English and World Languages and Literatures

Department Chairperson: Concetta Williams

Phone: 773-995-2189

Location: Williams Science Center Room 320

Department Overview

The Department of English, World Languages, and Interdisciplinary Programs offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with options in Literature, Secondary Teaching, and Writing. The department also offers minor sequences in English and Writing for students majoring in other fields.

Students in the Literature and Writing Options may prepare for a variety of careers including at least the following: creative writing, writing for digital media, publishing, editing, advertising, business, law, and librarianship. Completion of the Secondary Teaching Option in English qualifies students for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement for teaching English Language Arts for grades 9-12.

The department offers introductory and advanced courses in Spanish and French. It also offers introductory courses in African languages, Arabic, Chinese, and German. The first-year world language courses are intended to develop the ability to understand, speak, and read the target language. The department also offers minor sequences in French, Spanish, and Latin American/Latino Studies for students majoring in other degree programs.

Competence in more than one language is not only integral to a complete educational experience, but also enables individuals to participate more fully in the global society and marketplace. In addition, the study of other languages and cultures empowers people to behave with a greater sense of self and to be successful in their relationships with those of different backgrounds.

The department will grant a maximum of nine hours of proficiency credit to both Spanish and bilingual education majors, six hours to elementary education majors and students undertaking a Spanish minor or Latin American/Latino Studies minor, and six hours to French minors.

Proficiency credit will be awarded during the last semester of the program.

Mission

The Department of English, World Languages & Literatures, and Interdisciplinary Programs (EFLIP) is committed to providing Chicago State University (CSU) students a first-rate transformative educational experience that elevates and values their human experience. We are staunch believers in the possibilities and opportunities provided by a liberal arts education, and we are guided by our conscience and seek to be conscientious in our understanding of our work at CSU and with our students. We are dedicated to compassionate student-centered teaching, discipline-shaping research, and service to the campus and CSU community at large.

Motto

Excellence, Humanity, and Scholarship encapsulate the spirit of the Department of English, World Languages & Literatures, and Interdisciplinary Programs (EFLIP).

Vision

The Department of English, World Languages & Literatures, and Interdisciplinary Programs (EFLIP) will be recognized as a leader in serving diverse students and the communities that mainstream academic spaces have traditionally overlooked. The department will promote academic excellence, community service, and community uplift through pedagogy and scholarship.

Values

The Department of English, World Languages & Literatures, and Interdisciplinary Programs (EFLIP) values:

Social justice, diversity, and equality
Inclusivity and identity
Language and cultural diversity
Community and cultural assets
Academic and personal honesty
Academic excellence
Personal responsibility and accountability

Assessment

The department maintains an updated copy of its assessment report in SCI 320.

Licensure Requirements

Licensure requires the successful completion of the Illinois Licensure English Language Arts Content Area Test and edTPA. The Secondary Teaching Program meets Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards in English Language Arts education.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Certificate

Spanish for Business Certificate

Minor