Nov 21, 2024

2024 2025 Academic Catalog

English and Professional Writing, B.S.

Location(s): Main Campus

Bryant Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4297

Program Description

A bachelor’s degree in English and Professional Writing prepares students to enter the job force as writers, editors, content generators, communications specialists, and educators. Students learn the skills to communicate effectively in public and professional settings. The program fosters in-demand career skills including oral and written communication, critical thinking, reading comprehension, cultural awareness and sensitivity, and research skills.

Graduates from the English and Professional Writing program are prepared for careers in a variety of fields including business, communications, public and media relations, technical and grant writing, journalism, copywriting, editing, publishing, and advertising. Graduates are qualified to pursue graduate training leading to careers in library science, law, and elementary and secondary English education. This degree meets all requirements for the Master of Science in Secondary English (30 credits).

Degree Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the University of Bridgeport’s English program will be able to:

Write clearly and effectively in a variety of forms, adapting writing and analytical skills to all rhetorical situations;
Demonstrate the ability to read critically, research effectively, and document sources ethically;
Adapt creativity, critical thinking, and speaking skills to communicate effectively in professional environments;
Read and analyze writing from a variety of genres produced in many diverse cultures and historical periods and apply this analysis to education and the development of content;
Appreciate and effectively communicate the value of storytelling and creative expression as sources of practical wisdom, aesthetic pleasure, and knowledge of the diversity of human experience.

Curriculum and Program Requirements - 120 Credit(s)

Students must complete 48 credits of English and Professional Writing coursework, at least 12 credits at the 300 level or above. Course work must cover the following areas:

Group I - 24 Credit(s)

Literature

12 credits of Literature courses from the following:

Literary Diversity - 6 Credit(s)

ENGL 212 - Masterpiece of World Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 223 - Modern African-American Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 228 - Immigrant and Indigenous Stories 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 252 - Women in Literature 3 Credit(s)

Content Genres - 6 Credit(s)

ENGL 102 - Introduction to Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 105B - Introduction to Fiction 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 105A - Introduction to Drama 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 213 - Contemporary Drama 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 216 - Introduction to Poetry 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 180 - Science Fiction 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 215 - Thematic Studies in Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 220 - Literature of Travel and Adventure 3 Credit(s)

Professional Writing

12 credits of Professional Writing courses from the following:

ENGL 201 - Fiction Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 202 - Professional Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 205 - Poetry Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 217 - Creative Nonfiction 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 218 - Autobiographical Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 219 - Dramatic Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 227 - Writing for Social Media 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 204 - Technical Writing 1 Credit(s)
ENGL 322 - Understanding English Grammar 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 246 - News and Feature Writing 3 Credit(s)

Group II - 24 Credit(s)

Literature

12 credits from the following topics in literature:

ENGL 207 - American Literature I 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 208 - American Literature II 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 209 - British Literature I 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 210 - British Literature II 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 305 - Shakespeare at the Movies 3 Credit(s)

Advanced Seminars and Electives

12 credits from the following advanced seminars and electives:

Advanced Seminars - 6 Credit(s)

ENGL 308 - Advanced Creative Writing 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 325 - Contemporary Poetry 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 357 - Studies in the Novel 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 330 - Studies in 19th Century American Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 332 - New Styles of Storytelling 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 395 - Topics in Literature 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 397 - Thesis 3 Credit(s)
ENGL 399 - Independent Studies 6 Credit(s)

English and Prof. Writing Electives - 6 Credit(s)

Choose any two additional courses from Group I or II, as well as any COMM classes, and/or:

ENGL 398 - Internship 3 to 6 Credit(s)

General Education Requirements - 42 Credit(s)

Core Curriculum - 33 Credit(s)

ENGL 101 - Academic Writing 3 Credit(s)
FYS 101 - First Year Seminar 3 Credit(s)
MATH Math Core 3 Credit(s)
Fine Arts Fine Arts Core Elective 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Humanities Core Electives 6 Credit(s)
Natural Sciences Natural Science Core Electives 6 Credit(s)
Social Sciences Social Science Core Electives 6 Credit(s)
CAPS 390 - Capstone Seminar 3 Credit(s)

Liberal Arts Electives - 9 Credit(s)

Free Electives

Students may take up to 30 credits of free electives, which may include a minor. 120 total credit hours are required to complete the degree program.

Minors

Students may declare a minor with at least 18 credits. Suggested minors include:

Education
Psychology and Human Services
Business
Health Sciences
Film, Television, and Digital Media

English Minor

The minor in English and Professional Writing allows students to build career-oriented analytical thinking, writing, and communication skills. Such skills enhance any program of study.

A minor in English and Professional Writing requires 18 credits of English courses (not including English 101), and students may choose to focus on literature, writing, or both. At least 9 credits from Group I Program Core, including courses listed under Literary Diversity,
Content Genres or Professional Writing. Additional 9 credits may come from Group II Literature Courses or English electives. A grade of C or better is accepted for minor credit.

Suggested Program - 120 Credit(s)

Semester 1

ENGL 101 - Academic Writing 3 Credit(s)
FYS 101 - First Year Seminar 3 Credit(s)
FA Fine Arts Core Elective 3 Credit(s)
HUM Humanities Core Elective 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 1 Content Genre Course 3 Credit(s)

Semester 2

ENGL Group 1 Content Genre Course 3 Credit(s)
SOC SCI Social Science Core Elective 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 1 Professional Writing Course 3 Credit(s)
NAT SCI Natural Science Core Elective 3 Credit(s)
MATH 102 - Nature of Mathematics 3 Credit(s)

Semester 3

ENGL Group 1 Literary Diversity 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 1 Professional Writing Course 3 Credit(s)
ENGL English or PW Elective 3 Credit(s)
HUM Humanities Core Elective 3 Credit(s)
SOC SCI Social Science Core Elective 3 Credit(s)

Semester 4

ENGL Group 1 Literary Diversity 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 1 Professional Writing Course 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 2 Topics in Lit Course 3 Credit(s)
HUM Humanities Core Elective 3 Credit(s)
NAT SCI Natural Science Core Elective 3 Credit(s)

Semester 5

ENGL Group 2 Topics in Lit Course 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 1 Professional Writing Course 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 2 English and PW Elective 3 Credit(s)
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Credit(s)
Free Electives 3 Credit(s)

Semester 6

ENGL Group 2 Topics in Lit Course 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 2 English and PW Elective 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 2 Advanced Seminars 3 Credit(s)
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Credit(s)
Free Electives 3 Credit(s)

Semester 7

ENGL Group 2 Topics in Lit Course 3 Credit(s)
CAPS 390 Capstone Seminar 3 Credit(s)
Liberal Arts Elective 3 Credit(s)
Free Electives 6 Credit(s)

Semester 8

ENGL Group 2 Topics in Lit Course 3 Credit(s)
ENGL Group 2 Advanced Seminars 3 Credit(s)
Free Electives 12 Credit(s)