English, Literature Track, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English consists of a minimum of 39 credits as distributed below. The major offers two tracks: (1) Communication and Technology and (2) Literature. These tracks share a common core of two courses and the same elective and diversity requirements. Students completing a certificate in English Secondary Education should follow the Literature Track. Creative Writing and Journalism students may choose either track.

Additional requirements are listed under the separate tracks.

All courses for the major must be passed with a grade of C or better.

Common Core Courses (6 credits)

ENGL 300 - Texts and Contexts (3.00)
ENGL 301 - Analysis of Literary Language (3.00)

Note:

Students should take these two courses as soon as they declare their major as English. They are considered Gateway courses.

ENGL 300 should be taken before ENGL 324 and ENGL 301 before ENGL 302 .

Common Elective Requirements (12 credits)

These electives must be English courses at the 300- or 400-level, although students may, with their advisor’s permission, include one 200-level course as part of this requirement.

Students in either track may use Creative Writing courses to satisfy elective requirements.

Note:

At least one of the required or elective courses must fulfill the diversity requirement. ENGL 364 - Perspectives on Women in Literature and ENGL 369 - Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Literature fulfill the diversity requirement. Other courses may fulfill the requirement if they are so marked on the schedule of classes.

Literature Track (21 Credits)

English majors in the Literature Track develop skills of close reading, critical thinking, and analysis of literary texts. Students also develop an extensive historical knowledge of British, American, and world anglophone literatures in their cultural and social contexts. Students will be prepared for graduate study in English as well as careers in such fields as education, business, law, journalism, publishing, and public relations.

Required Courses

It is recommended that students complete ENGL 301 in their first semester as a major and prior to taking ENGL 302 .

ENGL 302 - Literary Methodologies and Research (3.00)

Historical Period Courses

One 300- or 400-level course from four of the five historical periods. These courses need not be taken in chronological order, and they may be taken concurrently with any other major courses:

Medieval and Early Modern
Restoration to Romantic
Victorian and Modern
American Literature to the Civil War
American Literature from the Civil War to Present

Two 400-level Literature courses, one of which must be a seminar (open to juniors as well as seniors)