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Undergraduate Degree in English


The B.A. in English at Duquesne University provides an ideal way to acquire an outstanding education in the liberal arts. Literary study, composition, and research skills are the bedrock of academic and professional excellence. English majors develop a personalized course of study while concentrating in Literary Studies, Writing, or Film Studies.

Literary Studies

The Literary Studies concentration offers knowledge of English and American literature through a curriculum emphasizing the relationship between literature, culture, society, and ethical issues. MORE

Writing

The Writing concentration affords the opportunity to combine literary study with course work in composition. Writing workshops in poetry, fiction and drama enhance creative instincts, clarity, and precision. MORE

Film Studies

The Film Studies concentration offers knowledge of American and International film through a course of study combining historical, theoretical and technical approaches to the material. In addition, students take courses in film production at Pittsburgh Filmmakers where they have access to the most up to date techniques and equipment. MORE

Accelerated Master's Program

The Department of English invites undergraduate students at Duquesne to earn a Master of Arts degree in only four semesters.  MORE

 

If you are interested in learning English as a Second Language, please visit the ESL website.

 

Declaring Your Major

To declare an English or Theater major or minor, just follow these simple steps:

  1. Log in to DORI
  2. Go to "Index" (located in the upper right-hand corner)
  3. Go to "Liberal Arts" (listed under Schools in the sidebar on the far right)
  4. Go to "Bachelor's Programs"
  5. Fill out the "Major/Minor Declaration form" and proceed to confirmation

 

Mentor Program

When a student declares an English or Theater major, he/she is assigned a faculty mentor. An email is then sent to each student with contact information for the mentor. 

Students are required to meet with this mentor prior to registering for classes each semester.

Faculty mentors will help students in a variety of ways, including:

  • meeting each semester to determine which classes the student should take in order to meet requirements
  • advising the student throughout their English or Theater studies
  • discussing options for potential graduate study

Course Descriptions


The English-Education major

English majors who are pursuing a dual degree in English and Education must:

• Take a course dealing with the history of the English language: Survey of British Literature I OR History of the English Language

• Take a course in World Literature beyond the 100 level

• Take a course in grammar OR linguistics

Dual English-Education Majors Should Note:

These additional requirements may be met partially by using electives, but one or two courses beyond the thirty-hour minimum may be required to complete the English major.

The English minor

REQUIRED: 18 credit hours in English, including:

ENGL 300W: Critical Issues in Literary Study

One of the following English core curriculum courses:

ENGL 217W: Survey of British Literature I
ENGL 218W: Survey of British Literature II
ENGL 219W: Survey of American Literature I
ENGL 220W: Survey of American Literature II

One 400 level literature course

Three elective English courses at the 200 level or above

The Theater Arts major

The Theater Arts degree allows students to examine and experience the relationship between drama as literary artifact and drama as performance. Students are given technical instruction in the craft of presenting plays with particular emphasis on interpretation of drama and its place within culture. In addition to the intellectual abilities developed as in all liberal arts programs - flexibility of mind, clarity and precision in written and oral communication, and an ability to negotiate the often confusing world of human artifacts - students also benefit from work with the technical side of dramatic presentation.

Duquesne believes strongly in the liberal arts approach to studying Theater. This approach guarantees that students will have the broadest understanding of all aspects of Theater with a more intense knowledge of a specific field of study within the theatrical profession. Their education will prepare them for work in all areas of theater as well as a strong basis for further study at the graduate level. Skills learned through the pursuit of Theater are also strongly desired in the fields of Business, Marketing, Public Relations, Teaching and Law. MORE

The Theater Arts minor

CORE REQUIREMENT: 9 credit hours, including:

THEA 151: Introduction to Theater
THEA 210: History of Theater I (Ancient to Renaissance)
THEA 211: History of Theater II (Renaissance to Present)

LITERATURE COURSES:

6 credit hours selected from 300-400 level English Department courses that emphasize dramatic literature.


ELECTIVES: 6 credit hours, chosen from the following:

ENGL 203: Introduction to Drama

THEA 201: Acting I (2 credits)

THEA 301: Acting II (2 credits)

THEA 302: Acting III (2 credits)

THEA 303: Acting IV (2 credits)

THEA 305: Directing I

THEA 310: Technical Theater

THEA 405: Directing II

THEA 481/ENG 434W: Dramatic Criticism

ENGL 301W: Playwriting I

ENGL 400W: Playwriting II

THEA 496: Directed Studies (including practica in Theater Management, Technical Theater, and Performance

Dual Major Opportunities

The department offers special dual-major arrangements with the following programs:

English & Communications

English & History

English & Philosophy

English & Journalism

English & Media Management

English & Public Relations and Advertising

English & Education: Through a special dual degree program, students can obtain a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Education.

Accelerated Masters Program: Students with a 3.5 average can earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English in five years.

 

For more information on these programs, please visit the English Department (637 College Hall) to pick up a brochure.

Student Opportunities

The Department offers many student opportunities in both English and Theater Arts, including:

  • Lexicon Magazine
  • Medieval and Renaissance Players
  • Pittsburgh Filmmakers
  • Red Masquers
  • Scholarships
  • Sigma Tau Delta
  • Study Abroad
  • Yearbook
  • Internships

For more information, please visit our Student Opportunities page.