English: Undergraduate

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Harvey Hall, Room 206
Lahney Preston-Matto, Professor and Departrment Chair 
p – (516) 877-4037
f – (516) 877-4038
e – prestonmatto@adelphi.edu 
w – english.adelphi.edu

Faculty

Adelphi’s program in English encourages students to discover the pleasures and values of the written word in their own writing and that of acknowledged artists. The program invites each student to develop a sophisticated and thorough understanding of the work of important writers and the debates that shape the study of English. The program also provides a close look at the ways in which good writing gains its power.

The English curriculum emphasizes historical development by requiring students to take the three-semester survey called “Literature in English.” Students must also take a course in literary criticism and theory called “The Study of Literature.”

The program offers two major tracks: literature and creative writing. Each track allows students to build the cultural knowledge and linguistic skills that are requisite in any profession—administration, advertising, journalism, law, librarianship, writing, teaching, to name a few—in which language is the paramount tool.

Grading/Credits

A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required in ENG 231 , ENG 232 , ENG 233 , and ENG 250 .

Honors in English

Students graduating with a 3.5 GPA or higher in English courses are eligible for honors in English. The student graduating with the highest GPA in English courses (provided it is at least 3.5) receives the Koster Award and Departmental Honors. The Department of English also awards the Roundtable Prize for Graduate Studies, honors in creative writing, honors in English, and the Donald Everett Axinn Awards in Creative Writing for Poetry and Fiction, and the Dramatic Writing Award.

Scholar Teacher Education Program (STEP)

The English Department in association with the Adelphi University College of Education and Health Sciences offers a unique combined baccalaureate/master’s five year program (B.A. or B.S./MA) which allows a student to major in English and also fulfill courses in education that will lead to New York State teaching certification. See The Master of Arts Programs in English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies Education, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences .

Programs

• English: Creative Writing Track, B.A.
• English: Literature Track, B.A.

• English Minor

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