English College of Letters & Science English Department, Michael Williams, chair UW - Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 346-4757 Email: m2willia@uwsp.edu English Department Webpage: http://www.uwsp.edu/english Catalog page: http://www.uwsp.edu/news/uwspcatalog/Menglish.htm

Introduction
The English major includes courses in literature, the study of language, and the practical skills of writing. In most academic years, UWSP will have 230-250 English majors in various stages of their academic careers. Thirty-five to fifty of them will graduate each year, with perhaps twenty certified to teach in high school. A major in English requires at least 38 credits beyond freshman English and can be completed comfortably in four years. Teacher certification requires a range of additional courses, including a semester of student teaching; with careful planning, the student may complete his or her course of study in eight semesters, but will often take up to ten.

The Department of English offers a writing minor to complement any discipline in which the student chooses to major. Three specific writing areas are possible: technical and business writing, expository writing, and creative writing. The writing minor, comprised of both writing and literature courses, consists of 24 credits beyond Freshman English.

The writing minor can be joined with the English major, resulting in a strong combination for those interested in going into teaching or into any area where a knowledge of literature and composition would be of value.

Why Study English at UW-Stevens Point?
In practice, individuals vary in their interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Faculty of the English department at UWSP pride themselves on the degree of attention they afford individual students to help them both further and widen their interests, develop their strengths, and overcome their weaknesses. Every member of the English department is a committed teacher, but many of them are also significant scholars. All regular faculty possess terminal degrees, and most have published a range of scholarly works in their areas of expertise. Class sizes are kept small and advising is tailored to the needs of each student.

High School Preparation
The ideal English major will be both a compulsive reader and a strong writer, sensitive to the nuances of language and culture. To prepare for success in college, the prospective major should: read widely and attentively, and, as he or she develops opinions or preferences, attempt to justify them; work to improve any identifiable weaknesses in writing; take courses in English, journalism, drama, foreign languages, and speech, and complement formal study by participating in extracurricular activities such as the student newspaper or drama club. Many students find it useful to take an Advanced Placement course and take one or both AP tests in English.

Department Features
All English classrooms are equipped with the latest instructional technology, and many faculty members undergo periodic retraining in order to keep up with latest developments. The technology is regarded as a complement to traditional "personal" instructional methods rather than a replacement for them. The English department also offers a wide range of student-centered activities, from career workshops to speakers' groups, to creative writing workshops. The Writers' Club, for example, gives students the opportunity to discuss their work and to publish the best of it in the outstanding student-run literary magazine, Barney Street.

Employment Opportunity
Historically, English majors who have graduated with teacher certification have been able to find teaching positions, even in difficult economic times. Non-teaching English majors will discover what many already know: the English major is highly adaptable. Not only does it give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of literature and refine their interpretive techniques, but it also enables them to develop critical thinking and communication skills they can apply to good effect in any occupation. Some obvious potential fields are advertising, public relations, insurance, and publishing, but the possibilities are enormous. The English major is also highly regarded as a pre-law track and as good preparation for an M.B.A. program. In recent years, the number of English majors from UWSP who have chosen to advance to graduate programs in English has increased significantly.

Program of Study for the English Major/ Writing Minor
Since the major/minor combination is quite flexible, the student can put together a program fitting his/her preferences: a "teaching" major or a "general" major, with a minor concentrated on technical, expository, or creative writing. In addition to the outstanding creative writing classes in poetry and fiction, the department offers business writing, outdoor writing, scientific and technical writing, and freelance writing courses, all taught by faculty well published in their fields.

Beyond the freshman English courses and the required university courses, the student seeking a degree with the English major/writing minor combination must have 48 credits, including:

• Requirements for the English major.
• Writing: 15 credits from the writing minor.
• Electives: a minimum of 9 credits from English offerings and acceptable comparative literature courses.

Sample Program of Study for the Writing Minor With a Major Other Than English
Although many students who are not English majors enjoy writing, and the opportunity to practice diverse kinds of writing is reason enough for them to pick up the writing minor, many other students are unaware of the practical reason for adding the writing minor. Actually, for almost any position that a college graduate is a candidate, writing skills will be highly valued. Students should consider the wide range of writing courses offered by the department. Three specific writing areas are possible: technical and business writing, expository writing and creative writing. The writing minor, comprised of both writing and literature courses, consists of 24 credits beyond Freshman English.

• Freshman
  
  
  • First Semester: English 101, 3 credits
  • Second Semester: English 102, 3 credits
• Sophomore
  
  
  • First Semester: English 200, Introduction to the Study of Literature, 3 credits
  • Second Semester: English 250, Expository Writing, 3 credits