Majors & Minors in English Language and Literature

The Department of English Language & Literature offers the major in English, the major in English with creative writing emphasis, and the minor in English. Students should plan their course of study, in consultation with their faculty advisors, as soon as they have decided upon the major.

Requirements for the Major in English

To complete the major in English, a student must complete a minimum of 36 credits, at least 24 of which are at the 300 level or above, and the following:

  • ENGL 220 major British Writers to 1785
  • ENGL 221 major British and American Writers from 1660
  • At least one course from  the two categories of Courses in Writing and Language
  • At least one course from the four categories of Advanced Courses in Literature
  • At least one course from each of the three following major genres:
  • Fiction: 331, 332, 333, 336, 337, 352, 353, 358, 362, 363, 370
  • Poetry: 323,324, 327, 329, 334, 335, 364, 371
  • Drama: 319, 326, 328, 350, 355
  • ENGL 326 or 328 Shakespeare

The two senior capstone courses:

  • ENGL 400 Critical Procedures in Language and Literature
  • ENGL 410 Senior Seminar

Requirements for the Major in English with an Emphasis in Creative Writing

To complete the major in English with an emphasis in creative writing, a students must complete a  minimum of 36 credits, at least 24 of which are at the 300 level or above, and the following:

  • ENGL 220 major British writers to 1785
  • ENGL 221 major British and American writers from 1660
  • Three creative writing workshops, including at least one at the advanced level, and
  • Covering at least two genres: fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, and/or literary translation. An appropriate internship or independent study can be substituted for one of these courses. Journalism does not count as one of the two genres.
  • At least one course from each of the three following major genres:
  • Fiction: 331, 332, 333, 336, 337, 352, 353, 358, 362, 363, 370
  • Poetry: 323, 324, 327, 329, 334, 335, 364, 371
  • Drama: 319, 326, 328, 350, 355
  • ENGL 326 or 328 Shakespeare

The two senior capstone courses:

  • ENGL 400 Critical Procedures in Language and Literature.
  • ENGL 410 Senior Seminar

Requirements for the Minor in English

A minor in English requires 18 credits, including 120 and at least 9 upper-division credits. The ENGL 220 - 221 sequence is recommended, but not required, for the minor. Minors should be planned in consultation with a departmental advisor and must include one course from each of the following: (1) A genre (319, 324, 326, 327, 328, 329, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 350, 352, 355, 358, 362 363, 364, 370, 371); (2) A historical period; and (3) a major figure (323, 324, 326, 328, 329, 353).