plan their minor, which can include a concentration in some aspect of English studies, such as literary genres, American or British literature, a historical approach to literature, multicultural literature, cultural studies, or language.

Requirements for the Writing Minor (18 credit hours)

All writing minors must complete, with grades of C or above, ENGL 220: Advanced Writing (3 credit hours) and an additional 15 credit hours from the following list of electives, with no more than 6 credit hours coming from the Communication program. All courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

• COMM 103: Writing for the Mass Media
• COMM 110: Newswriting and Reporting
• SPAN 200: Advanced Grammar and Composition
• COMM 201: Copy Editing and Publication Design
• ENGL 210: Introduction to Creative Writing
• ENGL 224: Professional Writing and Communication
• ENGL 241: Introduction to Language and Linguistics
• COMM 244: Introduction to Public Relations
• COMM 305: Television and Film Scriptwriting
• COMM 307: Advertising Copywriting
• ENGL 352: Writing in Digital Environments
• ENGL 353: The Writing and Editing Process
• ENGL 356: The Teaching of Writing
• ENGL 358: Advanced Creative Writing
• ENGL 359: Creative Writing Workshop
• ENGL 357: Topics in Writing
• ENGL 365: Internship in Writing (1-3 credit hours)
• A 300-level course in any discipline identified as "writing intensive" by the director of the Writing Program

This list of electives may be updated as new courses are developed and submitted to the Language and Literature program for inclusion in the minor. Additional courses not listed here might be eligible to be applied to the minor at the discretion of the director of the writing program, so please contact them with questions.

Foreign Languages

The foreign languages program offers two majors in Spanish and a minor in Spanish, as well as specific courses geared to meet the needs of students in other programs. The foreign language curriculum covers the main areas of language -- language skills development, intercultural competence, literature, arts, history and civilization. All courses are open to qualified students seeking meaningful contact with another culture by acquiring skills in oral and written communication in the foreign language, by studying the literature, arts, history and civilization of another country, or through a cultural and linguistic comparative approach.

Current emphasis on the international dimension of the college experience makes foreign language study particularly relevant and useful because it not only helps students achieve a truly liberal education, but also enhances their preparation to function in today's world. Knowledge of a foreign language is an essential component of the international business program (see business), the international studies program (see history and political science), and the Middle Eastern Studies minor.

Graduates of Saint Xavier University find that the programs in foreign languages offer sound preparation for graduate and professional schools and for rewarding careers in fields such as teaching, business, government and community relations.

*All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted

Requirements for a Major in Spanish

Students wishing to major in Spanish at Saint Xavier University have two options, both of which begin at the 200-level:

Option I: Spanish Language, Literature and Civilization (33-36 credit hours)

This program is designed to provide a solid foundation in Spanish language, literature, arts, history and civilization. This option is intended primarily for those students who plan to continue their studies in Spanish in graduate school. Additionally, Option I focuses on the preparation of Spanish teachers according to NCATE/ACTFL and Illinois Content Standards for Educators.

Required Courses (12 credit hours)

• SPAN 200: Advanced Grammar and Composition
• SPAN 210: Advanced Spanish Conversation OR SPAN 211: Spanish for Speakers of Spanish
• SPAN 220: Interpretation of Texts
• SPAN 395: Senior Seminar

Spanish Electives (21-24 credit hours)

Choose 24 credit hours, 21 credit hours if studying Spanish abroad, from the following:

• SPAN 205: Language and Culture I
• SPAN 206: Language and Culture II
• SPAN 212: Spanish in the Workplace
• SPAN 217: Women in Mexican Culture
• SPAN 231: Introduction to Hispanic Culture and Civilization I
• SPAN 232: Introduction to Hispanic Culture and Civilization II
• SPAN 251: Individual Reading Program I
• SPAN 252: Individual Reading Program II
• SPAN 260: Special Topics
• SPAN 307: Golden Age Poetry
• SPAN 312: Literary Responses to Armed Conflicts in the Twentieth Century
• SPAN 313: Romanticism and Post Romanticism
• SPAN 314: Realism and the Turn of the Century
• SPAN 315: Imaginary Caribbean: Literature of Cuba and Puerto Rico
• SPAN 316: Latin American Responses to Colonization
• SPAN 317: Narrative and Spectacle of the Mexican Revolution
• SPAN 319: Cervantes' Don Quixote
• SPAN 334: Film and Literature
• SPAN 391: Selected Topics in Hispanic Literatures and/or Civilizations I (1-3 credit hours)
• SPAN 392: Selected Topics in Hispanic Literatures and/or Civilizations II (1-3 credit hours)

12 credit hours (out of the 21-24 credit hours for Spanish electives) need to be from courses in the 300-level.

A maximum of two courses from other programs might be approved to fulfill the culture and civilization section of the major. Examples for this section include any Latino Studies courses; Art 222: Art of the Renaissance through the Enlightenment; Art 244: Latin American Cinema; Political Science 225: Latin American Politics; History 234: History of Colonial Latin America; History 240: History of Latin America; History 247: History of Mexico; Sociology 250: Modern Latin America; Religious Studies 247: The Jewish Tradition; Religious Studies 249: The Islamic Tradition; and Anthropology 250: Modern Latin America.

Option II: Spanish in the Professions (42-45 credit hours)

This option is intended primarily for those students who plan to make use of the Spanish language in a professional environment other than teaching or academia.

Required Courses (12 credit hours)

• SPAN 200: Advanced Grammar and Composition
• SPAN 210: Advanced Spanish Conversation OR SPAN 211: Spanish for Speakers of Spanish
• SPAN 212: Spanish in the Workplace
• SPAN 300: Field Work

Spanish Electives (10-12 credit hours)

Choose 12 credit hours, 10 credit hours if studying Spanish abroad, from the following:

• SPAN 205: Language and Culture I
• SPAN 206: Language and Culture II
• SPAN 212: Spanish in the Workplace
• SPAN 217: Women in Mexican Culture
• SPAN 231: Introduction to Hispanic Culture and Civilization I
• SPAN 232: Introduction to Hispanic Culture and Civilization II
• SPAN 251: Individual Reading Program I
• SPAN 252: Individual Reading Program II
• SPAN 260: Special Topics
• SPAN 307: Golden Age Poetry
• SPAN 312: Literary Responses to Armed Conflicts in the Twentieth Century
• SPAN 313: Romanticism and Post Romanticism
• SPAN 314: Realism and the Turn of the Century
• SPAN 315: Imaginary Caribbean: Literature of Cuba and Puerto Rico
• SPAN 316: Latin American Responses to Colonization
• SPAN 317: Narrative and Spectacle of the Mexican Revolution
• SPAN 319: Cervantes' Don Quixote
• SPAN 334: Film and Literature
• SPAN 391: Selected Topics in Hispanic Literatures and/or Civilizations I (1-3 credit hours)
• SPAN 392: Selected Topics in Hispanic Literatures and/or Civilizations II (1-3 credit hours)

A maximum of two courses from other programs might be approved to fulfill the culture and civilization section of the major. Examples for this section include any Latino Studies courses; Art 222: Art of the Renaissance through the Enlightenment; Art 244: Latin American Cinema; Political Science 225: Latin American Politics; History 234: History of Colonial Latin America; History 240: History of Latin America; History 247: History of Mexico; Sociology 250: Modern Latin America; Religious Studies 247: The Jewish Tradition; Religious Studies 249: The Islamic Tradition; and Anthropology 250: Modern Latin America.

Other Discipline (21 credit hours)

Twenty-one required hours in another area related to the career objectives of each student. Courses can be double-counted as part of another major. These courses are determined on an individual basis by consultation with program faculty before completion of the major. Suggested areas of complimentary study: Business, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, Communication, Psychology, International Studies.

Spanish Education Program

Please review the requirements in the Education Division section for Spanish Education majors.

Minor in Spanish (18 credit hours)

Completion, with the grade of C or above, of 18 credit hours in Spanish beginning at the intermediate level I (SPAN 103).

Required courses in order to receive a minor in Spanish:

• SPAN 103: Intermediate Spanish I*
• SPAN 104: Intermediate Spanish II*
• SPAN 200: Advanced Grammar and Composition
• SPAN 210: Advanced Spanish Conversation OR SPAN 211: Spanish for Spanish Speakers
• One elective 200 level course**
• One elective 300 level course

*Retroactive credit from AP, CLEP, Seal of Biliteracy, or IB tests can be applied to these courses. Please, contact Dr. Espiña-Barros espinabarros@sxu.edu for further details about SXU Spanish Placement and Spanish retroactive credit policy at SXU.

**3 credit hours of a related course taught in English can be counted as one elective course. Examples for this section include any Latino Studies courses; ART 222: Art of the Renaissance through the Enlightenment; ART 244: Latin American Cinema; POLSC 225: Latin American Politics; HIST 234: History of Colonial Latin America; HIST 240: History of Latin America; HIST 247: History of Mexico; SOC 250: Modern Latin America; RELST 247: The Jewish Tradition; RELST 249: The Islamic Tradition; and ANTH 250: Modern Latin America; or other after program director's approval.