Department of English and World Languages

David Hanson, Department Head

The Department of English and World Languages at Southeastern Louisiana University fosters students’ abilities to think analytically and creatively, write clearly and cogently, and integrate critical judgment with imagination in reading texts. The Department’s tradition of concern for the individual student sustains a strong sense of intellectual community, diversity and vitality. To round out its commitment to education that is both engaged with the world and personally rewarding, the Department sponsors cultural events, serves external communities, and promotes global awareness.

English faculty teach courses in basic composition and literature supporting the University’s general education core, and undergraduate and graduate courses in literary studies, composition, creative writing, professional writing, publishing studies, pedagogy, and linguistics. All curricula are designed to provide humanistic education that prepares students for graduate study and develops their practical skills for professions, including education, law, professional writing, and the arts. For graduation, the Department requires a minimum of 120 semester hours properly distributed among the various disciplines of the University.

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree in English must earn, at Southeastern, at least half of the semester hours required in the major field.

The Department offers a B.A. in World Languages with concentrations in Spanish, Spanish Education, French, French Education, and Dual Language. Students may choose one or more concentrations. The major in World Languages features interdisciplinary, experiential curricula that prepare students for careers to meet today’s workforce demands and allow them to interact and participate in a global environment. All students must complete sixteen hours of core requirements: FLAN 3700 , FLAN 4010 , FLAN 4040 , HUM 3140 , HUM 4010 (3 hours each), and FLAN 4980 (1 hour). All other required courses are listed within the individual concentrations.

Placement in English

The placement procedure, outlined below, ensures (1) that each entering freshman will begin their study of English at the highest level for which he/she is prepared at the time he/she enters Southeastern, and (2) that each one who is assigned placement in English will automatically receive credit for the prerequisite course or courses.

ENGL 1000 : Students without ACT scores or with an ACT English score of 17 or below. Must be taken concurrently with ENGL 1010 . Credit for ENGL 1000 does not count toward graduation.
ENGL 1010 : ACT English score of 18 or higher.
ENGL 1020 : ACT English score of 29 or higher. Credit for ENGL 1010 with grade “P” upon successful completion of ENGL 1020 .
ENGL 1017 (Honors): Minimum ACT Composite score of 24 or minimum ACT English score of 24. Credit for ENGL 1017 in lieu of ENGL 1010 .
ENGL 1027 (Honors): A minimum grade of “C” in ENGL 1017 or demonstration of superior ability in ENGL 1010 or credit for ENGL 1010 plus a minimum ACT Composite score of 24 or a minimum ACT English score of 29. Credit for ENGL 1027 in lieu of ENGL 1020 .
English 2000-3000-level courses: A minimum combined ACT English and Composite score of 65 AND an advanced-standing examination (a composition administered and evaluated by the Department of English). Credit for ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020 with grade “P” upon successful completion of ENGL 2107 , ENGL 2290 , ENGL 2300 , ENGL 2310 , ENGL 2320 , ENGL 2330 , ENGL 2917 , ENGL 2927 , ENGL 3000 , or ENGL 3220 .

Majors

The major in English consists of forty-two approved semester hours.

Honors Diploma in the Discipline

For information on earning Sophomore Honors Distinction, Senior Honors Distinction, or the Honors Diploma, please consult The Honors Program section of this catalog, the Director of the Honors Program, and/or your Department Head.

Minors

The Department offers minors in English, Creative Writing, Professional Writing, and Gender Studies that consist of 18 hours, and an Interdisciplinary Minor in Publishing that consists of 21 hours.

English Minor , Creative Writing Minor , Professional Writing Minor , Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor , Interdisciplinary Minor in Publishing

Entrance into Foreign Language Courses

If you have taken two or more years of foreign language in High School or have grown up speaking one of the foreign languages taught in the department, you may seek entrance into World Languages courses numbered 1020, 2010, 2020, and advanced level (3000 and above) by receiving a passing grade on the departmental entrance test. Your test score will determine your placement in the appropriate course. If you place into a 2000-level course, you will receive 6 hours of elementary language credit upon successful completion of a 2000-level course in the same language. If you place into a 3000-level course, you will receive 12 hours of intermediate and elementary language credit upon successful completion of a 3000-level course in the same language. Placement test scores expire after one year. This means that you have one year from the date that you take the placement test to register for the course you place into. Placement tests are offered in the FLRC (Foreign Language Resource Center). Tests are free and may be taken only once. For more information about the placement test, email: FLRC@southeastern.edu

Majors

All World Language majors are encouraged to participate in a study abroad in a country where the language they are majoring in is spoken. A minimum of six (6) credit hours should be obtained through study abroad. World Language majors are, therefore, urged to complete a minimum of one summer Study Abroad program. To gain desired fluency, a full semester or a year abroad is recommended. Course approval for Study Abroad programs other than Southeastern programs must be obtained from the Department Head before departure.

Minors

Students wishing to minor in a foreign language offered in the department are required to complete twenty-one (21) semester hours, nine (9) of which must be at the 3000-level or above.

In addition to a minor in a foreign language, the Department administers two interdisciplinary minors: Francophone and Creole Ethnic Studies and Hispanic Ethnic Studies . These minors consist of eighteen (18) hours each.

Honors Diploma in the Discipline

For information on earning Sophomore Honors Distinction, Senior Honors Distinction, or the Honors Diploma, please consult the University Honors Program section of this catalog, the Director of the Honors Program, and/or your Department Head.

Foreign Study Opportunities

The Department maintains ties with institutions of higher education in many countries. Summer course work through Southeastern Louisiana University is offered regularly in a variety of international locations.

Foreign Language Resource Center (FLRC)

The Foreign Language Resource Center (FLRC) at Southeastern Louisiana University is a computer lab, teaching facility, and study space designed specifically for students taking courses within the Department of World Languages and Cultures. The mission of the FLRC is to provide the students, faculty, and the community of Southeastern with an encouraging space for the promotion, study, and teaching of world languages and cultures. The students and faculty have access to various updated technology tools, educational resources, and to additional materials that accompany their current course textbook. The FLRC staff members are available to assist both students and faculty and tutoring is normally available to students in the various languages offered within the department.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

International students at any level of proficiency, with beginning to advanced English skills, are invited to participate in our English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Classes can be taken for credit (EGIS 970 , EGIS 980 , EGIS 1070 , EGIS 1080 ) or non-credit and are organized by levels of English mastery, determined by an initial placement test. In addition to attending class, students are encouraged to visit the ESL Computer Lab for conversational practice with a native English speaker, viewing and discussing English-language films and television programs, and accessing educational computer programs. For more information about ESL, email: esl@southeastern.edu.