Program Requirements

Course and Core Requirements

A Learning Community and a 199C Writing and Research course from any department are prerequisites for most English courses. First-year students may take any 200-level English course concurrently with a Learning Community or 199C.

Major Requirements: Literature Concentration

The requirements for the English major with a literature concentration are:

Note: The requirements for the literature concentration are slightly different for English majors who are also Inclusive Adolescence Education majors. Please refer to those specific requirements below under Additional Requirements for Students Seeking Adolescence Teaching Certification in English and to the appropriate course progression for B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: English Literature).

Introductory courses (6.5)
ENGL 200C Literary Analysis
ENGL 201 Career Seminar (.5)
ENGL 259 Argument and Persuasion
Survey courses (9)
Choose three: ENGL 293 P1 Early English Literature*
ENGL 294 P1 Milton Through the Romantics*
ENGL 295 P1 British Literature Since 1700
ENGL 297 P1 Readings in American Literature*
ENGL 298 P1 Modern American Literature
*Two of these courses must be included in the survey course selection.
Additional courses (21)
One ethnic American or world literature course
(See course listings within Additional Requirements for Students Seeking Adolescence Teaching Certification in English below.)
One additional English courses at or beyond the 200 level
Four additional English courses at or beyond the 300 level
ENGL 420 Senior Literature Seminar
Total (36.5)

Major Requirements: Writing Concentration

The requirements for the English major with a writing concentration are:

Introductory courses (12.5)
ENGL 200C Literary Analysis
ENGL 201 Career Seminar (.5)
Choose one: ENGL 251 P1 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction –OR–
ENGL 253 P1 Introductory Creative Writing
ENGL 266 Writing As Social Practice
ENGL 259 Argument and Persuasion
FOUR 300-level writing courses (12)
One Advanced Practices course
One Theories, Contexts, Communities course
Two additional courses from Advanced Practices –AND/OR–
Theories, Contexts, Communities
See course listings for categories of writing courses.
Additional courses (12)
Two Literature courses, one at or beyond the 200 level; one at or beyond the 300 level
One additional English course at or beyond the 200 level
ENGL 425 Senior Writing Seminar
Total (36.5)

For students majoring in English, all courses designated as English courses (ENGL) that may apply to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Major’s Portfolio

In the course of their studies, English majors in both concentrations develop a Major’s Portfolio. The portfolio represents the student’s skills and interests and should contain those items which best represent the student’s accomplishments in thinking and writing for a broad audience. Some items may be assigned while others may be freely chosen. Students at the 300 and 400 level collect material that demonstrates what they know about writing, what sorts of writing they do for their courses, and what sorts of writing they do on their own. Students may choose work from a variety of genres, including: fiction, poetry, drama, creative nonfiction, literary analysis, cultural analysis, rhetorical analysis, and technical/professional/business writing. The portfolio may also contain a Personal Statement that synthesizes the student’s goals and accomplishments (books read, projects completed, writing-related experiences) and a résumé.

English Courses

English courses are divided into several categories. For a complete listing of these categories and the courses contained within each, refer to Additional Information.

Additional Requirements for Students Seeking Adolescence Teaching Certification In English

Students seeking Adolescence Teaching Certification in English dual major in Inclusive Adolescence Education and English Literature and earn a Bachelor of Science degree. They must complete the courses outlined for an English major with a literature concentration and also complete the following specific requirements:

  • Inclusive Adolescence Education Major (46)
    The major includes Education courses, field experiences, student teaching and courses for Certification in Students with Disabilities (7–12) and Middle School Extension in the content area (5–6). See Inclusive Adolescence Education for details.
  • ENGL 203C History of English Language (3)
  • ENGL 211 P1 Young Adult Literature (3)
  • One ethnic American literature course chosen from:* (3)
    ENGL 220D P1 Black Writers in U.S.
    ENGL 236D CC The American Dream
    ENGL 262P CC Topics in Ethnicity and Literature
    ENGL 335 Studies in African American Literature
    ENGL 336 Studies in Native American Literature
    ENGL 337 Ethnicities in/and Literature
  • One World literature course chosen from:* (3)
    ENGL 248 P5 World Literature
    ENGL 347 Studies in Postcolonialism
  • One Shakespeare course chosen from: (3)
    ENGL 212C P1 Shakespeare at the Movies
    ENGL 312C P1 Shakespeare

Please refer to the recommended progression for B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education: English Literature for more information.

*These requirements may add additional credits to the content area of the English major. In order to keep the number of English Literature major required credits at 36.5, Inclusive Adolescence Education majors need to choose from the 300 level offerings for both of these areas. As early as possible, students should consult with an Education advisor to set up a program leading to certification.