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English
Overview
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The English major offers a rich variety of courses for students interested in literature, creative writing, and language and society. Among the interdisciplinary offerings are courses in film, linguistics, and global studies.
Students may prepare for the study of literature on the graduate level. Concentrated work in English will be of great value to students preparing for such business and professional careers as editing, publishing, science and technical writing, advertising, public relations, and communications. The literature courses are designed to help students sharpen their reading and writing skills, gain new insights into human nature and cultural diversity, and achieve increased flexibility in their own approach to life.
Students preparing for graduate study in literature should have some knowledge of the range of English, American, and non-Western literature and should be acquainted with such major figures as Chaucer and Shakespeare. Because most graduate schools have foreign language requirements and candidates must sometimes demonstrate competence in several languages, prospective graduate students are urged to undertake their study of foreign languages as early as possible.
Students in English are encouraged to broaden their base of knowledge in as many fields as possible, many of which will resonate with interdisciplinary approaches in their English courses. Courses in comparative literature, foreign languages, communication studies, history, art, music, religion, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and education are especially recommended.
Program Learning Goals
Upon completion of a major in English, students will be able to:
Read closely and critically canonical and noncanonical texts from multiple genres, with careful attention to literary, rhetorical, and multimedia conventions of form, genre, style, tropes, audience, and purpose.
Analyze texts within historical context, covering a range of cultures and historical periods, informed by literary, cultural, and political theories.
Exercise effective research skills, identifying and appropriately engaging with and citing credible sources from multiple perspectives, as evidence, and for other argumentative purposes.
Write cogent argumentative essays and creative works, demonstrating knowledge of formal, thematic and stylistic features of literary, and multimedia works.
Present and defend work before an audience, including sharing research findings with peers, with emphasis on developing effective communications strategies for showcasing work.
Requirements
In Residence at Baruch College
Liberal Arts and Sciences Content Courses
- 0912711
OR 0912731
OR 0912721 - 0912741
OR 0912751
OR 1093431
A course in this area must meet all of the following learning outcomes. A student will:
Read closely and critically canonical and noncanonical texts from multiple genres, with careful attention to literary, rhetorical, and multimedia conventions of form, genre, style, tropes, audience, and purpose.
Analyze texts within historical context, covering a range of cultures and historical periods, informed by literary, cultural, and political theories.
Exercise effective research skills, identifying and appropriately engaging with and citing credible sources from multiple perspectives, as evidence, and for other argumentative purposes.
Write cogent argumentative essays and creative works, demonstrating knowledge of formal, thematic and stylistic features of literary, and multimedia works.
Present and defend work before an audience, including sharing research findings with peers, with emphasis on developing effective communications strategies for showcasing work.
- 1163911
- 0931501
- 0931351
- 1370271
OR 1550491 - 0931551
- 0931571
- 0931601
- 0931331
- 1369911
- 1340191
OR 1340201 - 0946421
- 0931331
- 1557711
A course in this area must meet all of the following learning outcomes. A student will:
Interpret and draw appropriate inferences from quantitative representations, such as formulas, graphs, or tables.
Use algebraic, numerical, graphical, or statistical methods to draw accurate conclusions and solve mathematical problems.
Represent quantitative problems expressed in natural language in a suitable mathematical format.
Effectively communicate quantitative analysis or solutions to mathematical problems in written or oral form.
Evaluate solutions to problems for reasonableness using a variety of means, including informed estimation.
Apply mathematical methods to problems in other fields of study.
The following courses are no longer offered at Baruch, but do appear on students’ transfer evaluations. Any of these courses may be used to satisfy the Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning requirement of the Pathways curriculum without appeal: MTH 2000; MTH 2300; MTH 2300; MTH 2301; MTH 2100; MTH 2150; MTH 2006; MTH 2206; and MTH 2630. MTH 3010 Calculus II is considered a STEM Variant course, and may also be used to satisfy this requirement without appeal.
** Zicklin students should not take MTH 2140 or MTH 2160, which do not meet the mathematics requirement for the BBA degree. Zicklin students must complete a course in precalculus (and must satisfy the prerequisites for whichever precalculus course they take). Therefore, these students usually take MTH 2003 or MTH 2009. Students who enter Baruch with a calculus placement (MTH 2207 or MTH 2610) may take STA 2000 to satisfy their Pathways requirement.
MTH 2140 and MTH 2160 are not appropriate for students within the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences whose major requires a statistics course or additional math courses (such majors include: Actuarial Science, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Economics, Financial Mathematics, Natural Sciences ad hoc, and Statistics).
A course in this area must meet all of the following learning outcomes. A student will:
Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a life or physical science.
Apply the scientific method to explore natural phenomena, including hypothesis development, observation, experimentation, measurement, data analysis, and data presentation.
Use the tools of a scientific discipline to carry out collaborative laboratory investigations.
Gather, analyze, and interpret data and present it in an effective written laboratory or fieldwork report.
Identify and apply research ethics and unbiased assessment in gathering and reporting scientific data.
NOTE: The following courses are no longer offered at Baruch, but do appear on students’ transfer evaluations. Any of these courses may be used to satisfy the Life and Physical Sciences or the Scientific World requirement of the Pathways curriculum without appeal: BIO 1003; BIO 1005; CHM 1000; ENV 1020; ENV 1021; and PHY 1003. One course may not be used to satisfy both requirements.
STEM VARIANT COURSES
The following courses may be used to satisfy either the Life and Physical Sciences or the Scientific World requirement (one course may not satisfy both requirements). Students who wish to pursue a major or minor in the Natural Sciences should satisfy the Pathways science requirements with STEM Variant courses.
BIO 2010 Principles of Biology I
CHM 2003 General Chemistry I
PHY 2003 General Physics I
PHY 3010 Quantitative Physics I
The Department of Natural Sciences offers “stand-alone” sections of their Pathways courses ( BIO 1011L, BIO 1012, etc.), specifically designed for students who are only required to complete one half of the paired courses – lecture or lab, not both. For example, a student who transfers a Scientific World course, may satisfy the Life and Physical Sciences requirement with a stand-alone section of a Natural Sciences course in that category. These stand-alone sections are not open to students who enter Baruch as freshmen or to transfer students who have satisfied neither the Life & Physical Sciences nor the Scientific World requirement at the time they entered Baruch. Please consult the Department of Natural Sciences to request registration permission for any of their stand-alone sections (17 Lexington Ave, room 506; 646-660-6200)
A course in this area must meet at least three of the following additional learning outcomes. A student will:
Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a discipline or interdisciplinary field exploring world cultures or global issues, including, but not limited to, anthropology, communications, cultural studies, economics, ethnic studies, foreign languages (building upon previous language acquisition), geography, history, political science, sociology, and world literature.
Analyze culture, globalization, or global cultural diversity, and describe an event or process from more than one point of view.
Analyze the historical development of one or more non-U.S. societies.
Analyze the significance of one or more major movements that have shaped the world's societies.
Analyze and discuss the role that race, ethnicity, class, gender, language, sexual orientation, belief, or other forms of social differentiation play in world cultures or societies.
Speak, read, and write a language other than English, and use that language to respond to cultures other than one's own.
A course in this area must meet at least three of the following additional learning outcomes. A student will:
Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a discipline or interdisciplinary field exploring the U.S. experience in its diversity, including, but not limited to, anthropology, communications, cultural studies, economics, history, political science, psychology, public affairs, sociology, and U.S. literature.
Analyze and explain one or more major themes of U.S. history from more than one informed perspective.
Evaluate how indigenous populations, slavery, or immigration have shaped the development of the United States.
Explain and evaluate the role of the United States in international relations.
Identify and differentiate among the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government and analyze their influence on the development of U.S. democracy.
Analyze and discuss common institutions or patterns of life in contemporary U.S. society and how they influence, or are influenced by, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, belief, or other forms of social differentiation.
Note: HIS 1004 History of American Civilization I is no longer offered at Baruch, but it does appear on students’ transfer evaluations. This course may be used to satisfy the U.S. Experience in its Diversity requirement of the Pathways curriculum without appeal.
A course in this area must meet at least three of the following additional learning outcomes. A student will:
Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a discipline or interdisciplinary field exploring creative expression, including, but not limited to, arts, communications, creative writing, media arts, music, and theater.
Analyze how arts from diverse cultures of the past serve as a foundation for those of the present, and describe the significance of works of art in the societies that created them.
Articulate how meaning is created in the arts or communications and how experience is interpreted and conveyed.
Demonstrate knowledge of the skills involved in the creative process.
Use appropriate technologies to conduct research and to communicate.
A course in this area must meet at least three of the following additional learning outcomes. A student will:
Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a discipline or interdisciplinary field exploring the relationship between the individual and society, including, but not limited to, anthropology, communications, cultural studies, history, journalism, philosophy, political science, psychology, public affairs, religion, and sociology.
Examine how an individual's place in society affects experiences, values, or choices.
Articulate and assess ethical views and their underlying premises.
Articulate ethical uses of data and other information resources to respond to problems and questions.
Identify and engage with local, national, or global trends or ideologies, and analyze their impact on individual or collective decision-making.
A course in this area must meet at least three of the following additional learning outcomes. A student will:
Identify and apply the fundamental concepts and methods of a discipline or interdisciplinary field exploring the scientific world, including, but not limited to: computer science, history of science, life and physical sciences, linguistics, logic, mathematics, psychology, statistics, and technology-related studies.
Demonstrate how tools of science, mathematics, technology, or formal analysis can be used to analyze problems and develop solutions.
Articulate and evaluate the empirical evidence supporting a scientific or formal theory.
Articulate and evaluate the impact of technologies and scientific discoveries on the contemporary world, such as issues of personal privacy, security, or ethical responsibilities.
Understand the scientific principles underlying matters of policy or public concern in which science plays a role.
Note: The following courses are no longer offered at Baruch, but do appear on students’ transfer evaluations. Any of these courses may be used to satisfy the Scientific World or the Life and Physical Sciences requirement of the Pathways curriculum without appeal: BIO 1003; BIO 1005; CHM 1000; ENV 1020; ENV 1021; and PHY 1003. One course may not be used to satisfy both requirements.
STEM VARIANT COURSES
The following courses may be used to satisfy either the Life and Physical Sciences or the Scientific World requirement (one course may not satisfy both requirements). Students who wish to pursue a major or minor in the Natural Sciences should satisfy the Pathways science requirements with STEM Variant courses.
course Principles of Biology I
course General Chemistry I
course General Physics I
course Quantitative Physics I
The Flexible Core is made up of six courses, which must be taken in five different categories (numbered 4-8): 4) World Cultures and Global Issues; 5) U.S. Experience in its Diversity; 6) Creative Expression; 7) The Individual and Society; and 8) Scientific World.
In fulfilling the six-course requirement, students may not take more than two courses from any one department, discipline, or interdisciplinary field.
Please note that some departments offer courses in more than one category…
ANT and SOC courses are offered by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology;
ART, MSC, and THE courses are offered by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts;
BLS and LTS (formerly HSP) courses are offered by the Department of Black and Latino Studies;
BIO, ENV, CHM, and PHY courses are offered by the Department of Natural Science; and
Within the Pathways Flexible Core, POL and PAF (formerly PUB) are considered to be a single field.
All Flexible Core courses must meet the following three learning outcomes. A student will:
Gather, interpret, and assess information from a variety of sources and points of view.
Evaluate evidence and arguments critically or analytically.
Produce well-reasoned written or oral arguments using evidence to support conclusions.
The learning goals or outcomes of each area within the Flexible Core are included above, followed by lists of applicable courses.
Baruch no longer restricts students to one course from any given discipline, department, or interdisciplinary field
- 1124101
OR 0912961 - 1124111
OR 0913001
4000-level CIC "capstone" course for one of the liberal arts minors
This course must be completed at Baruch.
Two 3000-level liberal arts courses towards the same liberal arts minor.
The liberal arts minor cannot be within the same area of study as the major. This is also true for students who are required to complete part of the minor for the College Option.
There is no GPA stipulation attached to the College Option courses, but in order to graduate with the liberal arts minor, a student must have a grade point average of at least 2.00 in the three courses that make up his or her liberal arts minor.
The College Option consists of as many as four courses (6, 9, or 12 credits), depending on how much coursework the student has completed at another institution.
A minimum of 60% of the credits in the major field must be completed at Baruch College. For this major a minimum of 18 credits must be taken at Baruch.
- 0912711
- 0912741
- 1124101
OR 1207891 - 1124111
OR 1157581 - 1207891
- 1124111
OR 1157581
- 0907261
OR 0907271
Students may not use proficiency and/or exemption exams to satisfy this requirement.
1st Foreign Language course (based on placement) and 2nd Foreign Language course (the same language as the 1st Foreign Language course)
Students who transfer language credits for languages not taught at Baruch College may use these credits for the foreign language requirement at Baruch College.
Placement Information:
Students should review the guidelines below, and see a faculty advisor in the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature to confirm proper placement if they intend to continue a language to which they have prior exposure. Students have the option of taking a placement exam to ensure that they are placed at the correct level.
Please consult the Department of Modern Languages and Comparative Literature for assistance
The literature concentration in the English major will develop students’ critical thinking and communication skills through an in-depth exposure to British, American, and global Anglophone literary traditions including literature in translation. The concentration will offer students’ knowledge of literary history from the Medieval period to the present and multiple literary genres, while enabling them to understand how different rhetorical and formal devices can be used to capture particular political, cultural, and social realities and inspire specific emotional and intellectual responses. Literature courses are designed to help students sharpen their reading and writing skills, gain new insights into human experience and cultural diversity, and develop a flexibility of mind conducive to informed and ethical civic engagement. A defining purpose of this concentration is to encourage students to read literature critically in order to enhance their capacity for creativity, empathy, and reflection. As they proceed through the major, students will learn various strategies for interpreting different literary works, while developing the ability to produce cogent, persuasive analytical essays, using evidence from the text, engaging with secondary criticism and literary theory, and conducting research. By improving students’ analytical and oral and written communication skills, studying literature will prepare them for a variety of professional fields, including publishing, journalism, creative writing in fiction and nonfiction, education, law, marketing and advertising, science and technical writing, public relations, government, and nonprofits.
- 0913141
- 0913151
- 0913161
OR 0913171
- 0913181
- 0913191
- 0913201
- 0913211
- 0913221
- 0913781
- 0913791
- 0913801
- 1482111
Choose five additional courses for 15 credits. Electives must be selected from Department of English offerings numbered at the 3000, 4000, 5000, and 6000-levels. Courses offered by the Harman Writer-in-Residence are also included.
Note: Interdisciplinary courses, such as Feit Seminars (course), and appropriate film studies courses may be included with prior permission of the department.
You may need to take additional Liberal Arts Courses to complete the required credits for your degree.
The English major’s concentration in Rhetoric, Writing, and Linguistics will enhance students’ critical thinking skills as they learn how language operates, how sentence structures shape meaning, and how knowing one’s audience is crucial in determining what words should be used in order to reach that audience. The concentration will also invite students to consider how the language we seem to control has also in certain ways predetermined our values and helped shape who we are. Through courses on both historical and contemporary rhetorical and linguistic principles and conventions, students will learn to analyze language and texts in relation to their historical and cultural contexts, as well as develop an understanding of how these contexts shape their own writing. This concentration will equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need for contemporary careers as writers or editors in business, government, medical, education, or nonprofit organizations, as well as strong persuasive skills ideal for future studies in law school or other graduate studies.
- 1118351
- 1568021
- 1568031
- 0913531
- 0913541
- 0913581
- 1136311
- 0913731
- 1573771
- 1568051
OR 1568052 - 0914191
One upper-division elective selected from the department’s 3000- and 4000-level courses.
- 0913141
- 0913151
- 0913161
OR 0913171 - 0913181
OR 0913191
OR 0913201
OR 0913211
OR 0913221 - 0913781
OR 0913791
OR 0913801
OR 1482111