Xavier University of Louisiana

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Department of English
Dr. Nicole P. Greene
Department Chair
504-520-5246

Dr. Biljana D. Obradovic
Department Webmaster
504-520-5155

Xavier University
1 Drexel Drive
New Orleans, LA 70125

OVERVIEW OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

English majors learn to reason effectively and to communicate well, both orally and in writing. Under the newly-revised English curriculum students will become even better prepared to pursue careers in education, law, government service, technical writing, journalism, public relations, business, and the corporate world. The graduating English major may enter a masters or Ph.D. program in English, Comparative Literature, African American Studies, Women's Studies, Cultural Studies, Diaspora Studies, creative writing, technical writing, linguistics, or in any of the humanities. Many of Xavier's English graduates have entered law or graduate school programs.

Students electing English as a major must earn 42 semester hours of English, exclusive of English 1010-1020. Majors are required to pass a senior comprehensive examination, and must attend all departmental meetings. In order for an English course to be counted for degree credit in English and in English/English Education, a student must earn a "C" or better.

All English courses reinforce the goals of the core curriculum. The following courses are required for the B.A. in English: ENGL 1010-1020 (or 1023H), 2010 (or 2011H), 2070, 2080, 3160, 3170, 3400, one African American literature course (3185 or 3280 or 3290), one world literature course beyond 2010 (2020 or 3175 or 3275), one English literature course pre-1800 (3010 or 3021 or 3070), one English literature course post-1800 (3210 or 3221 or 3270), one advanced language/ composition course (2200 or 3135 or 3150), one English elective course and two 4000-level English seminars.

Minor in English Students electing English as a minor must earn 24 hours in English, with 18 of these hours beyond ENGL 1010-1020. ENGL 2010 (2011H) and 2020 are required and count toward the 18 hours of the minor.

Honors in English For initial placement in the Honors in English program, students must meet criteria that include ACT or SAT scores and high school transcript. The English Department determines final placement. To receive an honors distinction in English, students so chosen must take ENGL 1023H, 2011H, and a 3000 or 4000 level English course of their choice and receive a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher for all three courses.

Students with Advanced Placement credit may take the sequence with ENGL 2011H and one more English course at the 3000 or 4000 level. A cumulative average of 3.0 or higher in these two courses will earn them Honors in English.

ENGL 1023H and 2011H satisfy the core curriculum requirements in English composition, introduction to literature, and world literature (the equivalent of ENGL 1010, 1020, and 2010). Upon receiving a grade of "C" or better in the Freshman Honors English Sequence (ENGL 1023H and 2011H), the student will receive 3 semester hours of credit for ENGL 1010. ENGL 1020 and 2010 cannot be substituted for the Freshman Honors English Sequence; if the student elects to take either of those, he/she forfeits his/her placement in the Honors sequence.

Students need not be placed in the Freshman English Honors Sequence outlined above to qualify for “Honors in English.” Students majoring or minoring in English may also earn the honors distinction by completing their courses of study with a 3.5 cumulative average in English. At least eighteen semester hours of English must be earned at Xavier.