Chaminade University of Honolulu

School of Humanities, Arts and Design

English

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B.A. English

English majors come with all sorts of passions: Passions for reading, for writing, for copy editing, for literary analysis, for teaching. But they all share one thing: A love of a language as beautiful and multifaceted and alive as it is challenging to master.

Our English major stresses creativity, analysis and critical thinking. Students are given the tools they need to pursue graduate or professional studies and careers that require robust writing skills, clear and effective communication and critical thinking.

Concentrations

  • Writing: Stresses the study and practice of a diversity of forms of written expression.
  • Literature and Criticism: Emphasizes western literary history and interpretation.
  • Teaching: Prepares students for a career in English education at the middle or high school level.

Upon completion of the undergraduate B.A. program in English, students will be able to:

  1. Identify, define and apply literary critical approaches to analyse texts. 
  2. Define, analyse and interpret texts and their cultural and historical contexts.
  3. Read, research, and write as a dialogic process of inquiry that includes reflection, collaboration and engagement with others.
  4. Formulate and construct interpretive and creative applications of texts in workshops, literary performances, and other collaborative events in local communities. 
  5. Explain and interpret how literature and writing are vehicles for service, justice and peace.

In addition to the general education requirements, these are the pre-major and major requirements below:

Pre-Major Requirements
  • EN 102 Expository Writing
  • Any EN 200 level course

Note: All pre-major requirements must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better.

Major Requirements
  • EN 314 Backgrounds in American Literature 
  • EN 315 Backgrounds in British Literature
  • EN 499 Senior Seminar*

*The Senior Seminar or capstone course is for majors only, and will be taken after the student has completed 15 credits in the major and achieved senior standing.

Concentration Requirements

The English program offers three primary avenues of study or concentrations: Writing, Literature and Criticism and Teaching. Although specialization is not required, it is highly recommended that courses be taken in one of the concentrations.

Writing

Choose one or two of the following 300-level courses:

  • EN 302 Creative Writing: Fiction 
  • EN 303 Creative Writing: Poetry
  • EN 362 Advanced Expository Writing
  • EN 371 Publications Workshop
  • Choose three or four of the following 400-level courses:
  • EN 402 Advanced Fiction Writing
  • EN 403 Advanced Poetry Writing
  • EN 422 Modern Pacific Literature
  • EN 430 Women’s Literature
  • EN 432 American Literature: 1940 to Present
  • EN 480 Special Topics
  • EN 490 Directed Study
  • EN 499 Senior Seminar
Literature and Criticism

Choose one or two of the following 300 level courses:

  • EN 305 Multicultural Literature
  • EN 319 Studies in Shakespeare
  • EN 380 Special Topics

Choose three or four of the following 400 level courses:

  • EN 402 Advanced Fiction Writing
  • EN 403 Advanced Poetry Writing
  • EN 422 Modern Pacific Literature
  • EN 430 Women’s Literature
  • EN 432 American Literature: 1940 to Present
  • EN 480 Special Topics
  • EN 490 Directed Study
  • EN 499 Senior Seminar
Teaching

Choose one or two of the following 300 level courses:

  • EN 305 Multicultural Literature
  • EN 319 Studies in Shakespeare
  • EN 380 Special Topics

Choose three or four of the following 400 level courses:

  • EN 402 Advanced Fiction Writing
  • EN 403 Advanced Poetry Writing
  • EN 422 Modern Pacific Literature
  • EN 430 Women’s Literature
  • EN 432 American Literature: 1940 to Present
  • EN 480 Special Topics
  • EN 490 Directed Study
  • EN 499 Senior Seminar

Resources

Faculty

Our faculty members are leaders in their fields. They believe in the power of personal experience—stressing mentorship, collaboration and project-based learning inside and outside the classroom.

Meet Our Faculty

Accreditation

Chaminade University of Honolulu is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.