South Carolina State University

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Department of English and Modern Languages is to support the general mission of the College of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences and South Carolina State University by systematically providing quality instruction to diverse students in an effort to assist them in developing high levels of intellectual, professional, and personal growth. The aim is to prepare knowledgeable, technologically literate, life-long learners for careers, and/or advanced study. Ultimately, we endeavor to prepare people to be competent citizens and leaders in our complex and diverse global society.  

The specific mission of the department is to teach four groups of South Carolina State University students to write clearly and effectively and to read, appreciate, and respond thoughtfully to literature. These groups are undergraduates fulfilling the requirements of the general education curriculum, undergraduate English majors, undergraduate Spanish majors, and graduate students working toward the M.Ed. or the M.A.T. degree.

GOALS:

1.    To provide instruction in reading and writing skills, the humanities, linguistics, and literature for general education courses;

2.       To prepare English majors to teach and to pursue graduate training in English and other professions; and

3.      To prepare Spanish majors to pursue graduate training in Spanish or to work in a field that requires fluency in the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures.
 
Student Learning Outcomes (Departmental):

1.        Through the general education courses within the English program, students develop their abilities to read analytically, to speak and to write skillfully, and to respond logically and creatively to a variety of literary forms.
2.         Through the sequence of advanced literature courses, students refine their communication skills and develop their understanding of the literary works of various world cultures, subcultures, and minority groups that form the fabric of this global community.
3.         Through the advanced writing courses, students engage their critical, creative and technical skills as writers to develop proficiency and aesthetic fulfillment. 
4.         Through the electives and options in the program, students pursue their personal interests and skills in order to develop their potential as life-long learners. 
5.         Through a sequence of Hispanic literature and culture courses, students will refine their communication skills in Spanish and develop their understanding of the literary works of various Hispanic cultures.

 

Students who attain the B.S. in English Education will achieve the following:
1.        Gain an understanding of the British and American literature that is essential for sensitive, intelligent life-long learners.
2.        Enhance their basic writing skills in the advanced writing courses that build on the freshman composition sequence. 
3.        Engage in the advanced study of American and British literature. 
4.        Gain an understanding of the history, development, and grammatical underpinnings of English. 
5.        Acquire understanding of adolescent literature typically included in high school curricula. 
6.        Complete a study of English methods and pedagogy including the use of instructional technologies prior to completing the professional semester of pre-service teaching. 
7.         Complete a teacher education portfolio with objectives and assignments aligned with NCATE/NCTE standards.

Upon completion of the program, students are able to enter the classroom as proficient teachers of English literature and language or to consider post-baccalaureate education for advanced degrees.

 Students who attain the B.A. in Modern Languages (Spanish) will achieve the following:

 1.        Gain an overview of the Hispanic literature that is essential for sensitive, intelligent life-long learners.
2.         Enhance their basic communication skills in the advanced language courses that build on the general education course sequence.
3.         Engage in the advanced study of Hispanic literature that builds on the material learned in the introductory surveys.
4.         Complete a capstone senior project by conducting a critical research project or producing a creative work that reflects the learning and experiences acquired in the Modern Languages program.  The senior project allows students to work closely with a faculty mentor in designing this capstone experience.
5.       Complete an internship with an establishment where Spanish is the everyday language.

Upon completion of this program, students are able to enter the work world or pursue graduate or professional studies. Graduates can use their skills for careers as social workers, criminal justice personnel, etc.

The Department of English and Modern Languages offers the Bachelor of Arts degrees in Professional English and Modern Languages. The Bachelor of Science degree is offered for students who major in the teaching of English. Each degree program stresses the effective development of expressive skills, both oral and written.

Undergraduate Programs

Professional English
Modern Languages
Teaching of English

 

Chairperson

Dr. Ghussan R. Greene


For more information, contact:

Department of English & Modern Languages
300 College Street, NE
Post Office Box 7486
Orangeburg, SC 29117
Phone: 803-536-8808
Fax: 803-533-3804
Email: ggreene@scsu.edu