English Major

Students may major or minor in English, minor in journalism or film, concentrate in creative writing, or obtain a teaching certificate. The English Department participates in the Cooperative Education Program to offer students career-oriented work opportunities.

For English majors minoring in film or journalism: Only two minor courses may be counted towards the English major.

Students should note that ENWR 105 College Writing I: Intellectual Prose and ENWR 106 College Writing II: Writing and Literary Study are prerequisites for all other English courses with the exception of ENFL courses.

The English major consists of 34 semester hours of English courses including a required course, The Pursuits of English (4 semester hours) and 30 semester hours of English Department courses numbered 200 and above. Students must select courses that address two sets of guidelines. (Note that a single course may address more than one guideline.)

Guidelines, Part I.

Address all three of the following areas as indicated:

• Literature: At least four literature courses, including at least two courses that pay significant attention to literature prior to the 20th Century, one of which must deal with literature prior to 1800.
• Writing: At least one writing intensive course, usually chosen from courses designated ENWR.
• Genre Study: Significant attention to at least three of these four creative genres: fiction, poetry, drama or film (film genre courses only).

Guidelines, Part II.

Address the following five areas as indicated:

• Multinational Study: Significant attention to texts or films from at least one national literature or culture other than American or British.
• Minority Writers: Significant study of several writers or film makers from one or more minority cultures of this country.
• Women Writers: Significant study of women writers or film makers.
• Gender Studies: Significant study of the development or  expression of gender roles or identities in literary texts or films.
• Class Issues: Significant attention to works that raise issues of social class.

Total number of semester hours: . . . . . . . . . 34

Considerations: Most of these guidelines can be satisfied either by an entire course or a portion of a course. Since instructors may teach the same course differently, and course content may vary from semester to semester, students should consult departmental pre-registration publications and seek advisement for information about satisfaction of guidelines. Course descriptions and the guidelines satisfied by each course are also posted on the web. A student may not receive credit for the same course more than once, except for courses titled "Special Topics" or "Seminar." Students are encouraged to plan, with advice, flexible programs to meet their own interests and needs. Consult your advisor to develop an appropriate plan of study.

Note: The following courses, offered by the Linguistics Department may also be used toward the total 34 credits of the English major, although they might not satisfy any guidelines: LNGN 220, Structure of American English; LNGN 284, History of the English Language; LNGN 384, The Grammars of English.