English Department

Danielle St. Hilaire, Ph.D. (Chairperson)

The mission of the Duquesne University Department of English and Theater Arts is to help students learn to think, read, and write critically and creatively; explore creative work in literature, theater, film, and the visual arts; understand and appreciate diverse voices in our cultural conversations; and communicate ethically and respectfully to a wide variety of audiences and in a wide variety of genres. As a discipline at the heart of a liberal arts model of scholarship and education, we are committed to teaching and research that value the whole person, that seek to make space for diverse perspectives and experiences, and that encourage inquiry that is guided by compassion and respect. The department cultivates an environment in which faculty and students come together to produce original scholarly and creative work. In creating this community, we seek to develop the skills, knowledge, and consciences of the next generation of leaders, and contribute to the personal and professional growth of all Duquesne students.

Core Values

As a department, we are committed to the following values in the study of literature, film, theater, and writing:

  • We value aesthetic appreciation and creation, seeking to cultivate and deepen our understandings of human imagination and cultures.
  • We value critical inquiry, writing, and analytical communication, written and oral, seeking to develop the capacity to ask and pursue questions, to generate new knowledge, perspectives, and ideas, and to read, write, and perform critically for audiences inside and outside the academy.
  • We value the ethical, compassionate pursuit of these endeavors, emphasizing the importance of literature, film, theater, and writing for understanding and enacting social justice and for enabling each of us to engage with multiple, diverse perspectives and experiences in order to foster dialogue across our differences.

The Department of English offers two majors, English and Theater Arts, as well as a minor in English, Theater Arts, Film Studies, and Creative Writing. Through opportunities for analysis, discussion and written composition in these fields, students develop clarity of thought, precision of expression, and informed critical judgment.  These opportunities provide excellent preparation for careers in secondary and university teaching, law, business and management, publishing, editing, technical writing, journalism, writing for media, public relations, library science, advertising, and many other areas of professional and creative endeavors.

Students who major in English choose a concentration in Literary Studies or Writing.  These concentrations offer a wide range of courses in English, American, and global literatures; creative writing and/or critical/professional writing; linguistics; and literary theory.

Students who major in Theater Arts study dramatic literature as well as acquire experience in acting, directing and the technical aspects of theatrical production.

Learning Outcomes

English B.A.

  • Develop a working command of the breadth of British, American, and Multi-ethnic literature, including both canonical and non-canonical writers and/or directors and a diversity of critical perspectives.

  • Develop the ability to read and think critically and creatively about texts, ideas, and their writing and/or film strategies.

  • Develop the ability to conduct scholarly research and present the results of that research in a form consistent with the requirements of the discipline.

  • Develop the ability and the confidence to write lucid and persuasive prose and/or creative work in a variety of modes and to a variety of audiences.

  • Learn the fundamental importance of literature, writing, and/or film and the creative imagination.

Cooperative Programs

The Department of English offers a variety of cooperative programs:

Double Degrees

  • The School of Law: Designed to allow qualified students to earn both an undergraduate degree in English and a law degree in six years rather than seven.

  • The Graduate School of Liberal Arts: Designed to allow qualified students to obtain a BA and MA in English at an accelerated pace.

  • The School of Education:  Designed to allow students to earn a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Education and initial certification in English in a total of 130 credits.

Cooperative Majors

  • English and Education: see above.

  • English and Theater Arts: Designed to allow students to complete a double major in English and Theater.  Under this program of study, students meet all requirements for a major in one of these disciplines, and complete a major in the other with a reduced number of credits.

  • English and Communication/Rhetorical Studies:  Designed to allow students to complete a double major emphasizing language and interpretation.  Under this program, students meet all requirements (36 credits) for a major in one of these disciplines, and complete a major in the other with 30 additional credits.

  • English and Philosophy: Designed to allow students to complete a double major emphasizing theoretical and analytical explorations of the written word.  Under this program, students meet all requirements (36 credits) for a major in one of these disciplines, and complete a major in the other with 24 additional credits.

  • English and Journalism, or Public Relations and Advertising, or Media Management and Production: Each of these double majors is designed to allow students to complete a double major emphasizing the role of the written word in both the literary and public spheres.  Under this program, students meet all requirements (36 credits) for a major in one of these disciplines, and complete a major in the other with 30 additional credits.

  • English and History:  Designed to allow students to complete a double major emphasizing the historical and cultural contexts of literary expression and production.  Under this program, students meet all requirements (36 credits) for a major in one of these disciplines, and complete a major in the other with 24 credits.

Interdisciplinary Minor and Certificate

  • Women’s and Gender Studies: Designed to allow students to complete a major in English (36 credits) and an interdisciplinary minor in Women’s and Gender studies (15 credits).  Up to one course may count toward both the English major and the Women’s and Gender Studies minor.

  • Business: Designed to allow students to complete a B.A. in English (36 credits) while at the same time earning a Certificate in Business (24 credits).

Prerequisites-- For all 200-level courses, students must have completed BRDG 101, Thinking and Analysis (or its equivalent).  BRDG 102, Writing and Literature (or its equivalent), may be taken concurrently with 200-level courses if a student receives a B or better in BRDG 101.  For all 300-level courses, students must have taken BRDG 101 and 102.  For all 400-level courses, students must have taken BRDG 101 and 102, and at least one English course at the 200 level.  Ideally, students also should take English 300 before enrolling in a 400-level course.  Individual courses numbered above 200 may require specific prerequisites; for more information, consult the Department.

Requirements for the English Major

Concentration in Literary Studies

Students enrolled in the Literary Studies concentration are afforded the opportunity to examine both canonical and non-canonical texts; to place works of a given literary period in relation to other periods, and in relation to the literature of other cultures; to explore the ever-changing and sometimes conflicting critical perspectives and conceptual categories that have defined literary understanding over time; and to consider the relations of literature to society, history and other forms of cultural expression.

Required: 36 credits
Core requirements:  9 credits (3 classes), including:

ENG 300W--Critical Issues in Literary Study

6 credit hours of 300-level English survey courses, one of which must be from an early period, and one from a late period.

Distribution requirements:  15 credit hours (5 classes) at the 400-level, that fulfill distribution requirements:

  • Early literature

  • Late literature

  • Diversity 

*400-level course may fulfill multiple distribution requirements.

Electives:  9-12 credit hours (3-4 classes) of English courses, with no more than two at the 100-level (BRDG 101 & 102 may not count as electives)

*A 400-level course may fulfill multiple distribution requirements.

Capstone: 0-3 Credits

Students must complete Engl 467: English Capstone in their senior year.

Concentration in Writing

The concentration in writing educates students within a broad practical and theoretical framework that combines courses in rhetoric, the history of writing, literature, and/or creative writing to help students develop as mature writers.  Workshops, seminars, internships, and other types of writing courses assure that students gain a thorough understanding of writing as a multifaceted and rigorous discipline of study.

Required: 36 credits
Core requirements:  9 credits (3 classes), including:

ENG 300W--Critical Issues in Literary Study

6 credit hours of 300-level English survey courses, one of which must be from an early period, and one from a late period.

Distribution requirements:  18 credit hours (6 classes) at the 400-level, including:
  • 9 credit hours of 300/400 Writing courses in at least TWO genres (Fiction, Poetry, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Critical or Professional Writing)
  • 3 credit hours of a 400-level Writing course (Creative, Critical, or Professional Writing)
  • 6 credit hours of a 400-level course (at least one of which must be in literature)
Electives:  6 credit hours (2 classes) (BRDG 101 & 102 may not count as electives)
Capstone: 0-3 credits

Students must complete Engl 467: English Capstone in their senior year.

Requirements for the Minor in English

The English minor requires 15 credit hours in English, including: ENGL 300W--Critical Issues in Literary Study; One 400-level literature course; Three elective English courses (9 hours), one of which can be at the 100-level.  BRDG 102 or HONR 102 can count towards the minor.

*English majors who are also seeking certification in Education must meet a slightly different set of requirements.  In addition to the requirements for all majors, these students must:

  • Take a course in World Literature beyond the 100 level (322W Global Literature Survey or a 400-level course recommended)
  • Take a course on the English language:  433 History and Structure of the English Language, or a course on grammar or linguistics, when offered
  • English-Education dual majors are strongly encouraged to take 317 Survey of British Literature I to fulfill one of their survey requirements

These additional requirements may be met partially by using electives, but may necessitate that Education students take one or two courses beyond the 36 hour minimum to complete the major.

** Under exceptional circumstances, and with the approval of the Department, a student may substitute one 400-level survey course for a 200-level core survey requirement.  In all cases, however, a student must take at least one course in American literature and one in British literature to satisfy the core requirements.

Minor in Film Studies

Students enrolled in the Film Studies minor are afforded the opportunity to examine classic, avant-garde, and popular films; to learn the major trends, schools and philosophies of film and film production; to explore theories of film production, viewing and circulation; and to consider the relations of film to society, history and other forms of cultural expression.

Required: 15 credits

  • 3 credits of ENGL 205-01, Introduction to Film

  • 12 credits of Film Studies electives

    • 3 of these 12 credits may be taken at Pittsburgh Filmmakers depending on availability
    • 3 of these 12 credits may be satisfied by a film class taken outside the English Department.  The English Department will determine whether film-oriented classes offered by other departments will count toward the Film Studies minor.

  • No more than one course may count for both the Film Minor and a student's Major.

  • English Majors may opt for the Film Minor, since English (literature and writing) and Film are distinct disciplines.

Minor in Creative Writing

 

Required: 15 credits

  • 6 credits of 300-level creative writing courses (Engl 101 can count towards this requirement)

  • 6 credits of 300/400-level creative writing courses

  • 3 credits of 400-level creative writing courses

No more than one course may count for both the Film Minor and a student's Major.

English and Theater Arts

Students can double-major in English and Theater Arts by fulfilling all the requirements of the English major and taking 27 Theater Arts credit hours.