| The Department of
English and Theatre offers instruction in literature, creative and technical writing,
language and theatre arts. This instruction is designed for students who want to broaden
their insight into the nature of language and literature, students who want to develop
their writing abilities, students who want to learn theatre skills, and students who plan
to teach. The Department also offers instruction in reading and study skills, basic
instruction for speakers of English as a second language, and developmental courses for
students who have been away from formal learning situations for a period of time or who
need to develop language skills before entering college-level courses. In addition,
academic assistance is offered to students from all programs and at all levels in the
Writing Center. |
Undergraduate English
At the undergraduate level, the department offers a Bachelor of Arts in English with the
option of an emphasis in literature, technical writing, or creative writing. These options
share a common core with additional courses to fit the particular emphasis. All three of
these options include enough elective hours to pursue a minor, a second major, or simply
to indulge one's interests. The department also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching
which qualifies its graduates for certification to teach English at the secondary level.
Minors are offered in English and
English Teaching. The minor in English is 18 hours. It requires a course in writing and in
the principles of literary study. The remaining twelve hours can be chosen from any of our
upper-division English courses. The minor in English Teaching is 27 hours and is for those
with a primary teaching certification in some other area but who wish to be certified to
teach English as well. An endorsement in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) can
be added to the teaching major.
Undergraduate
Theatre
The department offers three theatre degrees at the undergraduate level. The Bachelor of
Arts in Theatre is a generalist degree which requires 41 hours from across the total
theatre curriculum. In addition to completing the required course work, the individual
student may choose to create an area of specialization through the selection of theatre
electives. The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Teaching, which requires an English Teaching
minor, qualifies its graduates for certification to teach Theatre and English at the
secondary level. Finally, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts is a
multi-disciplinary program in theatre, music and dance, providing students with training
for musical theatre.
Minors are offered in Theatre and
Theatre Teaching. The theatre minor requires 18 hours while the teaching minor requires
21. Course work includes acting, stagecraft, directing and theatre history. The teaching
minor is most popular with English Teaching majors who want to expand their experiences
and marketability.
Graduate
English
At the graduate level, the department offers a Master of Arts in English with emphases in
British Literature, American Literature, Rhetorical Studies, Language Studies, including
English as a Second Language, and Creative Writing. The masters is a 30 hour program and
offers both thesis and non-thesis options. A limited number of graduate assistantships are
available. These assistantships come with a stipend and a waiver of the out-of-state
tuition fee. This means both Kentucky residents and non-residents pay the in-state tuition
rate. Just as importantly, these assistantships typically provide opportunities for
teaching experience in a supervised setting and/or the opportunity to assist in the
department's Writing Center and computer writing labs.
Choosing a
Major
If you do not already have a major or minor, consider English and Theatre. An English and
Theatre major or minor provides an excellent preparation for a wide variety of
opportunities, including business and industry, government, social work, and teaching. It
also is excellent preparation for law school. In fact, English and Theatre majors can be
found almost everywhere in the workplace. English not only introduces students to the
finest literature but also teaches students to think critically and to write well: two
skills in demand in today's marketplace. Theatre helps develop speaking and performance
skills which are increasingly important in all areas of work and leisure. For these
reasons the study of English and Theatre is fine preparation for work and for life.
Remember, however, that through your education you want not only to acquire a marketable
skill but also to acquire an understanding of yourself and other people–which
ultimately may be the most valuable skill of all. We believe our offerings can help you
achieve both these goals.
If you wish further information on
the department and its programs, please send your request to:
Dr. James Keller
Chair, Department of English and Theatre
Case Annex 467
Eastern Kentucky University
501 Lancaster Avenue Richmond, KY 40475-3102
Be sure to include both your email
and USPS mail addresses with your request. |
