Degree Requirements for the English Major
The English major prepares students for a variety of careers that demand expertise in analyzing texts, thinking critically, and writing for a diverse audience. These include, among others, print and electronic journalism, teaching, law, public relations, marketing, technical writing, librarianship, and information management.
Bachelor of Arts in English
PROGRAM PLANNING
Each student who enters the English major program shall, in cooperation with a permanently assigned English advisor, develop and maintain a portfolio to represent the variety, quality, and progress of the student’s performance in the major. Each advisor maintains a permanent record of each student’s writing and other relevant information on the student’s progress in the major, and meets with the student in conference at least twice each academic year (at least once each semester). The student is responsible for scheduling and attending portfolio conferences.
Students earning the Bachelor of Arts in English degree must complete the university-wide general education requirements, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requirements, and fulfill the following concentration requirements:
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED
Complete 30 credit hours above the 100-level. Most majors
take more than 30 credit hours.
(All courses are 3 cr. hours, unless otherwise designated.)
Course Requirements (18 cr.)
All majors choose a concentration in literature or in writing,
and take six required courses:
ENG-L 202 Literary Interpretation
ENG-L 222 Introduction to Literary Criticism
Select three of the following:
ENG-E 301 Literatures in English to 1600
ENG-E 302 Literatures in English 1600–1800
ENG-E 303 Literatures in English 1800–1900
ENG-E 304 Literatures in English 1900–Present
Select one of the following:
ENG-L 450 Seminar: British and American Authors
ENG-L 460 Seminar: Literary Form, Mode, and Theme
The senior seminar shall not be taken until all or almost all other major courses have been completed
Course Electives (12 cr.)
In consultation with the advisor, the English major should plan the elective courses with consideration for possible career choices or graduate study.
Concentration Requirements (18 cr.)
Literature—additional 9 cr. minimum, at the 300-level and above
Writing—additional 9 cr. minimum, 6 cr. shall be 300- level and above
The following journalism courses are offered by communication arts in the Raclin School of the Arts, and can count toward an English major. See communication arts under Raclin School of the Arts for these offerings.
JOUR-J 200 Reporting, Writing, and Editing
JOUR-J 341 Newspaper Reporting
The department recommends that students who plan to continue
in a graduate program take several hours of world language,
because master’s and doctoral programs in English,
as well as in many other areas, commonly require one or two
world languages.
Associate of Arts with a Concentration in English
Students should choose to emphasize either literature or
writing and must meet the course requirements listed below
for that emphasis.
(all courses are 3cr. hours, unless otherwise designated)
Emphasis in Literature (15 cr.)
ENG-L 202 Literary Interpretation
Select one of the following:
ENG-E 301 Literatures in English to 1600
ENG-E 302 Literatures in English 1600–1800
ENG-E 303 Literatures in English 1800–1900
ENG-E 304 Literatures in English 1900–Present
One additional 300-level course in British or Continental literature
One additional 300-level course in American literature
One course in the following areas:
English Language
Expository Writing
Creative Writing
Emphasis in Writing (15 cr.)
Select two of the following:
ENG-E 301 Literatures in English to 1600
ENG-E 302 Literatures in English 1600–1800
ENG-E 303 Literatures in English 1800–1900
ENG-E 304 Literatures in English 1900–Present
ENG-L 202 Literary Interpretation
ENG-L 203 Introduction to Drama
ENG-L 204 Introduction to Fiction
ENG-L 205 Introduction to Poetry
Three courses in the following areas, two of which must be above the 300-level, excluding ENG-W 131 (9 cr.)
Editing
Expository Writing
Fiction
Journalism
Poetry
Scriptwriting
For information on minors and certificate programs, click here.
