the longest island

BA in English with Concentration in Literature

The concentration in Literature emphasizes the rigorous study of literary and cultural texts both from British and American literatures and from non-Western traditions historically excluded from literary studies. In addition to learning about literary traditions, students hone their skills in critical thinking, textual analysis and persuasive writing.

ABOUT THE FIELD OF ENGLISH LITERATURE

With a degree in literature, students are well prepared to pursue graduate studies in English or professional degrees such as law, journalism, library science, education, social work and teaching.

The B.A. in English with a Concentration in Literature also is excellent preparation for a wide range of careers including the following: acting, business, communications, editing, grant writing, government, politics, proofreading, publishing, screenwriting, social work, teaching, translation and writing.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted to this program you must:

Have a minimum overall grade-point high school average of 75% or higher
Submit a high school transcript
Transfer students must present an overall grade-point average of 2.0
Submit a completed application to the Office of Admissions (see Submitting an Application for Admission)

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

All applicants must apply for admission to Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. Please apply online at My LIU or use the Apply Now link in the top navigation bar. For more information on the admissions process, visit the Office of Admissions Web site or call 718-488-1011.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Continued enrollment in this program is contingent upon maintaining an overall grade-point average of 2.0 and a grade-point average of 2.0 in the concentration.

For more information about the program, contact the English Department’s undergraduate advisor, Wayne Berninger. For information about English-major advisement and mentoring, visit the Undergraduate Advisement page. For further information about the BA and the other programs and activities of the Department, visit The Longest Island (the English Department’s blog).

COURSE OF STUDY

TAKE THE FOLLOWING:

English 128 British Literature I (3 credits)
English 129 British Literature II (3 credits)
English 158 Literature of the United States I (3 credits)
English 159 Literature of the United States II (3 credits)
English 169 Non-Western / Post-Colonial Literature (3 credits)
English 190 Senior Thesis in Literature (3 credits)

TAKE FOUR ADDITIONAL ENGLISH COURSES—WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS:

One must be in Creative Writing. Choose from 104, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168.
One must be in Writing & Rhetoric. Choose from 126, 163, 168, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175.
The other two may be from any concentration.
The only way English 168 can satisfy two different requirements is if you take it TWICE.
Honors students may be able to count Honors electives (if taught by English professors).

BA in English with Concentration in Creative Writing

In the Creative Writing concentration, you will practice writing in various literary genres, learn traditional forms of expression as well as experimental approaches and develop your own style. In a supportive workshop environment, students respond to each other’s work and develop comprehensive individual portfolios of writing by the end of each semester. You can select workshops from the following genres: poetry, fiction, playwriting, screenwriting, memoir and the personal essay. Creative writers from any of the concentrations have the opportunity to submit their work to the English Department’s literary magazine, Downtown Brooklyn.

ABOUT THE FIELD OF CREATIVE WRITING

The B.A. in English with a Concentration in Creative Writing prepares students to publish their work in all media: books, magazines and literary journals. Because the Brooklyn Campus is so close to many venues for performance and literary events, students are encouraged to experience the world of imaginative writing at first hand.

This degree prepares students for graduate work at the Master of Fine Arts level, as well as for programs in law, journalism and education. In addition, creative writing students are well prepared for a wide range of careers such as: acting broadcasting, communications, marketing, proofreading, public relations, publishing, screenwriting, teaching, Web design and writing.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted to this program you must:

Have a minimum overall grade-point high school average of 75% or higher
Submit a high school transcript
Transfer students must present an overall grade-point average of 2.0
Submit a completed application to the Office of Admissions (see Submitting an Application for Admission)

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Continued enrollment in this program is contingent upon maintaining an overall grade-point average of 2.0 and a grade-point average of 2.0 in the concentration.

COURSE OF STUDY

TAKE THE FOLLOWING:

English 164 Explorations in Creative Writing (3 credits)
English 191 Senior Thesis in Creative Writing (3 credits)

TAKE FOUR WRITING WORKSHOPS. CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING:

English 104 Introduction to Creative Writing (3 credits)
English 165 Poetry Workshop (3 credits / CW may take twice)
English 166 Fiction Workshop (3 credits / CW may take twice)
English 167 Playwriting Workshop (3 credits / CW may take twice)
English 168 Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 credits / CW may take twice)

TAKE FOUR ADDITIONAL ENGLISH COURSES—WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS:

One must be in Writing & Rhetoric. Choose from 126, 163, 168, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175.
The other three must be in Literature. One of those three must be from 129, 159.
The only way English 168 can satisfy two different requirements is if you take it TWICE.
Honors students may be able to count Honors electives (if taught by English professors).

Why Major in English?

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British Library of Political and Economic Science
No known copyright restrictions.

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Today’s professional must interpret and manipulate complex information, so employers are attracted to job candidates who read carefully, think creatively, and write clearly and persuasively. English majors have a distinct advantage. We believe the English major program at LIU Brooklyn helps students build a strong foundation for success in advertising, business, education, journalism, law, politics, and a wide range of other careers.

Majoring in English is good preparation for law school. English majors from LIU Brooklyn have been accepted into such prestigious law schools as George Washington University, Boston University, and Fordham University.

According to the Educational Testing Service, English majors are well prepared not only for law but also advertising, entertainment, politics, screenwriting, acting, public relations, politics, journalism, and fundraising (among other fields). In addition to these careers, many English majors find the most meaningful expression of their interests in the field of education.

An interesting article on the subject: "Six Myths About Choosing a College Major."

If you are interested in majoring in English, contact the English Department’s Undergraduate Advisor.

Transfer Credits

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San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
No known copyright restrictions.

There are two ways for undergraduates to transfer credits from another institution to LIU Brooklyn.

1) If you are a transfer student, you may be able to transfer credits earned at another institution to LIU Brooklyn.

Admissions may grant credit for some LIU Brooklyn courses. Other transfer credits may be listed as NE, which stands for "Not Equivalent." This simply means that based on the limited information appearing on your transcript, the Admissions Counselor is unable to tell whether those courses are equivalent to particular LIU Brooklyn courses.

If you have transfer credits marked NE, you should set up an appointment with the Department Chair of the respective department, and request that he/she evaluate the credits. Take with you a copy of the course description from your previous institution's catalog and, if possible, a copy of the course syllabus. If the Department Chair approves your request, he/she should write a memo to the appropriate Dean requesting that the transfer credits be accepted in lieu of particular LIU Brooklyn courses. The Dean, not the Department Chair, grants this permission and forwards a copy of the memo with his/her signature to the Registrar. Make sure you get a copy of the signed memo to keep, and give a copy to your advisor.

For evaluation of transfer credits in English, contact the English Department's Undergraduate Advisor.

2) Matriculated students at LIU Brooklyn may also take courses at another institution and have credits transferred to LIU Brooklyn under the following conditions.

The other institution must be a four-year accredited institution (two-year community colleges are unacceptable.).

The institution must not be within a fifty-mile radius of LIU Brooklyn (except as noted).

Students may be permitted to take specialized courses not offered at LIU Brooklyn (e.g., Japanese, a course in Graham dance technique, Medieval stained glass windows).

Students are not permitted to take courses at another institution that are offered at LIU Brooklyn during the term requested or that will be offered during the student's expected matriculation at LIU Brooklyn.

Students must file an Application to Take Courses at Another Institution (available in the Dean's Office, M306) with the Registrar. Students must have the relevant Department Chair verify LIU Brooklyn equivalency and sign the form. The Dean must then grant permission.

Only credits for courses in which you earned C or better may be transferred back to LIU Brooklyn.

Rachel Reno: New Book

Rachel Reno (formerly Jackson), an alumna (2011) of the Creative Writing MFA program, recently published a collection of poetry entitled Washing Out My Dandruff Thoughts. The cost on Amazon is $15, but if you want to purchase a signed copy, email Rachel directly.

English Department Literary Magazines

Brooklyn Paramount
print, inactive (2010-2015), MFA Program

Downtown Brooklyn
online, occasional, English Department

visceral brooklyn
inactive (2014-2017), MFA Program

Program Video: The Undergraduate English Major at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University

Video by Megan Donis.

Brooklyn Paramount -- Literary Magazine (Print) of the Creative Writing MFA Program

Brooklyn Paramount was founded in 2011 by the Creative Writing MFA Program. The magazine is devoted to work by students in the program, alumni of the program, visiting writers and core faculty. As of summer 2015, there have been five hand-bound issues, edited as follows.

#1, Lewis Warsh.
#2, Lisa Rogal and Sarah Anne Wallen.
#3, Michael Grove & Sarah Anne Wallen.
#4, Michael Grove, Oliver St. John, and Gabrielle Robinson.
#5, Oliver St. John and Gabrielle Robinson.

Contributors to the first four issues include Stephanie Gray, Jamey Jones, Uche Nduka, Willie Perdomo, Nel del Guidici, Daniel Owen, Tony Iantosca, Anne Waldman, Wang Ping, Wendi Williams, Barbara Henning, Tamara Lebron, Christine Gans, Mary Walker, Tejan Green, Patia Braithwaite, Gulay Isik, Daniel Soto and many others.

The English Minor

WHY CHOOSE A MINOR AT ALL?

Although it is not a requirement for graduation, a minor gives you a way to pursue your interests in a field other than your major. In addition, a minor gives you a way to show future employers or graduate school admissions committees the diversity of your interests and skills; therefore, you might want to think about your future goals when choosing a minor. For example, if you are headed towards business and technology, you might want to minor in Computer Science or Economics. If you are headed toward graduate study and have a specific interest in gender issues, you might choose to minor in Gender Studies. If you are interested in law school or public service, consider minoring in Philosophy, Political Science, or Urban Studies. Your advisor can help you think about other possibilities, such as Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Psychology, Social Work, or Journalism. For more information about the benefits of choosing a minor, see this page on the LIU Brooklyn website.

HOW TO DECLARE A MINOR AT LIU BROOKLYN

A minor consists of twelve credits at or above the 100-level in one department (fifteen credits in some departments). Some departments may not allow minors, so you should check before you make your decision. It is also possible to develop an interdisciplinary minor with the approval of the respective department chairs and deans. In order to have your minor listed on your transcript, obtain a "Request for Minor" form, available in the Registrar's Office. Fill out this form, listing the courses you have completed in your minor subject. Meet with the minor Department Chair and have him/her sign the form, certifying that you have completed the requirements for a Minor in that subject. Then submit the form to the Registrar.

WHY CHOOSE TO MINOR IN ENGLISH?

You enjoy reading, analyzing, and writing about literature, and no matter what you do after graduation, you already know that literature will be a part of your life. To prepare for that lifetime of reading, take some extra literature courses!

You like to think and write creatively, and you want to be a poet, fiction writer, or playwright—on top of whatever it is you end up doing for a living. Get started now with some creative-writing courses!

You want a career in law, public relations, education, politics, advertising, journalism, web marketing, or publishing—or something else. Whatever your profession, you know it will require you to think critically and write persuasively. Get that skill set ready by taking some advanced courses in writing and rhetoric!

You want to make a difference in your community and persuade others to help. You're going to need to develop your expertise in argumentative writing. Better head for the English Department!

One final possibility: You want to pass on your love for English by teaching young people to be careful readers and good writers. If this is your goal, you're going to need more than a minor. Double-major in education and English and get certified to teach in the public schools.

HOW TO MINOR IN ENGLISH

The English minor consists of four English courses numbered above 100. According to the LIU Brooklyn Undergraduate Bulletin, "Any minor satisfies the distribution requirement." That means no what your major is, you can earn a minor in English, and it will also satisfy your distribution requirement!

For more information about the English minor (or the English-major program), contact the English Department's Undergraduate Advisor.

Chia-Lun Chang & Aimee Herman: Bone Bouquet Issue 6.1 Launch Reading at Berl's Brooklyn Poetry Shop

Chia-Lun Chang & Aimee Herman, alumni of the English Department's Creative Writing MFA program, will read, along with other contributors, at the launch party for Issue 6.1 of the magazine Bone Bouquet.

Berl's Brooklyn Poetry Shop
126A Front Street
DUMBO, Brooklyn

More info about the reading.