Undergraduate Programs
The Department of English and Philosophy offers students a challenging, thoughtful, and coherent curriculum in
- British, American, and World Literatures—taught by professors with their PhDs who privilege discussion over lecture and textual analysis over textbooks;
- Philosophy—designed by faculty who are as interested in Plato’s Republic as in the rigorous analysis of contemporary culture;
- Creative Writing—not simply a major but a degree combining the best in writers’ workshop and literary study; and
- Writing—technical, professional, and academic, online and in “smart” (technology) classrooms.
Degrees and Majors
The Department offers four majors:
- Bachelor of Arts, English (36 semester hours in major)
- Bachelor of Arts, English with Secondary Education Certification (36 semester hours in major, 27 semester hours in professional education)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Creative Writing (33 semester hours in major, 21 semester hours in Literature minor)
- Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy (36 semester hours in major)
Minors
Our majors are complemented by minors that offer students the “traditional” fields of literature, writing, and philosophy and also more specialized study in the literature of Antiquity, religious/sacred texts, and the voices of African-American prose writers and poets.
- English (21 semester hours)
- Writing (21 semester hours)
- Creative Writing (18 semester hours)
- Philosophy (18 semester hours)
- Classical Literary Studies (18 semester hours)
- Children's Literature (18 semester hours)
- Religious Studies (18 semester hours)
Advising and Mentoring
We advise our majors and minors individually in the Department of English and Philosophy. Students may choose their academic adviser—as we believe helping students plan a fall or spring schedule is only the beginning of the academic support and mentorship we provide. We seek to give our students sound academic and career advice as we understand that college not only cultivates the “life of the mind” but also prepares undergraduates to enter professional programs such as the law, graduate school in literary studies or another discipline, and/or the workforce.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, the international English Honor Society, confers distinction upon outstanding undergraduate students of English language and literature. The SFASU chapter, Phi Iota, was chartered in May 1964, and we induct members each regular academic semester. Besides the accolade of membership, Sigma Tau Delta can enrich students’ experiences at SFA by providing opportunities for leadership as well as for fellowship with other students and faculty. Applications are available each fall and spring.