English Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in English is a four-year undergraduate degree. The major consists of at least 36 credit hours above the 100 level in English language, literature, linguistics, and writing courses: 9 credit hours are specific to ensure that all majors have a common background in literary interpretation and theory; 27-39 credit hours are chosen from among advanced courses in several specified categories.

Students may concentrate in one of three areas within the English major: Literature and Language, Pre-Law or Writing, Editing and Media. The three concentrations are described below. The English department offers minors in English Literature, English Writing and Pre-Law and also works cooperatively with the School of Education to administer a dual degree program in English/Secondary Education. Please see an academic advisor or the Humanities website for more information about any of these programs.

Language and Literature

Pre-Law

Writing, Editing and Media

• Requirements for the Bachelors of Arts in English (Literature and Language)

  1. See Degree Requirements section under the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
  2. 9 specified hours:
     • ENG-L 202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
     • ENG-L 371 Critial Practices (3 cr.)
     • ENG-L 495 Senior Seminar (3 cr.)
  3. 27 credit hours (from the following categories):
     • Literatures in English: Beginnings through 18th Century (3 cr.)
     • Literatures in English: 19th Century (3 cr.)
     • Literatures in English: 20th Century/21st Century (3 cr.)
     • World/Gender/Multicultural Literature (3 cr.)
     • English electives (prefixes L, W, G, or E) at the 200-level or above (15 cr.)
  4. No more than 12 credit hours in the major may be at the 200 level.
  5. In item 3 above, students may substitute one elective at the 300-level or above from a related field or discipline approved by a departmental advisor (e.g., literature in another language, history, film studies, African American studies, Women's studies, folklore, new media communication, philosophy, etc.).
  6. No grade in any of these courses may be lower than a C-.

• Requirements for the Bachelors of Arts in English (Pre-Law)

  1. See Degree Requirements section under the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
  2. 9 specified hours:
     • ENG-L 202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
     • ENG-L 371 Critial Practices (3 cr.)
     • ENG-L 495 Senior Seminar (3 cr.)
  3. 39 additonal credit hours:
     • Literatures in English: Beginnings through 18th Century (3 cr.)
     • Literatures in English: 19th Century (3 cr.)
     • Literatures in English: 20th Century/21st Century (3 cr.)
     • World/Gender/Multicultural Literature (3 cr.)
     • ENG-W 368 Research Methods and Materials (3 cr.)
     • POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory (3 cr.)*
     • One 300-level or higher history course (3 cr.)*
     • One 300-level or higher philosophy course (3 cr.)*
     • One from the following: SPCH-S 228 Argumentation and Debate, SPCH-C 321 Persuasion, OR SPCH-C 325 Interviewing (3 cr.)*
     • One from the following: ENG-W 398 Internship in Writing or ENG-W 498 Internship in English (3 cr.)
     • English electives (prefixes L, W, G, or E) at the 200-level or above (9 cr.)

     *Note: These courses may also be used to meet general education requirements in SHSS.

  4. No more than 12 credit hours in the major may be at the 200 level.
  5. In item 3 above, students may substitute one elective at the 300-level or above from a related field or discipline approved by a departmental advisor (e.g., literature in another language, history, film studies, African American studies, Women's studies, folklore, new media communication, philosophy, etc.).
  6. No grade in any of these courses may be lower than a C-.

• Requirements for the Bachelors of Arts in English (Writing, Editing and Media)

  1. See Degree Requirements section under the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
  2. 9 specified hours:
     • ENG-L 202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
     • ENG-L 371 Critial Practices (3 cr.)
     • ENG-L 495 Senior Seminar (3 cr.)
  3. 33 additional credit hours:
     • Literatures in English: Beginnings through 18th Century (3 cr.)
     • Literatures in English: 19th Century (3 cr.)
     • Literatures in English: 20th Century/21st Century (3 cr.)
     • World/Gender/Multicultural Literature (3 cr.)
     • ENG-W 365 Theories and Practices of Editing (3 cr.)
     • English writing electives (prefix W) at the 200-level or above (9 cr.)
       • Courses in journalism, grant writing, and publishing may also fulfill the writing electives requirement
     • ENG-W 398 Internship in Writing (3 cr.)
     • Digital media or journalism electives (6 cr.) These courses may also be used to meet general education requirements in SHSS.
  4. No more than 12 credit hours in the major may be at the 200 level.
  5. In item 3 above, students may substitute one elective at the 300-level or above from a related field or discipline approved by a departmental advisor (e.g., literature in another language, history, film studies, African American studies, Women's studies, folklore, new media communication, philosophy, etc.).
  6. No grade in any of these courses may be lower than a C-.