English-BA

Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts - English

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the BA will have the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• Interpret literary texts using a variety of techniques and critical frameworks, as well as synthesize complex literary arguments and interpretations.
• Compose and communicate effectively in diverse contexts and in a variety of academic, creative and professional genres.
• Describe and utilize numerous theories and methodologies of reading and interpreting literary texts.
• Consider critically and analytically to address complex problems, address diverse viewpoints and explicate various cultural and social perspectives.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English is to fulfill and extend the mission and philosophy of Great Basin College. The BA program provides students with skills and knowledge in literary analysis, composition, creative writing, and cultural study. The program is designed to provide students with written and oral communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as skills necessary to understand and communicate in and with various cultures.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Professional Skills and Career Paths

Upon completion of the BA, students will be able to pursue careers in a variety of fields in both the public, private, and non-profit sectors including public relations, business, marketing, law, sales, management, education, and other fields in which communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness are valued. Students with a BA in English may also pursue graduate education in literature, English, creative writing, composition and rhetoric, law, library science, and medicine among others.

Admission to the Program

Students must complete the application form for the BA in English to be formally admitted to the program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; applications received prior to February 15 will be assigned the current catalog year, while applications received after February 15 will be assigned to the following catalog year. The form is available online on the GBC website and in hard copy in the Arts and Letters Department on the Elko campus. Transfer students must provide official transcripts from all other accredited institutions attended to complete the application process, and applications must be complete prior to processing. To ensure adequate time for processing transcripts, we request that transfer students apply to the institution and the program eight weeks prior to the start date of the semester they plan to begin coursework.

Successful applicants to the program will have:

• Completed an A.A. or A.S. degree (consisting of at least 60 credits) from an accredited institution of higher learning. Students may apply to the BA program in the semester prior to receiving their degree.
• Completed ENG 102 or its equivalent.
• Completed at least 9 credit hours of courses (or their transfer equivalents) from the following list:

  Course #	Course Title	Credits
  ENG 203	Intro to Literary Study	3 Credits
  ENG 205	Intro to Creative Writing	3 Credits
  ENG 221	Writing Fiction	3 Credits
  ENG 223	Themes of Literature	3 Credits
  ENG 240	Digital Literacy/Composition	3 Credits
  ENG 250	Intro Children's Literature	3 Credits
  ENG 259	Speculative Fict/Fant Lit	3 Credits
  ENG 261	Introduction to Poetry	3 Credits
  ENG 267	Intro Women in Literature	3 Credits

Advisement

Every BA in English student has a faculty member teaching in the program assigned as an advisor, and we recommend that students meet with their advisor each semester to ensure progress toward the degree. Students, once admitted to the program, will be contacted with information regarding advising. In addition, students pursuing an A.A. or A.S. degree with interest in enrolling in the program are encouraged to make their interests known to the program coordinator, who will help advise them toward successful application. To obtain the name of your advisor, speak to the program coordinator, or set up an appointment, please contact the Arts and Letters Department administrative assistant at 775.327.2234.

Maintaining Good Standing

In order to maintain good standing in the program, students must:

• Maintain a 2.5 GPA.
• Maintain a cumulative C average in all upper-division English courses.

Students not meeting the above criteria may be dismissed from the program.

Academic Honesty

Students must comply with student conduct and academic honesty policies in the GBC catalog and NSHE Code as well as the stated academic honesty policies of instructors; incidents of student misconduct and/or academic dishonesty will be reported to the vice president for student and academic affairs and the program supervisor. Disciplinary actions may include a written warning, reprimand, college probation, suspension, or expulsion from the program.

Disciplinary actions will be determined by the nature and severity of the misconduct and may be imposed in any order. In the event the student’s status changes to probationary, a plan of misconduct will be created for reinstatement to the program. Failure to follow this plan will result in expulsion from the program.