Communication Arts and Literature - Education (BS)

Summary

Students are prepared to teach English and Speech/Communication in grades 5-12. Students complete courses from English, Communication Studies, and Education on lesson, course, and program preparation. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

77

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Education and Training

This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.

Licensure/Certification Disclosure

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Required General Education

A course in communication principles to develop skills in the analysis and presentation of speeches.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1B

Nature, functions, responsibilities and effects of the media in contemporary society.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

The course explores communication with people from other cultures, why misunderstandings occur and how to build clearer and more productive cross-cultural relationships.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Addresses drugs and drug use from psychological, behavioral, pharmacological, historical, legal and clinical perspectives - while examining the effects of drug use on personal health and social functioning.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-05

Study of interpersonal skills, motivation, and group skills. Applied to educational settings. There will be 30 hours of field experience outside of class (collaborative for KSP 222 and 220W). Meets State of Minnesota human relations requirement for teacher licensure.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07, GE-11

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Literature, Humanities, Film. - Choose 4 Credit(s). Choose one course in literature, or in humanities, or in film from the following list.

Study and analysis of elements of prose, poetry and drama in English from earlier periods through contemporary. Emphasizes critical reading of literature. May include such genres as short story, novel, memoir, nonfiction, biography, autobiography, poem, play, screenplay.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Study and analysis of prose, poetry, drama, and film from various genres, time periods, and geographies. Emphasizes critical reading of and writing about literature.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

Goal Areas: GE-06

The course purpose is to increase students' knowledge of international children's literature that is written in English or translated into English. Students will be introduced to individual books, authors, and methods of responding to literature. This course studies children's literature set in countries such as Afghanistan, WWII Germany,and the Dominican Republic.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

This course will introduce students to Shakespeare's plays (histories, tragedies, and comedies) and sonnets. Students will read, analyze, and develop interpretations of these works, learning about Shakespeare's language, historical situations, and world views.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Courses will explore literary representations of, and literary contributions made by, under-represented peoples. Students will develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills, and increased appreciation of the diversity of human experience. Potential topics include: Multi-Ethnic Literature, Literature and Disability. May be repeated as topics change.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Courses will introduce students to works of literature from a variety of world cultures. Designed to increase knowledge of world cultures and appreciation and understanding of cultural differences in representation, and in seeing, believing, and being. Emphasizes critical thinking, reading, and writing. May be repeated with different topics.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-08

Courses will focus on some characteristic ways in which literature addresses and explores the ethical dimensions of human society and the relationships between works and their cultural contexts. Emphasizes critical thinking, reading and writing. May be repeated as topics change.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-09

Course will explore specialized topics in literature; may be repeated under a different topic.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06

Any 100-200 Film course. Any 100-200 Humanities course.

Major Common Core

* Note on COMM 421: 4 credits is the norm. Less credits dependent on experience in consultation with CAL advisor.

A course blending theory and practice to help individuals build effective relationships through improved communication.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-02

The course fulfills secondary licensure requirements for Communication Arts and Literature. First, the course covers teaching methods and materials needed to develop units for communication courses in grades 5-12. Second, the course covers methods and techniques in the development of competitive speech programs in grades 5-12.

Prerequisites: none

An introduction to literary genres and to the techniques of writing about literature.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

A review of traditional grammar designed to prepare students for advanced work in language and grammar. This course will run for a half-semester.

Prerequisites: none

Topics in British literature covering various periods, literary movements, and themes. The course will study works of fiction, poetry, and drama, and their historical and cultural contexts. Potential topics include Victorian Literature & Art, Gothic Literature, British Colonial & Post-Colonial Literature, Performing Identity in Early Drama, Monsters and Magic, and others. This course may be repeated with change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

This topics course examines some of the major developments in US literature. In reading a variety of canonical and noncanonical works, students will develop a greater understanding of US literature within specific sociocultural transformations and attendant literary movements. The course may be taught thematically, with possible topics including postcolonialism, environmental studies, immigration, and popular culture. May be repeated with change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

Theory, practice, and materials for teaching English language arts in middle school and high school, with particular attention to literature.

Prerequisites: none

Theory, practice, and materials for teaching English language arts in middle school and high school, with particular attention to language and writing.

Prerequisites: none

The English language considered structurally (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics) and sociolinguistically (geographical and social dialects, gender issues, acquisition of first and second language, standard and nonstandard forms).

Prerequisites: none

This course examines Shakespeare's poetry and dramatic works within their social and historical context. The plays will be considered as both literary texts and dramatic performances.

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

World Literature - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).

A study of selected novels from a variety of time periods and cultures, including Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Prerequisites: none

Selected works of literature for students in grades 5-12 from a variety of countries and cultures.

Prerequisites: none

Young Adult Literature - Choose 3 Credit(s).

A survey of literature for students in grades 5-12, fiction, and non-fiction, and methods of teaching this literature.

Prerequisites: none

Survey of books suitable for the Middle School classroom, covering a variety of topics and genres.

Prerequisites: none

Aesthetic Response - Choose 4 Credit(s).

This course is designed to develop the skills to complete the artistic process of studying literature through performance and sharing that study with an audience.

Prerequisites: none

An introduction to writing poetry and short prose. This course does not assume previous creative writing experience on the part of the student.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Other Graduation Requirements

See the K-12 Teaching Programs section of the catalog for admission requirements for professional education and for a list of required professional education courses.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

Spring - 15 Credits

Second Year

Fall - 15 Credits

The course explores communication with people from other cultures, why misunderstandings occur and how to build clearer and more productive cross-cultural relationships.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07, GE-08

Diverse Cultures: Purple

An introduction to literary genres and to the techniques of writing about literature.

Prerequisites: ENG 101

Spring - 16 Credits

Teacher candidates will develop skills to access information and integrate technology to improve learning for PK-12 students. Teacher candidates research, select, and evaluate information about diverse populations to design classroom applications using a wide variety of instructional technology.

Prerequisites: none

Study of interpersonal skills, motivation, and group skills. Applied to educational settings. There will be 30 hours of field experience outside of class (collaborative for KSP 222 and 220W). Meets State of Minnesota human relations requirement for teacher licensure.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-07, GE-11

Diverse Cultures: Gold

Teacher candidates develop understanding of cognitive, language, personal and social development for implications on teaching in the inclusive classroom. Dispositions and skills will be developed for recognizing and accommodating exceptionality in student learning.

Prerequisites: none

A review of traditional grammar designed to prepare students for advanced work in language and grammar. This course will run for a half-semester.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to develop the skills to complete the artistic process of studying literature through performance and sharing that study with an audience.

Prerequisites: none

Topics in British literature covering various periods, literary movements, and themes. The course will study works of fiction, poetry, and drama, and their historical and cultural contexts. Potential topics include Victorian Literature & Art, Gothic Literature, British Colonial & Post-Colonial Literature, Performing Identity in Early Drama, Monsters and Magic, and others. This course may be repeated with change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

Third Year

Fall - 18 Credits

A course blending theory and practice to help individuals build effective relationships through improved communication.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-02

This topics course examines some of the major developments in US literature. In reading a variety of canonical and noncanonical works, students will develop a greater understanding of US literature within specific sociocultural transformations and attendant literary movements. The course may be taught thematically, with possible topics including postcolonialism, environmental studies, immigration, and popular culture. May be repeated with change of topic.

Prerequisites: none

The course is designed to guide K-12 and 5-12 teacher candidates through the design, implementation, and assessment of a standards-based curriculum. Candidates will analyze standards, create assessments, and design and delivery of instruction in a field-site.

Prerequisites: none

Course content addresses formal and informal, standardized evaluation of learner achievement in the classroom and programmatic evaluation. Assigned projects will accommodate the student's present/future professional career track.

Prerequisites: none

The English language considered structurally (phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics) and sociolinguistically (geographical and social dialects, gender issues, acquisition of first and second language, standard and nonstandard forms).

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 15 Credits

Theory, practice, and materials for teaching English language arts in middle school and high school, with particular attention to literature.

Prerequisites: none

A survey of literature for students in grades 5-12, fiction, and non-fiction, and methods of teaching this literature.

Prerequisites: none

The course fulfills secondary licensure requirements for Communication Arts and Literature. First, the course covers teaching methods and materials needed to develop units for communication courses in grades 5-12. Second, the course covers methods and techniques in the development of competitive speech programs in grades 5-12.

Prerequisites: none

A study of selected novels from a variety of time periods and cultures, including Eastern and Western Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Prerequisites: none

Fourth Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Theory, practice, and materials for teaching English language arts in middle school and high school, with particular attention to language and writing.

Prerequisites: none

This course examines Shakespeare's poetry and dramatic works within their social and historical context. The plays will be considered as both literary texts and dramatic performances.

Prerequisites: none

Teacher candidates will further develop processes for creating and sustaining a classroom learning environment that enables success for all learners, including interacting with diverse families, school colleagues, and representatives from community agencies to support student engagement and learning. Co-reqs: KSP 440 & KSP 442

Prerequisites: none

Teacher candidates will develop skills in differentiated instruction, reading and content-based literacy in inclusive classrooms. Teacher candidates will integrate prior knowledge of diverse learners, developmental models of learning, and curriculum and instruction into a comprehensive understanding of teaching. Co-reqs: KSP 440 & KSP 442

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 12 Credits

Content focus is on professional rights, responsibilities, and development; student rights and responsibilities; and legal issues regarding data privacy and confidentiality. Skills of professional development, inquiry, reflection, coaching, and collaboration will be developed, practiced, and monitored.

Prerequisites: none

Student teaching in the secondary school including weekly seminar for 5-12 majors. Prereq: KSP 420 and admission to student teaching.

Prerequisites: admission to student teaching.

Policies

Grade Policy. Students must earn a "C-" or better for a course to apply to their major.

P/N Grading Policy. Courses leading to a major in English may not be taken on a P/N basis, except where P/N is mandatory.

English Majors. Students majoring in English may elect one of the following minors: Film Studies, Linguistics, and Technical Communication. However, a course used to meet the requirements of an English major, minor, or certificate cannot also be used to meet the requirements of another English major, minor, or certificate. Consequently, because Technical Communication shares required courses, students may elect only one of them: BA English Studies Technical Communication Emphasis, BS English Technical Communication Option, the certificate in Technical Communication, or the Technical Communication minor.

Residency Requirements. Students pursuing a major and/or minor in the Department of English must complete at least 50% (half) of the required credits for the major and/or minor at Minnesota State Mankato.

Limits to Independent Work. Students pursuing a major or minor in the Department of English may earn no more than 33% (one-third) of the required credits through supervised independent work such as independent studies or internships, not including capstone experiences.

Other. Students are required to apply to Professional Education which may have additional policies.