English and Foreign Language

Mission Statement

The goal of the faculty in the areas of English and Foreign Language is to enable students to develop written communication and critical thinking skills which will enhance their success in college and in their careers. Through literature courses, the instructors seek to introduce the diversity of existing worldviews, the continuity of the human experience, and an appreciation for the historical, cultural, and spiritual values present in a study of literature.

Instruction is also provided in the Spanish and German languages. This coursework is designed to introduce students to the language, culture and heritage of Spanish-and German-speaking people.

Academic Opportunities

Students may choose from three concentrations in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees: literature, literature and writing, and professional writing. Students may also select coursework that will enable them to certify to teach English at the secondary level or to teach language arts at the elementary level.

Students may choose English courses in fulfillment of minors in English, English education, humanities, and professional writing. Foreign language coursework fulfills a general education requirement in all the Bachelor of Arts programs at Rochester College and serves as a valuable complement to other programs.

Concentrations

Literature
Literature and writing
Professional writing

Minors in English and Foreign Language

English Minor: Requires 12 hours of ENG above the 2000 level, and six hours of upper-division ENG.
Humanities Minor: Requires six hours from ENG 2413, 3213, 3223, 3313, 3323; six hours from ART 2003, FLM 2013, HUM 2003, MUS 2303, or THE 2003; and six upper-division hours of either COM or ENG.
Professional Writing Minor: Requires ENG 1123, 2113, 3523, 3613, 4533, and 4523.

Career Opportunities

Careers available to graduates with concentrations in literature, literature and writing, or professional writing include education, journalism, technical writing, business, law, library science, and government service. Many employers value a liberal arts degree as a solid foundation for the world of work. The English concentration provides a better understanding of human nature and universal issues and truths, and helps exercise critical thinking skills.

In today’s world, foreign language qualifications can be a valuable asset. Organizations engaged in global business seek multilingual graduates to fill positions in business, banking, and finance. Multilingual communicators may find jobs as translators or teachers.