Description
Students in the English program read, critique, and write about the best novels, short stories, plays, poetry, hypertexts, and films ever created. Over the course of their studies, English majors also develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, technological savvy, artistic abilities, historical and cultural awareness, and a wide range of writing proficiencies. Many go on to graduate programs in literature, law, film, and cultural studies.
Our graduates also are in high demand in a variety of fields, including teaching; information sciences; creative, professional, and technical writing; editing and publishing; counseling; business; law; web-design; research; information management, and corporate consulting.
Degree Requirements
Requirements of the English Major: 36 Credits
All English majors develop a foundational knowledge of literary genres, periods, and critical approaches. Within the major, they choose between four areas of specialization:
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1. Literature Track
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2. Creative Writing Track
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3. Professional Writing Track
| One of the following for all English majors: 3 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 235 | The Study of Fiction | | 3 |
| ENL 245 | The Study of Poetry | | 3 |
| ENL 265 | The Study of Drama | | 3 |
| ENL 280 | Introduction to Media Studies | | 3 |
| Six of the following for all English majors: 18 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 311 | American Literature to 1865 | | 3 |
| ENL 312 | American Literature 1865 to 1920 | | 3 |
| ENL 320 | Medieval Literature | | 3 |
| ENL 321 | Renaissance Literature | | 3 |
| ENL 322 | English literature of the 18th Century | | 3 |
| ENL 323 | English literature of the 19th Century | | 3 |
| ENL 334 | Transatlantic Modernisms | | 3 |
| ENL 335 | Post-1945 Literature | | 3 |
15 credits of special interest study meeting the requirements of one of the following four tracks:
Literature Track
| One of the following: 3 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 236 | Diverse Voices in Fiction | | 3 |
| ENL 285 | African American Literature | | 3 |
| ENL 295 | The Study of Folklore | | 3 |
| ENL 390 | Children's Literature | | 3 |
| One of the following: 3 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 326 | History of the English Language | | 3 |
| ENL 409 | Modern American English | | 3 |
| ENL 480 | Literary Criticism | | 3 |
| Three of the following: 9 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 460 | Topics in Literary History | | 3 |
| ENL 461 | Topics in Literature and Science | | 3 |
| ENL 462 | Topics in Genre | | 3 |
| ENL 463 | Topics in Authorial Studies | | 3 |
| ENL 464 | Topics in Race | | 3 |
| ENL 465 | Topics In Gender | | 3 |
| ENL 466 | Topics in Class | | 3 |
| ENL 467 | Topics in Cultural Studies | | 3 |
| ENL 468 | Topics in World Literature | | 3 |
| ENL 469 | Topics in Religion | | 3 |
Creative Writing Track
Acceptance into the Creative Writing Track is by portfolio submission. Students who have taken ENL 205 and at least one literature class may submit a track portfolio to the Creative Writing Committee. Portfolios are evaluated once a semester. Students not accepted should take classes fulfilling the Literature Track requirements, and may re-apply. It is recommended that students who wish to be admitted to the Creative Writing Track take ENL 245: Introduction to Poetry as their gateway course.
|
| | | cr. |
| ENL 205 | Introduction to Creative Writing | | 3 |
| One of the following: 3 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 301 | Writing of Fiction (Prerequisite ENL 205 or permission of Creative Writing Director) | | 3 |
| ENL 302 | Writing of Poetry (Prerequisite ENL 205 or permission of Creative Writing Director) | | 3 |
| ENL 304 | Writing of Screenplays | | 3 |
| ENL 305 | Freelance Writing for Print and Web | | 3 |
| Two of the following: 6 Credits (At least one course must be at the 400-level) |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 201 | The Journal | | 3 |
| ENL 301 | Writing of Fiction | | 3 |
| ENL 302 | Writing of Poetry | | 3 |
| ENL 304 | Writing of Screenplays | | 3 |
| ENL 305 | Freelance Writing for Print and Web | | 3 |
| ENL 401 | Advanced Writing of Fiction (Prerequisite ENL 301) | | 3 |
| ENL 402 | Advanced Writing of Poetry (Prerequisite ENL 302) | | 3 |
| ENL 405 | Editorial Processes and Products | | 3 |
| One of the following: |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 480 | Literary Criticism | | 3 |
| ENL 490 | Senior Seminar (taught by a Creative Writing faculty member) | | 3 |
Professional Writing Track
|
| | | cr. |
| ENL 202 | Writing Across the Curriculum | | 3 |
| Two of the following: 6 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 204 | Introduction to Business Writing | | |
| ENL 303 | Technical Writing | | |
| ENL 305 | Freelance Writing for Print and Web | | |
| ENL 306 | Research and Research Writing | | |
| ENL 326 | History of the English Language | | |
| Two of the following: 6 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 405 | Editorial Processes and Products | | 3 |
| ENL 409 | Modern American English | | 3 |
| ENL 491 | Information Design Laboratory | | 3 |
Media Studies Track
|
| | | cr. |
| ENL 280 | Introduction to Media Studies | | 3 |
| Two of the following: 6 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 255 | Studies in Film | | 3 |
| ENL 467 | Topics in Cultural Studies | | 3 |
| ENL 491 | Information Design Laboratory | | 3 |
| Two of the following: 6 Credits |
| | | cr. |
| ENL 305 | Freelance Writing for Print and Web | | 3 |
| ENL 375 | Film Genres | | 3 |
| ENL 376 | The Art of the Film | | 3 |
| ENL 405 | Editorial Processes and Products | | 3 |
Majors may take as many additional electives in English as they wish, providing they satisfy other degree requirements and achieve an overall balance in their studies. Upon completion of their degree requirements, all English majors submit a graduation portfolio demonstrating substantive work and writing. Students should consult with their English advisors for details.
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