2024-2025 Undergraduate Bulletin

English Minor

Description. Students who have found their required English and Literature courses exciting may continue their exploration of texts (including films and other genres in popular culture) and develop their voices in a variety of written forms in the English minor. The minor offers students the opportunity to broaden their experience of literary study, improve their critical thinking skills, and advance their skills in analytical, expository and/or creative writing.

Learning Outcomes. Students will:

  • Learn to read critically.
  • Learn to form interpretations.
  • Learn to make arguments based on evidence.
  • Learn to express themselves clearly, concisely, and creatively.
  • Learn to perfect editing and revision skills.

Rationale. The study of literature and the practice of expository and creative writing strengthen important skills while engaging students in significant historical, ethical and aesthetic debates. Students who study literature learn to read critically, form interpretations, and make arguments based on evidence. Students who study writing learn to express themselves clearly, concisely and creatively while also perfecting their editing and revision skills. Students who pursue the minor in English will graduate with an increased command of language and with incisive critical skills that will serve them well in their chosen career or post-graduate work.

Credits required. 18-19.

Minor coordinator. Professor Helen Kapstein (hkapstein@jjay.cuny.edu). Department of English

Additional Information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College in September 2008 or thereafter must complete the minor in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the minor. A copy of the earlier version can be obtained in the 2007–2008 Undergraduate Bulletin, available at http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/bulletins/undergraduatebulletin20072008.pdf.

Requirements. To receive a minor in English a student must complete 18 credits with at least 3 credits at or above the 300-level. Students may apply a maximum of two 200-level, general education literature courses (LIT 230, LIT 231, LIT 232, LIT 233, LIT 236, LIT 237, LIT 239) toward the minor. Every student must take LIT 260 Introduction to Literary Study to earn the minor in English. A maximum of two courses can overlap with a student’s major, other minors or programs.

Part One. Required Course

LIT 260Introduction to Literary Study

3

Subtotal: 3

Part Two. Electives

Select five

At least one course must be at or above the 300-level.

The following list is illustrative and not exhaustive. Students should consult the current course schedule for offerings in Literature [LIT] and English [ENG]. These will include literature, film, and writing courses. Students who transfer in courses in these areas should consult with the Minor Coordinator.

Literature

LIT 203New York City in Literature

3

LIT 204Outlaws

3

LIT 212Literature of the African World

3

LIT 219The Word as Weapon

LIT 223/AFR 223African-American Literature

3

LIT 239Science in the Making

3

LIT 230Ancient Literature: Expressions of the Living Past

3

LIT 232Reading the Modern World

3

LIT 233This is America: Stories of Promise, Power, and Protest

3

LIT 236Literary Perspectives on Culture & Globalization

3

LIT 237Literature as Witness

3

LIT 243Rights, Wrongs and Literature in Action

3

LIT 265Foundations of U.S. Latinx Literature

3

LIT 267Latinx Horror and Gothic in Literature and Film

3

LIT 268Latinx Graphic Novel

3

LIT 270Reading and Writing Children's Literature

LIT 275The Language of Film

3

LIT 283New York City in Film

3

LIT 284Film and Society

3

LIT 285The Rebel in Film

3

LIT 286The Horror Film

3

LIT 287Selected Topics in Literature

3

LIT 300Text and Context

3

LIT 305Foundations of Literature and Law

3

LIT 309Contemporary Fiction

3

LIT 311Literature and Ethics

3

LIT 313Shakespeare

3

LIT 314Shakespeare and Justice

3

LIT 315American Literature and the Law

3

LIT 316Gender and Identity in Literary Traditions

3

LIT 319Law and Justice in European Medieval Literature

3

LIT 323The Crime Film

3

LIT 324Road Movies

3

LIT 325Science Fiction Film

3

LIT 326Crime, Punishment and Justice in U.S. Literature

3

LIT 327Crime, Punishment and Justice in World Literature

3

LIT 328Film Criticism

3

LIT 329Documentary Film and Media

3

LIT 331Steven Spielberg

3

LIT 342Perspectives on Literature and Human Rights

3

LIT 344Caribbean Literature and Culture

3

LIT 346Cultures in Conflict

3

LIT 348Native American Literature

3

LIT 352New Fiction

3

LIT 353Comic Books and Graphic Novels: Investigating a Literary Medium

3

LIT 357Latinx Street Literature

3

LIT 360Mythology in Literature

3

LIT 362The Bible as Literature

3

LIT 366Writing Nature: Literature and Ecology

3

LIT 370Topics in Ancient Literature

3

LIT 371Topics in Medieval Literature

3

LIT 372Topics in Early Modern Literature

3

LIT 373Topics in Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-century Literature

3

LIT 374Topics in Nineteenth-century Literature

3

LIT 375Topics in Twentieth-century Literature

3

LIT 379Selected Historical Topics in Literature

3

LIT 380Advanced Selected Topics in Literature

3

LIT 383Gender and Sexuality in U.S. Latinx Literature

3

LIT 389Independent Study 300-level

3

LIT 400Senior Seminar in Literature

3

LIT 401Special Topics

3

LIT 405Senior Seminar in Literature and Law

3

LIT 409Seminar in U.S. Latinx Literature

3

LIT 489Independent Study 400-level

3

LLS 270Afro-Latinx Literature

3

LLS 273Latinx Film and Media

3

LLS 362Entangled Tongues: Bilingualism in U.S. Latinx Literature

3

LLS 363Il-Legal Subjects: U.S. Latinx Literature and the Law

3

LLS 364Ethical Strains in U.S. Latinx Literature

3

 

Writing

ENG 212Introduction to Creative Writing

3

ENG 215Poetry Writing and Reading

3

ENG 216Fiction Writing

3

ENG 221Screenwriting for Film, Television, and Internet

3

ENG 228/ANT 228Introduction to Language

3

ENG 230Journalism in the 21st Century

3

ENG 233News Reporting and Writing

4

ENG 235Writing for Management, Business and Public Administration

3

ENG 242Contemporary Media in Everyday Life

3

ENG 245Creative Nonfiction

3

ENG 247Creative Expression and Human Nature

3

ENG 250Writing for Legal Studies

3

ENG 255Argument Writing

3

ENG 260Grammar, Syntax, and Style: Writing for All Disciplines

3

ENG 313Advanced Fiction Writing

3

ENG 316Advanced Argument Writing and Response: Theory and Practice

3

ENG 320Writing Workshop in Autobiography: An Eye on the Self

3

ENG 328/ANT 328Forensic Linguistics: Language as Evidence in the Courts

3

ENG 334Intermediate News Reporting and Writing

4

ENG 336Digital Journalism

4

ENG 346Feminist Rhetorics: Histories, Intersections, Challenges

3

ENG 350Advanced Legal Writing: Advocacy and Oral Argument

3

ENG 363Podcasting: Social Impact, Style and Practice

4

ENG 380Selected Topics in Creative Writing

3

Subtotal: 15

Total Credit Hours: 18-19