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English (BA)

 

English majors read, discuss, and write about literature, film, popular culture and the law from a variety of perspectives. In doing so, they build skills in critical reading and analysis, verbal presentation, argumentation, and persuasive writing. In John Jay’s unique English curriculum, students acquire a comprehensive and varied foundation in literary study, and then choose either an optional concentration in Literature and the Law or pursue the field of Literature in greater depth. The major prepares students for a variety of careers and graduate work in law, public policy, business, education, writing, and government.

Some details:
Part 1: Critical Skills
Part 2: Historical Perspectives
Part 3: Critical Methods
Part 4: Literature and the Law
Part 5: Electives
Part 6: Major Seminar

Credits required: 36

 Prerequisites: ENG 201 and one General Education Literature course: LIT 230, LIT 231, LIT 232, LIT 233

Advisor: Advisor: Professor Allison Pease (212.237.8565, apease@jjay.cuny.edu).


PART 1. CRITICAL SKILLS Subtotal: 3 credits

LIT 260 Introduction to Literary Study


PART 2. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Subtotal: 12 credits

Select four
LIT 370 Topics in Ancient Literature
LIT 371 Topics in Medieval Literature
LIT 372 Topics in Early Modern Literature
LIT 373 Topics in Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Literature
LIT 374 Topics in Nineteenth Century Literature
LIT 375 Topics in Twentieth Century Literature


PART 3. CRITICAL METHODS Subtotal: 3 credits

LIT 300 Text and Context


PART 4. LITERATURE AND THE LAW Subtotal: 3 credits

LIT 305 Foundations of Literature and Law


PART 5. ELECTIVES Subtotal: 12 credits

Select four; if concentrating in Literature and the Law, select at least two from that section.

Literature Electives
LIT 203 New York City in Literature
LIT 212 Literature of the African World
LIT 223 African-American Literature
LIT 309 Contemporary Fiction
LIT 316 Gender and Identity in Literary Traditions
LIT 313 Shakespeare
LIT 360 Mythology in Literature
LIT 344 Caribbean Culture and Conflict
LIT 346 Cultures in Conflict

Literature and the Law Electives
LIT 219 The Word as Weapon
LIT 314 Shakespeare and Justice
LIT 315 American Literature and the Law
LIT 319 Medieval Justice
LIT 327 The Literature of Crime and Punishment
LIT 342 Perspectives on Literature and Human Rights
LIT 3XX Courtroom Drama
LIT 3XX Law in African Literature


PART 6. MAJOR SEMINAR Subtotal: 3 credits
Choose one (if concentrating in Literature and Law, choose Literature and the Law Seminar)
LIT 4XX Literature Seminar
LIT 4XX Literature and the Law Seminar

Total: 36 credits