Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English for Secondary Education

Graduates of Grand Canyon University will be able to construct rhetorically effective communications appropriate to diverse audiences, purposes, and occasions (English composition, communication, critical reading, foreign language, sign language, etc.). Students are required to take 3 credits of English grammar or composition.

This writing intensive course is a study of some diverse works in world literature. It introduces all advanced English course offerings. Students will also be introduced to methods of literary criticism and analysis. All students who plan to major in English should earn a 3.00 or above in this course before taking any upper division English courses. Prerequisites: ENG-105 and ENG-106.

In this writing-intensive course, teacher candidates will explore multicultural education by engaging in research, communication, and ethical decision-making, focusing on developing educators' skills in creating equitable and inclusive learning environments. Through analysis of evidence and virtuous practice, the course will examine the critical role of educators as advocates for all students, empowering participants to address disparities and promote equitable opportunities for academic success. With a specific focus on the principles of multicultural education, teacher candidates will be encouraged to reflect on the influence of their own worldviews and perceptions. Emphasizing the concept of imago Dei, which sees every individual as made in the image of God, this course aims to foster culturally responsive classrooms that welcome diversity in all forms. Teacher candidates will explore strategies to effectively bridge the gaps between various diversities and academic achievement, to foster human flourishing within the educational sphere. The course blends content with practical application, highlighting the educator's role as an advocate for all students and promoting equitable academic opportunities.

Teacher candidates are introduced to the educational needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities and their families, including the definitions, characteristics, prevalence, causes and educational approaches to these disabilities and disorders. Teacher candidates will identify preventative and responsive practices related to cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional patterns of learning and development for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Emphasis is placed on identifying appropriate times to differentiate, modify, or accommodate to support student learning. Teacher candidates also survey the special education process involving the application of various laws and regulations. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required.

This course is a survey of the Arizona constitution and government. It meets the teacher certification requirement for Arizona government.

In this course, teacher candidates differentiate instruction based on knowledge of students, learning theory, and curricular goals. Major emphasis is given to planning standards-based instructional objectives and lessons, sequencing, and assessing learning, utilizing formal and informal assessment strategies that address individual students' needs. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-202.

This course interprets and analyzes important texts of the British tradition from approximately A.D. 500 to 1800. Special attention is paid to the importance of cultural context, close textual analysis, and literary terms and concepts, especially concepts of poetic meter and rhyme. Prerequisite: ENG-105.

Teacher candidates explore research-based instructional strategies for delivering differentiated instruction to promote reading and writing proficiency during content area instruction. Language and literacy development is examined to inform instruction, assessment, intervention, and remediation practices to support readers of varying ages and ability levels, including students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Using this foundational knowledge, candidates will select, adapt, and use research-based instructional strategies and interventions with attention focused on literacy in academic curricula to advance learning for adolescent students. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-202.

In this course, teacher candidates examine the fundamentals of the legal, historical, and educational foundations of Structured English Immersion (SEI) and other instructional programs and approaches for teaching English learners. Theoretical principles of language acquisition and the role of culture in learning are examined. Methods of assessment are identified and analyzed. Teacher candidates identify strategies to promote English language development and improve student achievement as they plan, deliver, and evaluate standards-based instruction for English learners. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.

In this course, teacher candidates study methods and materials related to teaching secondary-grade 6-12 students. Emphasis is placed on analyzing data to evaluate and modify instruction. Candidates look at methodologies that encourage problem-solving, active participation, meeting diverse students’ needs, and professional collaboration. Focus is also placed on the practical applications of using all available data, including behavioral data, to drive instructional decisions. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Fingerprint clearance not required. Prerequisite: SEC-356.

This course is designed to help prospective teachers develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach writing, grammar, and linguistics at the middle and secondary levels. Emphasis is given to teaching methodologies that encourage effective implementation of writing, grammar, and linguistics instruction in middle and secondary English classrooms. Course content is strategically planned to enable students to make informed, context-based decisions about writing and language instruction. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.

This writing intensive course is a study in the development of the novel focusing primarily on the reading and discussion of 19th and 20th century British and American works. Prerequisites: ENG-105 and ENG-106.

In this course, students explore creative writing through an examination of craft and strategies, readings and discussion, writing across the major genres (poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction), and the editorial process, which includes critiquing and revision. In addition, students consider the application of creative writing techniques to arenas in the professional writing world. Prerequisite: ENG-105.

This course is a study of Shakespeare's major plays and his development as a dramatist, including some consideration of Shakespeare's cross-cultural reception.

This course explores the literatures and cultural exchange of America and Britain from the Romantic Era to the present day. Students develop an understanding of themes, genres, and literary techniques that inform present-day literary and communicative strategies. Prerequisite: ENG-105.

This course is designed to help prospective teachers develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach literature and other texts at the middle and secondary levels. Emphasis is given to teaching methodologies that encourage effective implementation of reading instruction in middle and secondary English classrooms. Course content is strategically planned to enable students to make informed, context-based decisions about instruction of literature and other texts. Practicum/field experience hours: 15. Fingerprint clearance required.

This course prepares teacher candidates to create and manage positive, productive secondary-grade 6-12 classroom environments with diverse students. Candidates develop a comprehensive understanding of the learning and behavior principles that underlie effective classroom management and student engagement in order to design and promote an effective classroom management program. Focus is placed on building a trusting relationship and creating a safe and equitable learning environment. Practicum/field experience hours: 20. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: SEC-356.