Language and Literature

Undergraduate

Jeanine Varner, Chair
ACU Box 28252
Abilene, Texas 79699-8252
Hardin Administration Building, Suite 212

Phone: 325-674-2263
Fax: 325-674-2408
Email: jbv07a@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/language-literature
Blog: blogs.acu.edu/english

Faculty

Carolina Archer, Instructor
B. Cole Bennett, Professor
Brian Brown, Instructor
Laura Carroll, Associate Professor
William M. Carroll, Associate Professor
Suanna Davis, Assistant Professor
Mikee Delony, Associate Professor
Kyle Dickson, Professor
Jeremy Elliott, Associate Professor
Carol Evans, Instructor
Albert Haley, Professor
William Horn, Instructor
Steven T. Moore, Associate Professor
Yann Opsitch, Instructor
Sharon Rankin, Assistant Professor
Leslie Reed, Instructor
Paul Roggendorff, Assistant Professor
Shelly Sanders, Associate Professor
Joseph F. Stephenson, Associate Professor
Jeanine Varner, Professor
Beatriz Walker, Professor
Stephen R. Weathers, Associate Professor
Debbie Williams, Associate Professor
Todd Womble, Assistant Professor

The Department of Language and Literature offers the Bachelor of Arts in English, the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, the Bachelor of Arts in English for Teacher Certification, and the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish for Teacher Certification. A minor in English, Professional Writing, French, German, Spanish, or Film may be added to other majors.

The Master of Arts in English is available with emphases in literature

Introduction

The goal of the Department of Language and Literature is to provide students with the core of a liberal education while also preparing them for satisfying careers. The study of languages, literature, rhetoric, and poetry is the student’s key to becoming a citizen of the world. Students develop a deep satisfaction when they can communicate with people outside their own country and linguistic background.

The Bachelor of Arts in English prepares students for graduate work in English, for careers as college English teachers, or for careers in technical or creative writing. It also provides preparatory education for law school, public relations, library science, personnel work, management, government work or the dozens of other fields that require broad reading, self-expression, an understanding of human nature and the ability to analyze and organize information. Since this degree allows a considerable number of elective hours, students majoring in English can often secure a major in a second field or a minor, thus enhancing their career options.

The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish prepares students for graduate work in Spanish, Hispanic and Romance Languages; for careers as college Spanish teachers; or for careers in translation and interpretation. It also provides preparatory education for law school, international public relations, library science, personnel work, management, government work, or the dozens of other fields that require broad reading, the ability to analyze and organize information, and multilingual and multicultural communication skills. Since this degree allows a considerable number of elective hours, students majoring in Spanish can often secure a major in a second field or a minor, thus enhancing their career options.

The Bachelor of Arts in English for Teacher Certification prepares students who wish to teach in high school with English as a single teaching field.

The Bachelor of Arts in Spanish for Teaching Certification prepares students who wish to teach in high school with Spanish as a single teaching field.

Admission Requirements

Before being admitted to a program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.

General Information

WebCAPE Placement Exam

WebCAPE French, German, or Spanish Test – strongly recommended for all students wishing to register for their first foreign language class at ACU (and for whom transfer, CLEP, or AP work). FREN 111 Beginning French I, GER 111 Beginning German I, and SPAN 111 Beginning Spanish I are strictly designed and reserved for students with no previous knowledge of the target language.

Language Placement Credit

Students who take the WebCAPE and whose first foreign language class at ACU is beyond the first semester level may earn additional language credit as follows:

If the first foreign language class is at the second semester level (FREN 112, GER 112, or SPAN 112) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, three semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first semester course in the same language.
If the first foreign language class is at the third semester level (FREN 221, GER 221, or SPAN 221) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, six semester hours credits will also be awarded for the first and second semester courses in the same language.
If the first foreign language class is at the fourth semester level FREN 222, GER 222, or SPAN 222) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, nine semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first through third semester courses in the same language.
If the first foreign language class is an advanced course (FREN 30+, GER 3+, or SPAN 3+) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, twelve semester hour credit will also be awarded for the first through fourth semester courses in the same language.

English Placement Exam

Students may challenge ACT or SAT placements by taking the English Placement Exam. Placement tests may be attempted twice but should be completed before the semester starts. Placement exam results expire after two years. Students are not eligible for placement after beginning any ENGL course.

Study Abroad Expectations

All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Spanish Majors and Minors are strongly encouraged to participate in our Immersion Semester in Uruguay (Montevideo) or another immersion program. French Minors are strongly encouraged to participate in our French study abroad summer or another immersion program. Students should consult with their advisor as soon as possible.German minors are strongly encouraged to participate in our study abroad program in Leipzig or another immersion program.

Foreign Language for Native Speakers of Other Languages

A special provision exists for the satisfaction of foreign language requirements (under the university requirements) by students for whom English is a second language. Students seeking to fulfill the foreign language requirements by the alternative means listed below must (if requested to do so) be able to demonstrate to the chair of the Department of Language and Literature native (L1) proficiency in a language other than English (not a dialect of English). The student’s native language need not be one of those offered by the Department of Language and Literature.

University Requirements

The requirement for “Foreign Language – 2 high school units or 6 hours” will be satisfied upon successful completion of the university requirement for “English – composition: ENGL 111 or equivalent (3) and Literature (3)” for students who qualify as non-native speakers of English (see above).

Bachelor of Arts Degree

For all Bachelor of Arts degree programs having a requirement for “foreign language – sophomore level – 6 hours,” that requirement will be satisfied upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts requirement for English – composition: ENGL 112 (3) and a second Literature course (3) for students who qualify as non-native speakers of English (see above).
Under this special provision, college credit will be granted for the English courses, but not for any ESL (English as a Second Language) course. Students will still need to complete the prescribed number of hours for particular degree programs (usually this will mean that a Bachelor of Arts degree student will need an additional 12 hours of electives to replace the 12 hours of foreign language that were satisfied by the alternative means outlined above).

Graduate

English

Jeanine Varner, Chair

William Carroll, Graduate Director
ACU Box 28252
Abilene, Texas 79699-8252
Hardin Administration Building Suite 211B

Phone: 325-674-2556
Fax: 325-674-2408
Email: william.carroll@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/grad

Faculty

B. Cole Bennett, Professor
Laura Carroll, Associate Professor
William Carroll, Associate Professor
Suanna Davis, Assistant Professor
Mikee Delony, Associate Professor
Kyle Dickson, Professor
Jeremy Elliot, Assistant Professor
Al Haley, Professor
Steven T. Moore, Associate Professor
Shelly Sanders, Associate Professor
Joseph F. Stephenson, Associate Professor
Darryl Tippens, Professor
Jeanine Varner, Professor
Stephen R. Weathers, Associate Professor
Debbie Williams, Professor
Todd Womble, Assistant Professor

Introduction

Graduate courses in English at ACU are aimed at preparing students for entry in PhD programs, terminal MFA programs, law programs, or for seeking employment in a field for which an advanced degree in English is of direct benefit. As one of a very few religiously-based institutions to offer an MA in English (according to Peterson’s Christian Colleges and Universities, ACU is one of only three CCCU schools and the only university affiliated with Churches of Christ to offer such a program), ACU is uniquely situated to prepare Christian scholars for service and leadership throughout the world.

The Department of Language and Literature offers a Master of Arts (MA) degree in English. This MA is a general degree in English, but has three courses of study for students interested in particular subfields of English studies: a literature track, a composition/rhetoric track, and a writing track. Each of these tracks is aimed at giving students the broadest preparation possible for work in their particular subfield.

Graduate students begin their study with core courses that emphasize intersections of faith and English studies, teacher training and pedagogical exploration, and scholarly production.

The literature track asks students to explore the critical and theoretical approaches to texts written in the various literary periods and exposes students to writers from across the literary spectrum. Courses in this track emphasize student research, writing, and presentation. Students have the option of thesis or non-thesis plans.

The composition and rhetoric track offers students advanced training in current pedagogical rhetorical theory, and is designed primarily for those interested in teaching composition. This track emphasizes student research, writing, and presentation. Students have the option of thesis or non-thesis plans.

The writing track emphasizes creative writing or technical and professional writing by means of courses conducted through workshopping, reading, and writing. A portfolio thesis is required for all students in this track.

All degree plans involve 36 hours of course work (18 of which must be conducted at the 600-level) with up to 6 hours dedicated to thesis writing and another 6 hours available for courses in a support field offered by another department or program. A 3-hour guided study option is required of non-thesis students to help them prepare for comprehensive exams.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the MA in English are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee.
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended.
1. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent.
2. The transcript should reflect a competence in a second language (usually demonstrated through the completion of sophomore-level foreign language).
3. The transcript should reflect 12 hours of upper-division English courses.
4. The transcript should reflect a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Two letters of recommendation.
An official GRE score.
Purpose statement identifying the applicant’s reason for pursuing graduate study and future goals; and
A writing sample in either:
1. A sample critical essay (maximum of 15 pages) that demonstrates the applicant’s capacity for interpretation and literary analysis, or
2. A sample creative writing in prose or poetry (maximum of 20 pages) if the student intends to pursue the writing emphasis track. Writing samples will not be returned unless a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

Applicants who fail to meet one or more admission requirements may be admitted conditionally. A letter to the student will specify the procedures and deadlines for satisfying the entrance requirements.

Except for the language requirement, deficiencies ordinarily must be satisfied during the first semester of study.

Programs

Master of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Minor

Courses

English

English as a Second Language

French

German

Spanish

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