SUNY Potsdam

Literature Concentration
37-40 credit hours.

The Literature Concentration provides students with a liberal arts back- ground through coursework emphasizing literature, literary analysis, and critical writing. Some graduates have continued on with careers in publishing, business, or government.

All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

		Credits
Department Core		10-11
LITR 100	Introduction to Literature
COMP 201	Intermediate Writing (4 credits)
COMM 105	Survey of Human Communication (3-4 credits)
Literature Core		9
LITR 200	Literary Traditions
LITR 201	Patterns of Literature
LITR 300	Literary Analysis

                       

Advanced Courses

18-20

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Any COMM, COMP, LITR, or LNGS course numbered 301-398 (3-4 credits)         Any 400-or 500-level COMM, COMP, LITR or LNGS course (3-4 credits)         Four upper-division LITR courses (12 credits)         At least two of these must be at the 400- or 500-level Note: In their four to six advanced LITR courses, students must meet both historical and geographical distribution requirements. At minimum, students must take one three-credit course in British literature and one three-credit course in American literature and one three-credit course in World literature. Students also need to take at least one three-credit course in literature prior to 1900 and one such course in literature after 1900. Individual courses can count for both historical and geographical credit (e.g., Renaissance literature would count for both pre-1900 and British literature credit). Literature/Writing Concentration 41-42 credit hours. The Literature/Writing Concentration is required of all students seeking secondary education certification (in conjunction with a teacher certi- fication program in the School of Education and Professional Studies). Courses focus on literature, rhetoric, creativity, and professional practice while introducing students to common forms in a variety of contexts. All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows:
Department Core		10-11
LITR 100	Introduction to Literature
COMP 201	Intermediate Writing (4 credits)
COMM 10	Survey of Human Communication (3-4 credits)
Literature Core		9
LITR 200	Literary Traditions
LITR 201	Patterns of Literature
LITR 300	Literary Analysis
Advanced Courses		22
Literature Perspective: One of each of the following selected from a limited number of courses designated by the literature faculty. Note: At least two of these three courses must be at the 400-500 level. American literature: one upper division course British literature: one upper division course World literature: one upper division course
Linguistics Perspective:
LNGS 301	Language and Structure
Composition Perspective:
COMP 202	Introduction to Creative Writing (4 credits)
COMP 402	Theory of Composition
Communication Perspective:
COMM 408	Visual Communication

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Writing Concentration     37-39 credit hours.             The Writing Concentration deepens capacity for thought and prepares students to reach audiences through artful and purposeful use of the written word. Courses focus on rhetoric, creativity, and professional practice while introducing students to common forms in a variety of contexts. This liberal arts program encourages students to read widely, to complete internships, and to consider a double major/minor. All graduating seniors submit a portfolio of polished pieces.
Department Core		10-11
LITR 100	Introduction to Literature
COMP 201	Intermediate Writing (4 credits)
COMM 105	Survey of Human Communication (3-4 credits)
Gateway Course		4
COMP 301	Advanced Writing (4 credits)
Theory Course: Select One		3
LITR 300	Literary Analysis
COMP 402*	Theory of Composition
COMP 430*	Theory of Rhetoric

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

*Note: COMP 507 may be substituted for COMP 402; COMP 530 may be substituted for COMP 430               Applied Writing: Select Three       Note: One of the three required applied writing courses can be replaced with a language, literature, or theory course.
Applied Writing: Select Three		11-12
COMP 304	Technical Writing (4 credits)
COMP 305	Editing and Revising (4 credits)
COMP 307	Creative Nonfiction Workshop (4 credits)
COMP 311	Writing in a Digital Age (4 credits)
COMP 316	Magazine Article Writing (4 credits)
COMP 395, 495	Special Topics (4 credits)
COMP 401	Directed Writing (4 credits)
COMM 308	Writing for Mass Media
Literature Courses: select two at the 300- and/or 400-level 6 chosen under advisement.
Language Course: Select One		3
LNGS 301	Language and Structure
LNGS 309	History of English Language
LNGS 310	American English Grammar

                               

Literature Courses: select two at the 300- and/or 400-level 6 chosen under advisement.

Other approved LNGS or equivalent

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

In addition to formal instruction, each student in the Writing Concentration will be expected to keep a portfolio of representative course papers, assist with professional/academic publications, read extensively in English and American literature, and read extensively in a variety of discourse communities.         Creative Writing Concentration           37-38 credit hours.             The Creative Writing Concentration hones students’ abilities to write and think imaginatively and critically. Students select workshops in creative nonfiction, drama, fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. Students learn strategies for crafting original expression while courses in literary study further allow them to contextualize their art. Students are expected to attend and give public readings of creative works, assist with literary publications, read extensively in her/his chosen genre(s), and complete a senior portfolio of polished pieces.     All courses are 3 credits unless noted. Credits are divided as follows:
Department Core		10-11
LITR 100	Introduction to Literature
COMP 201	Intermediate Writing (4 credits)
COMM 105	Survey of Human Communication (3-4 credits)
Gateway Course		4
COMP 202	Introduction to Creative Writing (4 credits)
Theory Course*		3
LITR 300	Literary Analysis
*Students in this concentration can substitute LITR 380 (when it is offered) for LITR 300
Applied Writing: Select Two		8
COMP 302	Fiction Workshop I (4 credits)
COMP 303	Poetry Workshop I (4 credits)
COMP 306	Playwriting: Short Plays (4 credits)
COMP 307	Creative Nonfiction Workshop (4 credits)
COMP 308	Writing Fiction for Children (4 credits)
COMP 309	Screenwriting Workshop I (4 credits)
COMP 395, 495	Special Topics (4 credits)
Literature Courses: Select Three Courses		9
Chosen under advisement to include at least one 400-level course.
Senior Writing Course		3
COMP 490	Writing Supervision
In addition to formal instruction, each student in the Creative Writing Concentration will be expected to attend public readings of creative works, give public readings of creative works, assist with literary publications, and read extensively in her/his chosen genre(s).