Sign In
Skip Navigation LinksHome > Admissions > Majors & Minors > Majors > English > Requirements
Requirements 

Requirements for the Major in English

I. Literary Culture Surveys
Any ONE of the following:
   ENG 205 British Literature Before 1800  
   ENG 206 British Literature Since 1800  
3 hrs
3 hrs
Any ONE of the following:
   ENG 238 American Literature Before the Civil War    
   ENG 239 American Literature Since the Civil War  
3 hrs
3 hrs
II. Writing/Linguistics Elective
Any ONE of the following:
   ENG 260 Introduction to Journalism
   ENG 270 Expository Writing
   ENG 275 Introduction to Creative Writing  
   ENG 280 Introduction to Linguistics
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
III. Topics Courses
One course from each of the four following groups:
Group 1 - Authorial Identities and Literary Expression
   ENG 340 Gender and Literary Expression
   ENG 345 Ethnic Literature
   ENG 350 Studies in the Author
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
Group 2 - Literary Forms and Cultural Frames
   ENG 315 Literary Modes and Genres  
   ENG 325 Literary Movements  
   ENG 330 Visions and Revisions  
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
Group 3 - Literary Places and Other Spaces
   ENG 335 A Sense of Place 
   ENG 355 Literature and the Other Arts
   ENG 360 Media Studies  
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
Group 4 - Creative Writing
   ENG 372 Creative Writing - Fiction
   ENG 374 Creative Writing - Poetry 
   ENG 376 Creative Writing - Non-fiction  
3 hrs
3 hrs
3 hrs
IV. Two elective courses 6 hrs
V. Capstone Sequence
ENG 370 Critical Practicum 3 hrs
2 elective courses at the 300 level or Honors Sequence
6 hrs
Total Hours   36 hrs

Majors must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by completing the sequence of courses 101, 102, and 203 in one foreign language. A civilization course may be substituted for 203. Credit earned by passing appropriate placement or proficiency examinations may be counted towards meeting these requirements.

Majors must maintain at least a 2.00 grade point average in all English courses needed to satisfy the major requirements.

Areas of Emphasis

Literary Studies:

  1. If not taking the Honors Sequence, complete 3 elective courses in literature at the 300-level
  2. If taking the Honors Sequence, complete one elective course in literature at the 300-level

Creative Writing Track

  1. If not taking the Honors Sequence, complete three courses in creative writing
  2. If taking the Honors Sequence, complete two creative writing courses and submit a manuscript for department approval.

Both requirements must be met by end of junior year.

Journalism/Publication Track

  1. If not taking the Honors Sequence, complete 3 of the following courses: ENG 260, 270, 360, 376
  2. If taking the Honors Sequence, complete two of the following: ENG 260, 270, 360, 376

English Education:

  1. Complete ENG 205 and 206, ENG 238 and 239 (may use electives to complete all four)
  2. Complete both ENG 280 and ENG 360
  3. One upper-level elective must include the study of Shakespeare; one must be in American Literature
  4. EDU 210 Literature for Children and Youth may be substituted for one topics course
  5. In most cases, English Education students will not take the Honors Sequence

Honors Sequence

The Honors thesis sequence consists of two courses:

  • ENG 420 Honors Project I        3 hrs 
  • ENG 430 Honors Project II       3 hrs

Students who meet the following requirements by the end of their junior year are invited to complete an Honors Project:

  1. Have an overall grade point average of at least 3.25
  2. Have an English grade point average of at least 3.50
  3. Have completed at least 3 topics courses (300 level)
  4. Have received a "B" or better in ENG 370 (Critical Practicum)

The Honors Sequence can be completed in literary criticism, creative writing, or journalism/publication. Honors projects will differ from one emphasis to another. The critical track might entail, for example, an in-depth study of an author or a literary period. While the focus of the creative track is primarily on the student?s own creative writing, a critical component (such as an introductory essay) is required. The track in journalism/publication might entail a historical study of a particular periodical, the relationship between journalism and literature in a specific historical/cultural framework, or a collection of original nonfiction works suitable for magazine publication.