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English Program

English Program > Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements

Requirements for All Majors, Who Must Complete the Following 36 Credits in English

  1. L 140 Introduction to English Studies (3 cr.)
  2. L 202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
    Students should take L 140 and L 202 as soon as possible after declaring a major. English majors entering the program in the fall of 2003 and thereafter need to take L 140 and L 202 before they can enroll for any 300-level or higher elective courses. With permission from the instructor, students may take an upper-division course concurrently with L 140 and L 202.
  3. Two British literature survey courses from L 297, L 298, L 299 (or an approved substitute) (6 cr.)
  4. Two American literature survey courses from L 351, L 352, L 354 (or an approved substitute) (6 cr.)
  5. The 400-level capstone course (concentration specific to writing or literature) (3 cr.)
  6. Concentration-specific electives (see details below) (15 cr.)

1L351, L352, and L354 cannot be used as 300-level electives

Prerequisite W 290 Writing in the Arts and Sciences should be completed within the first 60 credit hours of college credit.

Substitutions English majors may substitute any 300- or 400-level literature elective with appropriate historical breadth for L 297, L 298, L 299, L 351, L 352, or L 354; such substitutions cannot also be used as elective credit. See the Schedule of Classes for electives that may be substituted for these surveys or speak with your departmental advisor.

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Literature Concentration Majors

Requirements   12 of the 15 credit hours of electives in literature must be taken at the 300 level or above.  

A minimum of 3 credit hours must be chosen from one of the following categories:

  • International English Literature (e.g., L 383 Studies in British or Commonwealth Culture)
  • Multicultural Literature (e.g., L 374 Ethnic American Literature, A 380 Contemporary Black American Writing, or L 364 Native American Literature)
  • Literature in Translation (e.g., L 365 Modern Drama: Continental)
  • A minimum of 3 credit hours (300 level or higher) must be devoted to a course focusing on a single author or with an otherwise very limited focus. (e.g. L 313, L 314; or L 369).

See Schedule of Classes for approved options or speak to your departmental advisor.  

Recommendations : The department encourages electives in a variety of periods in American and British literature, and especially in Shakespeare and other major figures. It also recommends a course in British or American history before taking the capstone course.

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Writing Concentration Majors

Requirements

  1. G 205 Introduction to English Language (3 cr.) or G 301 History of the English Language (3 cr.)
  2. W 203 Creative Writing (3 cr.)
  3. W 350 Advanced Expository Writing (3 cr.) or W 420 Argumentative Writing (3 cr.)
  4. W 490 Writing Seminar (3 cr.) (capstone credit hours are included in part 1 above)
  5. Six (6) credit hours of electives from: ENG-G 205, G 301, L 381, L 498, W 207, W 231, W 234, W 270 (unless taking W 420), W 301, W 303, W 310, W 311, W 315, W 350, W 395, W 398, W 401, W 403, W 405, W 410, W 411, W 420 (unless taking W 270), W 497, W 498; JOUR-J 200; THTR-T 453, T 454.

Recommendations   The department urges writing concentration majors to complete above requirements 1, 2, 3, and 5 before taking W490.

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Recommendations for All English Majors

The department urges all majors to consider taking ENG-G 301 History of the English Language and PHIL-P 150 Elementary Logic, as well as other electives outside their concentration.

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Requirements for a Minor in English

Eighteen (18) credit hours at the 200 level or above, including:

  1. L 202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
  2. Nine (9) credit hours in literature survey courses chosen from the following: L 297, L 298, L 299, L 351, L 352, L 354
  3. One of the following (3 cr.):
    1. L 313 Early Plays of Shakespeare
    2. L 314 Late Plays of Shakespeare

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Requirements for a Minor in Writing

Eighteen (18) credit hours at the 200 level or above, including:

  1. G 205 Introduction to the English Language (3 cr.)
  2. W 203 Creative Writing (3 cr.)
  3. One of the following (3 cr.):
    1. W 231 Professional Writing Skills
    2. W 234 Technical Writing
    3. W 290 Writing in the Arts and Sciences
    4. W 315 Composing Computer-Delivered Text
  4. W 350 Advanced Expository Writing (3 cr.)
  5. One of the following (3 cr.):
    1. W 270 Argumentative Writing
    2. W 420 Argumentative Writing
  6. Electives: 3 additional credit hours in a course chosen from the following: ENG-W 207, W 231, W 234, W 290, W 301, W 303, W 310, W 311, W 315, W 395, W 398, W 401, W 403, W 405, W 410, W 411, W 490, W 497, W 498; JOUR-J 200; THTR-T 453, T 454

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Associate of Arts in English

In addition to the courses listed under "General Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degrees," students desiring an Associate of Arts in English must complete the following beyond English W131:

  1. W 290 Writing in the Arts and Sciences (3 cr.)
  2. L 202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
  3. One of the following survey courses in British Literature (3 cr.): L 297, L 298, L 299
  4. One of the following survey courses in American literature (3 cr.): L 351, L 352, L 354
  5. One of the following (3 cr.): a. L 313 Early Plays of Shakespeare b. L 314 Late Plays of Shakespeare
  6. One additional English course at the 200-300 level, excluding G 207 and W 231 (3 cr.)

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