English Major
College of Arts and Humanities - Department of English
The English Department offers a wide-range program of poetry, prose, drama, film, linguistics, writing, and journalism for majors and non-majors alike. This program is designed to help students develop increased skills in reading, writing, and analytical thinking; greater appreciation of literature; and deeper understanding of the relationship between literature and race, gender, culture, history, and our shared humanity.
The General Education Requirement
All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain I-B (Humanities) is satisfied through the completion of the English major.
Course Prerequisites
Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.
Placement Testing
Each incoming student must take placement examinations in writing, which are administered prior to orientation for new students. Information regarding Placement Testing dates and times may be found at http://3sm8.mogrenlandscape.com/studentaffairs/placement.htm. Contact the Office of First Year Programs located in the Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA) for reservations.
Writing Code Interpretation:
Code Explanation
0.0 - 2.1 Student must enroll in and successfully complete ENWR 100 Composition I with Writing Studio before being eligible to enroll in ENWR 110 Composition II. Prior to the start of the semester, a writing placement test may be available.
2.3 Student must enroll in and successfully complete ENWR 105 Composition I before being eligible to enroll in ENWR 110 Composition II.
3.0 Student is eligible to enroll in ENWR 110 Composition II.
4.0 Student is eligible to enroll in ENWR 110 Composition II. Student has successfully completed non-credit preparatory coursework at another institution.
5.0 Student is eligible to enroll in ENWR 110 Composition II. Student has been awarded transfer credit equivalent to ENWR 105 Composition I.
9.0 Equivalent of ENWR 110 Composition II has been accepted in transfer.
Departmental Requirements for English Major (UENG)
Principal courses, twelve (12) required, as follows:
Major Core (9 courses):
- ENGL 204 Literary Study
(Students permitted by the Department Chair to waive this requirement must take ENGL 333 Critical Writing.)
Literature Group A (Early British): One (1) course from the following:
- ENGL 220 Shakespeare
- ENGL 251 British Literature I: Old English to 1680
- ENGL 301 Chaucer in Context: More than Middle English
- ENGL 314 English Renaissance Literature
- ENGL 317 Studies in Shakespeare
- ENGL 375 Studies in British Literature through 1680
Literature Group B (Modern British): One (1) course from the following:
- ENGL 232 Irish Literature
- ENGL 255 British Literature II: 1680 to 1890
- ENGL 318 British Romanticism
- ENGL 322 The Nineteenth-Century British Novel
- ENGL 330 Victorian Period
- ENGL 355 British Fiction since 1945
- ENGL 386 Studies in British Literature after 1680
- ENGL 389 Modern and Contemporary British and Irish Poetry
Literature Group C (American): Two (2) courses in American literature:
- ENGL 243 American Short Story
- ENGL 248 Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
- ENGL 260 American Ethnic Literature
- ENGL 261 American Writers I
- ENGL 262 American Writers II
- ENGL 263 African American Women Writers
- ENGL 264 African American Literature
- ENGL 275 Contemporary Latinx Literature
- ENGL 365 American Romanticism
- ENGL 366 Contemporary African American Poetry
- ENGL 368 American Realism and Naturalism
- ENGL 370 Studies in American Literature
- ENGL 373 Modern American Fiction
- ENGL 383 Contemporary American Literature
- ENGL 384 Contemporary American Poetry
- ENGL 397 Studies in African American Literature
Literature Group D: One (1) course from Classical and European:
- ENGL 202 Comparative Mythology
- ENGL 265 Western Literature: Origins to the Renaissance
- ENGL 266 Western Literature: Renaissance to the Present
- ENGL 271 Development of the Drama
- ENGL 319 The Nineteenth-Century European Novel
- ENGL 342 Modern Drama
- ENGL 382 Contemporary European Literature
Literature Group E: One (1) course from Contemporary Global and Postcolonial Literature:
- ENGL 203 Contemporary Global Literature
- ENGL 277 Gender in Contemporary Global Literature
- ENGL 326 The Novel and the World
- ENGL 346 Contemporary African Literature
- ENGL 356 Literature of the Islamic World
- ENGL 361 Postcolonial Literature
- ENGL 376 The Twentieth-Century Novel
- ENGL 398 Studies in Contemporary Global and Postcolonial Literature
Literature Group F: One (1) course focused on literature or film from an historically underrepresented group*:
- ENGL 228 Disability in Literature
- ENGL 240 LGBTQ Literature
- ENGL 246 African American Film
- ENGL 248 Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
- ENGL 260 American Ethnic Literature
- ENGL 263 African American Women Writers
- ENGL 264 African American Literature
- ENGL 275 Contemporary Latinx Literature
- ENGL 366 Contemporary African American Poetry
- ENGL 397 Studies in African American Literature
*Note: Students with a Concentration in Teaching and Minor in Secondary Education may fulfill this requirement and one of their Group C requirements with one course. However, they still must take 12 courses to complete the English major.
Capstone course:
- ENGL 422 Seminar in Literature
NOTE: All English majors must take four (4) literature courses at the 300- or 400-level in addition to ENGL 422 Seminar in Literature. One of the four (4) courses may be a 300-level film course, as may ENGL 320 Young Adult Literature. Other children’s literature courses do not satisfy this requirement. Students should focus on 300- and 400-level courses in the junior/senior years.
Minimum of elementary knowledge of one world language required (0-2 courses). The Elementary Level may be met in one of several ways:
- Completion of a college-level Elementary II or above language course;
- Emersion Language Placement test score of 3 or higher;
- Waiver from the Chair of the World Languages Department if high school academic language is other than English (usually applies to international students).
Completion of English Major Requirements
For the major in English, in addition to the nine (9) major core courses, students must complete either the following three (3) course requirements (UENG) or may alternatively choose a specific Concentration to complete.
Required Writing or Journalism Elective:
Choose one (1) of the following writing or journalism courses:
- ENGL 225 Introduction to Journalism
- ENGL 280 Persuasive Writing
- ENGL 282 Creative Writing
- ENGL 284 Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
- ENGL 286 Professional Writing
- ENGL 300 Writing for Children
- ENGL 310 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
- ENGL 311 Writing About Science
- ENGL 331 News Writing
- ENGL 333 Critical Writing
- ENGL 335 Feature Writing
- ENGL 338 Grant Writing
- ENGL 349 Writing Poetry
- ENGL 363 Writing Fiction
- ENGL 371 Business Writing
- ENGL 377 Writing for Online and Social Media
- ENGL 387 Life Writing
- ENGL 411 Creative Writing Seminar in Prose
- ENGL 413 Creative Writing Seminar in Poetry
Required English Electives:
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
CONCENTRATIONS
Concentration in African American Literature (UENA)
Students must complete the nine (9) major core courses and the following six (6) required courses:
Concentration Courses:
Concentration core course:
- ENGL 264 African American Literature
Choose three (3) from the following courses:
- ENGL 246 African American Film
- ENGL 248 Literature of the Harlem Renaissance
- ENGL 263 African American Women Writers
- ENGL 366 Contemporary African American Poetry
- ENGL 397 Studies in African American Literature
Required Writing or Journalism Elective (1):
Choose one (1) of the following writing or journalism courses:
- ENGL 225 Introduction to Journalism
- ENGL 280 Persuasive Writing
- ENGL 282 Creative Writing
- ENGL 284 Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
- ENGL 286 Professional Writing
- ENGL 300 Writing for Children
- ENGL 310 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
- ENGL 311 Writing About Science
- ENGL 331 News Writing
- ENGL 333 Critical Writing
- ENGL 335 Feature Writing
- ENGL 338 Grant Writing
- ENGL 349 Writing Poetry
- ENGL 363 Writing Fiction
- ENGL 377 Writing for Online and Social Media
- ENGL 387 Life Writing
- ENGL 411 Creative Writing Seminar in Prose
- ENGL 413 Creative Writing Seminar in Poetry
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Concentration in Children's and Young Adult Literature (UENL)
Students must complete the nine (9) major core courses and the following six (6) required courses:
Concentration Courses:
Choose four (4) from the following courses:
- ENGL 212 Children’s Literature
- ENGL 217 The History of Children’s Literature
- ENGL 300 Writing for Children
- ENGL 320 Young Adult Literature
Required Writing or Journalism Elective (1):
Choose one (1) of the following writing or journalism courses:
- ENGL 225 Introduction to Journalism
- ENGL 280 Persuasive Writing
- ENGL 282 Creative Writing
- ENGL 284 Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
- ENGL 286 Professional Writing
- ENGL 300 Writing for Children
- ENGL 310 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
- ENGL 311 Writing About Science
- ENGL 331 News Writing
- ENGL 333 Critical Writing
- ENGL 335 Feature Writing
- ENGL 338 Grant Writing
- ENGL 349 Writing Poetry
- ENGL 363 Writing Fiction
- ENGL 371 Business Writing
- ENGL 377 Writing for Online and Social Media
- ENGL 387 Life Writing
- ENGL 411 Creative Writing Seminar in Prose
- ENGL 413 Creative Writing Seminar in Poetry
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Concentration in Creative Writing (UENC)
Students must complete the nine (9) major core courses and the following six (6) required courses:
Concentration Courses:
Choose One (1) from the following:
- ENGL 282 Creative Writing
- ENGL 284 Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
Choose Two (2) from the following:
- ENGL 300 Writing for Children
- ENGL 349 Writing Poetry
- ENGL 363 Writing Fiction
- ENGL 387 Life Writing
Choose One (1) of the following:
- ENGL 411 Creative Writing Seminar in Prose *
- ENGL 413 Creative Writing Seminar in Poetry **
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Concentration in Film Studies (UENF)
Students must complete the nine (9) major core courses and the following six (6) required courses:
Concentration Courses:
Choose four (4) from the following courses:
- ENGL 206 Film and Literature
- ENGL 207 The Language of Film
- ENGL 208 Film Genres
- ENGL 209 Film History: 1895 to 1960
- ENGL 229 Film History: 1960 to Present
- ENGL 234 Global Cinema
- ENGL 246 African American Film
- ENGL 325 Studies in Film
Required Writing or Journalism Elective:
Choose one (1) of the following writing or journalism courses:
- ENGL 225 Introduction to Journalism
- ENGL 280 Persuasive Writing
- ENGL 282 Creative Writing
- ENGL 284 Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
- ENGL 286 Professional Writing
- ENGL 300 Writing for Children
- ENGL 310 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
- ENGL 311 Writing About Science
- ENGL 331 News Writing
- ENGL 333 Critical Writing
- ENGL 335 Feature Writing
- ENGL 338 Grant Writing
- ENGL 349 Writing Poetry
- ENGL 363 Writing Fiction
- ENGL 377 Writing for Online and Social Media
- ENGL 387 Life Writing
- ENGL 411 Creative Writing Seminar in Prose
- ENGL 413 Creative Writing Seminar in Poetry
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Concentration in Journalism (UENJ)
Students must complete the nine (9) major core courses and the following six (6) required courses:
Concentration Courses:
Concentration core courses:
- ENGL 225 Introduction to Journalism
- ENGL 331 News Writing
Choose one (1) course from the following:
- ENGL 335 Feature Writing
- ENGL 377 Writing for Online and Social Media
- ENGL 481 Editorial Workshop in Journalism or
- ENGL 496 Internship in Journalism
Capstone (not taken above):
- ENGL 481 Editorial Workshop in Journalism or
- ENGL 496 Internship in Journalism
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Concentration in Professional Writing (UENP)
Students must complete the nine (9) major core courses and the following six (6) required courses:
Concentration Courses:
Concentration core courses:
- ENGL 286 Professional Writing
- ENGL 495 Internship in English
Choose two (2) additional professional writing courses from the following, at least one (1) of which must be at the 300-level:
- ENGL 225 Introduction to Journalism
- ENGL 280 Persuasive Writing
- ENGL 311 Writing About Science
- ENGL 335 Feature Writing
- ENGL 338 Grant Writing
- ENGL 372 Technical Writing
- ENGL 377 Writing for Online and Social Media
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Note: Students should plan to work with the English Internship Coordinator to identify an appropriate internship during the semester before taking ENGL 495 Internship in English.
Concentration in Writing (UENW)
Students must complete the nine (9) major core courses and the following six (6) required courses:
Concentration Courses:
Choose four (4) from the following courses:
- ENGL 225 Introduction to Journalism
- ENGL 280 Persuasive Writing
- ENGL 282 Creative Writing
- ENGL 284 Writing Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
- ENGL 286 Professional Writing
- ENGL 300 Writing for Children
- ENGL 310 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
- ENGL 311 Writing About Science
- ENGL 331 News Writing
- ENGL 333 Critical Writing
- ENGL 335 Feature Writing
- ENGL 338 Grant Writing
- ENGL 349 Writing Poetry
- ENGL 363 Writing Fiction
- ENGL 371 Business Writing
- ENGL 372 Technical Writing
- ENGL 377 Writing for Online and Social Media
- ENGL 387 Life Writing
- ENGL 411 Creative Writing Seminar in Prose
- ENGL 413 Creative Writing Seminar in Poetry
- ENGL 495 Internship in English
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Concentration in Teaching and Minor in Secondary Education (UENT)
(Initial Licensure)
DOMAIN I-A:
- COMM 107 Effective Speaking
DOMAIN III-A (Choose one (1)):
- HSTY 111 United States History to Reconstruction
- HSTY 112 United States History since Reconstruction
- HSTY 165 Slavery, Race, and Rights in American History
- HSTY 176 Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness? The Age of Revolutions, 1750-1850
- POSC 211 Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order
DOMAIN III-B:
- PSYC 200 Psychology of Development
DOMAIN III-C:
- EDUC 222 Sheltered English Immersion in Secondary Education
Specified Major Core courses (9 courses):
- ENGL 204 Literary Study
- ENGL 251 British Literature I: Old English to 1680 (Literature Group A)
- ENGL 255 British Literature II: 1680 to 1890 (Literature Group B)
- One course from Literature Group C
- One course from Literature Group D
- One course from Literature Group E
- One course from Literature Group F
- ENGL 422 Seminar in Literature
Concentration core courses (5 courses):
- ENGL 310 Composition Theory and Pedagogy
Choose two (2) additional English electives, one (1) of which must be at the 200-level or above, from the department:
- Students may use a 100-level ENGL Literature course for this requirement only if the course was taken prior to the student’s junior year.
Required course for Secondary Education Licensure:
- COMM 107 Effective Speaking or
- COMM 115 Human Communication
Note: These courses may be used to fulfill General Education requirements.
Completion of second semester intermediate foreign language or equivalent
Secondary Education Minor Requirements for Teacher of English 5-12:
- EDUC 200 Education in American Society with Field Study I
- EDUC 246 Sheltered English Immersion in Secondary Education
- EDIL 302 Secondary Methods with Field Study II: Special Needs and Educational Technology
- EDIL 321 Secondary Methods with Field Study II: English 5-12
- EDPS 421A Secondary Professional Practicum A: English 5-12 (2 course-credits)
- EDPS 421B Secondary Professional Practicum B: English 5-12 (2 course-credits)
- PSYC 200 Psychology of Development
See Education Department section on the catalog for further information on teacher education.