Bachelor of Arts (BA)

 
 

 

A major in English--the study of literature, writing, and language--invites students to focus on human experience and expression in all its complexity and diversity. As part of learning how to analyze and interpret a wide range of genres, English majors explore texts' literary histories and sociocultural contexts. Students also study and practice the creation of texts, including poems, essays, stories, plays, critical reviews, and many more. Throughout their studies, English majors focus on how humans acquire, live with, and use language. Each of the three concentrations--Literature, Writing, and English Education--grounds students in all these areas while emphasizing a specific aspect of English studies.

Total Credits Required for an English Major: 42-44

Core Required Courses (10 credits):

  • ENGL 125 - Approaches to English Studies (3)
  • ENGL 225 - Approaches to Theoretical Discourse (3)
  • ENGL 345 - Introduction to Rhetoric (3)
  • ENGL 495 - Independent Study/Readings (1) (Writing Concentration: This course may be subsituted with 1 credit of ENGL 497 - Writing Internship.)

The remaining courses in the major should be selected in relationship to one of the following concentrations:

LITERATURE

32-33 Credits

This concentration is recommended for those planning to do graduate work in English or for those planning professional careers that demand a broad liberal arts background. 

In addition to the core requirements of the major, students must take:

  • ENGL 450 - Literary Criticism and Theory (3)
  • Two of the following pre-1800 courses:
    • ENGL 273 - American Literature to 1865 (3)
    • ENGL 371 - English Literature to 1600 (3)
    • ENGL 372 - English Literature 1600-1800 (3)
  • Two of the following post-1800 Courses:
    • ENGL 274 - American Literature 1865-1914 (3)
    • ENGL 373 - English Literature 1800-1914 (3)
    • ENGL 403 - 20th-century English and American Literature (3)
  • Two of the following courses:
    • ENGL 404 - Global Literature (3)
    • ENGL 415 - Gender Studies in Literature (3)
    • ENGL 440 - Language and Culture (3)
  • 11-13 additional credits from the Department of English offerings (excluding ENGL 115, 117 and 215)

Writing

33 Credits

This concentration is suitable for those planning professional careers as writers or those particularly interested in the teaching of writing.  Students selecting this concentration are encouraged to select a second major or minor that will enhance future employment. 

In addition to the core requirements of the major, students must take:

  • ENGL 438 - Advanced Composition (3)
  • Five of the following courses:
    • ENGL 218 - Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
    • ENGL 220 - Technical Writing (3)
    • ENGL 315 - Professional Writing (3)
    • ENGL 430 - Topics in Writing (1-4)
    • ENGL 437 - Teaching and Tutoring Writing (3)
    • ENGL 454 - The Writing Life (3)
    • ENGL 467 - Creative Writing (3)
    • ENGL 497 - Writing Internship (1-3)
  • Two of the following courses:
    • ENGL 237 - American Literature to 1865 (3)
    • ENGL 274 - American Literature 1865-1914 (3)
    • ENGL 371 - English Literature to 1600 (3)
    • ENGL 372 - English Literature 1600-1800 (3)
    • ENGL 373 - English Literature 1800-1914 (3)
    • ENGL 403 - 20th-century English and American Literature (3)
    • ENGL 404 - Global Literature (3)
  • 8-10 additional credits from the Department of English offerings (excluding ENGL 115, 117 and 215) OR related writing courses such as:
    • DSGN 185 - InDesign (3)
    • JOUR 230 - Beginning Media Writing (3)
    • JOUR 330 - Advanced Media Writing (3)
    • JOUR 445 - Publication Production (3)
    • JOUR 465 - Advanced Topics in Journalism (3)
    • PLSC 316 - Legal Writing and Rhetoric (3)

English
Education

33-34 Credits

This concentration is appropriate for students seeking secondary teaching certification in pre-collegiate denominational or public schools. In addition to the requirements below, students must meet all the general education and professional education requirements. For further information, please see the Department of Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum.

In addition to the core requirements of the major, students must take: 

  • ENGL 300 - Modern English Grammar (4)
  • ENGL 403 - 20th-century English and American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 408 - Literature for Young Adults (2-3)
  • ENGL 437 - Teaching and Tutoring Writing (3)
  • ENGL 459 - Methods of Teaching English (3)
  • ENGL 460 - Linguistics (3)
  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 273 - American Literature to 1865 (3)
    • ENGL 274 - American Literature 1865-1914 (3)
  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 371 - English Litererature to 1600 (3)
    • ENGL 372 - English Literature 1600-1800 (3)
    • ENGL 373 - English Literature 1800-1914 (3)
  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 404 - Global Literature (3)
    • ENGL 415 - Gender Studies in Literature (3)
  • Two of the following courses:
    • ENGL 315 - Professional Writing (3)
    • ENGL 430 - Topics in Writing (3)
    • ENGL 438 - Advanced Composition (3)
    • ENGL 454 - The Writing Life (3)
    • ENGL 467 - Creative Writing (3)

English Minor

21 Credits

In this flexible program, students experience all three areas of English studies: literature, language, and writing. This minor pairs well with any major as enrichment in the area of the humanities.

Requirements:

  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 125 - Approaches to English Studies (3)
    • ENGL 225 - Approaches to Theoretical Discourse (3)
  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 404 - Global Literature (3)
    • ENGL 415 - Gender Studies in Literature (3)
    • ENGL 440 - Language and Culture (3)
  • 15 credits additional credits from the Department of English offerings (excluding ENGL 115, 117 and 215)

Writing Minor

21 Credits

A strong addition to any academic profile, the writing minor provides study and practice in writing for a range of audiences and purposes, while utilizing professional, digital, and creative genres.

Requirements:

  • ENGL 438 - Advanced Composition (3)
  • 18 credits to be selected from:
    • ENGL 220 - Technical Writing (3)
    • ENGL 300 - Modern English Grammar (3)
    • ENGL 315 - Professional Writing (3)
    • ENGL 345 - Introduction to Rhetoric (3)
    • ENGL 430 - Topics in Writing (3)
    • ENGL 437 - Teaching and Tutoring Writing (3)
    • ENGL 454 - The Writing Life (3)
    • ENGL 467 - Creative Writing (3)
    • ENGL 497 - Writing Internship (1-3)

English Education Minor

24 Credits

This content minor prepares students for certification to teach English at the secondary level. In addition to the requirements below, students must meet all the general education, content major, and professional education requirements. For further information, please see the Department of Teaching, Learning, & Curriculum.

Requirements:

  • ENGL 300 - Modern English Grammar (4)
  • ENGL 403 - 20th-century English and American Literature (3)
  • ENGL 408 - Literature for Young Adults (2)
  • ENGL 459 - Methods of Teaching English (3)
  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 273 - American Literature to 1865 (3)
    • ENGL 274 - American Literature 1865-1914 (3)
  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 371 - English Literature to 1600 (3)
    • ENGL 372 - English Literature 1600-1800 (3)
    • ENGL 373 - English Literature 1800-1914 (3)
  • One of the following courses:
    • ENGL 404 - Global Literature (3)
    • ENGL 415 - Gender Studies in Literature (3)
  • One of the following coures:
    • ENGL 315 - Professional Writing (3)
    • ENGL 430 - Topics in Writing (3)
    • ENGL 437 - Teaching and Tutoring Writing (3)
    • ENGL 438 - Advanced Composition (3)
    • ENGL 454 - The Writing Life (3)
    • ENGL 467 - Creative Writing (3)
  • Recommended:
    • ENGL 345 - Introduction to Rhetoric (3)
    • ENGL 460 - Linguistics (3)