The Department of English offers a four-year bachelor's degree program (minimum 39 credits) in English, American and world literatures. In addition, it allows students in other majors to earn a second major or a minor (19 credits). An emphasis on reading, critical thinking, research and writing produces graduates well-trained to negotiate constantly changing employment opportunities.
The composition courses (preliminary to the major) impart ways of reading, thinking and writing that are crucial for the successful major. The major program emphasizes a three-pronged approach to understanding the importance of literature: writing, literary theory and criticism, and literary history. These three values are offered in a wide-range of courses including a balance of British, American and world literature, single-author courses, specialized thematic and genre courses, interdisciplinary and multicultural courses.
Major Requirements: (39 credits)
Distribution Requirements:
Advanced Composition (3 credits)
One course from the following:
EN 201, EN 202, EN 212, EN 213, EN 214, EN 215, EN 302, EN 305, EN 351
Period British (9 credits)
Three courses from the following:
• One course from Pre-1785: EN 341, EN 345, EN 348, EN 350
• One course from Post-1785: EN 326, EN 352, EN 355
• One course from either of the above Period English courses
Period American (6 credits)
Two courses from the following:
• One course must be pre-1865: EN 365
• One course must be post-1865: EN 377, EN 380
Criticism & Theory (3 credits)
One course from the following:
EN 204 [new], EN 304 (preferably in sophomore or junior year)
Shakespeare (3 credits)
• EN 343 (preferably in junior or senior year)
Multicultural / Women (3 credits)
One course from the following:
EN 235, EN 265, EN 338, WS 235, WS 338
Senior Seminar (3 credits)
24 credits of the major must be completed before taking this course:
EN 460
English Electives (9 credits)
Three courses from the following:
• Any 200-level or higher English courses
Note: English majors in the master of teaching program must take EN 325. For these students, EN 325 counts as a British Period course.