The English Major
Guidelines for students who declared before Summer 2007
Guidelines for students who declared after Summer 2007
Guidelines for students who declared after Summer 2007
The English major consists of twelve courses (36 credits), seven of which are either prescribed or must be drawn from a particular group of courses. These courses are briefly explained below. The other five are additional English courses, which can be completed in a variety of ways, as long as three are at the 300-400 level.
The checklist on the next page displays the 36-credit English major requirements. The required twelve courses do not necessarily have to be taken in the order in which they appear on the checklist.
- English 200--examines the questions we ask of all literary works. Some students feel better prepared for this course after they have taken one or two literature classes.
- English 201—explores the long-contested question “What is Literature?” It does so by inquiring into the nature of literary discourse as illustrated by narrative fiction, lyric poetry, and drama.
- English 221--examines how literary themes and forms evolved during the one thousand years of English literature before 1798. This course provides an understanding of how literature changes and adapts to new historical circumstances.
- English 222, 231, 232, or 235, --these courses examine British and/or American literature written in a specific historical period. Again, choose one from this group.
- English 300-400 level pre-1800 and post-1800**--you must select a course in both of these categories (see p. 49 for a list of possible courses). The pre-1800 courses study British literature only.
- English 487W, Senior Seminar--Taken during your seventh or eighth semester, each Senior Seminar section has a maximum enrollment of 15 students to foster intense and invigorating discussion. Seminar topics or themes have included Elizabethan love poetry, autobiographical writings, Victorian detective fiction, and Fitzgerald and Hemingway, to name just a few. Please note: English 487W is offered during Fall and Spring semesters only; it is not offered during the Summer Session.
- The five English additional courses (fifteen credits) can be taken in one of two ways. You can take a variety of courses that appeal to you but are not necessarily related, or you can focus your electives in a defined emphasis or in a personalized program of study.
** race, gender, ethnic, and minority literatures
ENGLISH MAJOR CHECKLIST
To complete the B.A. in English, a student must complete twelve 3-credit courses. Eighteen credits must be at the 400 level, and no more than six may be at the 001-199 level. English 004, 005, 015, 030, and 202 cannot be used to satisfy major requirements. English 487W cannot be used to satisfy lines 5-11.
- Methods and Perspectives: English 200
- Methods and Perspectives: English 201
- Traditions A: English 221
- Traditions B: English 222, 231, 232, or 235
* * * * * * * *
- 300-400 level English, pre-1800 (see approved list)
- 300-400 level English, post-1800, race, gender, ethnic, and minority literature (see approved list)
- 300-400 level English
- 300-400 level English
- 300-400 level English
- English, any level
- English, any level
- English 487W (senior seminar) or English 310H (senior honors essay)*
If you are completing an emphasis within the English major, most courses will be used on lines 7-11 on this checklist.
With the approval of the director of Undergraduate Studies, you may substitute up to six credits at the same course level offered in other units. These credits may not be double counted with major and General Education requirements.
*All major courses must be completed with at least a grade of C or better.
