Oct 14, 2025

Fitchburg State University 2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

English Studies, Literature Concentration, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

English Studies Faculty

Chairperson
Kisha Tracy
Professors	Associate Professors	Assistant Professors
DeMisty Bellinger-Delfeld	Katharine Covino-Poutasse	Collin Syfert
Steven Edwards	Diego Ubiera
Lisa Gim	Wafa Unus
Michael Hoberman	Heather Urbanski
Wendy Keyser
Aruna Krishnamurthy
Frank Mabee
Irene Martyniuk
Benjamin Railton
Elisabet Takehana
Kisha Tracy

English Studies Program

Objectives for the Program in English Studies

Through a variety of specialized programs, English majors can obtain a bachelor of arts English-Literature, bachelor of arts English-Professional Writing, bachelor of arts English- Initial Licensure, and bachelor of science English-Literature, bachelor of science English-Professional Writing, bachelor of science English-Initial Licensure.

The English Studies program offers students a) knowledge of the broad field of literature in English, b) in-depth knowledge of its diverse aspects, c) the reading, writing, and research tools for exploring the field and its boundaries, and d) ample opportunity for hands-on experience in related fields.

Requirements for the Major in English Studies

ENGL 2999 provides an introduction to the discipline. All English majors must satisfactorily complete the course by the end of their sophomore year. Transfer students must take ENGL 2999 during their first year at the university, unless exempted by the department chair, based on evaluation of transfer course work. English majors in all concentrations must fulfill common core requirements, including the Senior Capstone. See individual tracks for specific requirements in addition to the above.

A course in speech fulfills the speaking and listening requirement, where applicable.

Core Courses for All English Studies Concentrations

All English Majors are required to take 21 credits from the following courses:

ENGL 2999 - Approaches to English Studies 3 Credit(s) (MAJ Literary Inquiry and Analysis)

Three Literature Surveys 9 cr.

One American Survey of Literature (select one)

ENGL 2000 - American Literature I: Legends/Massacres and Slavery/Freedom 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 2100 - American Literature II: Making and Remaking America 3 Credit(s)

One British Survey of Literature (select one)

ENGL 2200 - British Literature I: Adventure and Transformation 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 2210 - British Literature II: Revolution and Romance 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 2220 - British Literature III: Empire and Resistance 3 Credit(s)

Students must take a third Survey or substitute an equivalent period course in British or American literature as indicated below (select one):

ENGL 2000 - American Literature I: Legends/Massacres and Slavery/Freedom 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4200 - The Romantic Movement in U.S. Literature 1810–1860 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 2100 - American Literature II: Making and Remaking America 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 2650 - Ethnic American Literature 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3010 - American Drama 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3220 - American Novel to 1950 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 2200 - British Literature I: Adventure and Transformation 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3030 - Global Middle Ages 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3120 - Golden Age of English Renaissance Literature 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4010 - Chaucer and His World 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 2210 - British Literature II: Revolution and Romance 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4040 - Major English Writers of the 17th Century 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4050 - The Novel in the 18th Century 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4080 - British Romanticism 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 2220 - British Literature III: Empire and Resistance 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3020 - Modern Drama 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3040 - British Literature Since World War II 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4090 - The 19th-Century English Novel 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4100 - Victorian Literature 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 4115 - British Modernism 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 2400 - World Literature I: Myths and Traditions 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 2500 - World Literature II: Cultures in Conversation 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3000 - World Drama 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3100 - World Novel 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 2003 - Latin American Literature 3 Credit(s)

Students in the English with Licensure (5-12) should select from:

ENGL 2400 - World Literature I: Myths and Traditions 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 2500 - World Literature II: Cultures in Conversation 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3000 - World Drama 3 Credit(s) or
ENGL 3100 - World Novel 3 Credit(s)

One Upper Level Literature: 4000 Level 3 cr.

One Upper Level Writing Intensive 3 cr. (select one)

ENGL 3015 - Writing the Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3026 - Genres, Forms, and Themes in Creative Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3027 - Experimental Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3028 - Research for Creative Writers 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3045 - Media Conscious Storytelling 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3055 - The Structure and Nature of Language 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3510 - Fiction Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3520 - Poetry Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3540 - Writing Film Criticism 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3860 - Writing for Organizations 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3870 - Feature and Magazine Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 3890 - Creative Nonfiction Writing 3 Credit(s)
SPCH 3000 - Speech Writing 3 Credit(s)

Capstone 3 cr.

ENGL 4999 - English Capstone 3 Credit(s)

Student Learning Outcomes

Literature Concentration Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to closely read and interpret diverse texts.
Students will be able to exchange critical viewpoints about literary and cultural topics.
Students will be able to produce scholarly work that include critical readings and the use and citation of scholarly sources.
Students will demonstrate knowledge about the scope, genres, and historical and critical contexts of literature.

BA in English Studies—Literature

42 Credit Hours: 21 Core and 21 Literature Track

Second-year language proficiency is required.
This program also provides preparation for Initial Licensure for Teaching Secondary and Middle School 5-12 English.

Students in this concentration will fulfill core requirements as well as one course from the following categories mentioned below.

English Studies, Literature Concentration, B.A.

English Studies Faculty

English Studies Program

Objectives for the Program in English Studies

Requirements for the Major in English Studies

Core Courses for All English Studies Concentrations

Three Literature Surveys 9 cr.

One American Survey of Literature (select one)

One British Survey of Literature (select one)

Students must take a third Survey or substitute an equivalent period course in British or American literature as indicated below (select one):

Students in the English with Licensure (5-12) should select from:

One Upper Level Literature: 4000 Level 3 cr.

One Upper Level Writing Intensive 3 cr. (select one)

Capstone 3 cr.

Student Learning Outcomes

BA in English Studies—Literature

Culture Studies (select from) 3 cr.

Genre Study (select from) 3 cr.

Continental/Post-Colonial Literature (select from) 3 cr.

Literary Movement (select from) 3 cr.

Special Authors

Shakespeare (select from) 3 cr.

Junior/Senior Seminar 3 cr.