English Major

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This major prepares students for careers in business and government, and for professions ranging from law and medicine to publishing.

For department information or additional degree requirements, go to the English department page.

For related information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm

Total Credits Required 120 Credits

General Education 30-40 Credits

Required Courses in Major 52 Credits

English Core Courses: 24 Credits

EN 247 - Introduction to Literary Studies 4 Credits
EN 366 - Applied Literary Theory 4 Credits
EN 493 - English Capstone Seminar 4 Credits
EN 283 - Survey of British Literature I [INTT] 4 Credits or
EN 284 - Survey of British Literature II [INTT] 4 Credits
EN 285 - Survey of American Literature [HUME] 4 Credits or
EN 286 - Survey of American Literature II [HUME] 4 Credits

Choose one World Literature/Diversity course from the following: 4 Credits

EN 250 - Introduction to Gender and Sexuality in Literature [INTT] 4 Credits
EN 311 - World Literature in English [SOCR] 4 Credits
EN 311Z - World Literature in English [SOCR] [GCIT] 4 Credits
EN 314 - Traditional Oral Literatures: Selected Native American Cultures [SOCR] [GCIT] 4 Credits
EN 316 - Native American Novels and Poetry [SOCR] [GCIT] 4 Credits
EN 317 - Native American Drama, Nonfiction and Short Stories [SOCR] [GCIT] 4 Credits
EN 375 - Diverse Traditions in American Literature [SOCR] 4 Credits
EN 375Z - Diverse Traditions in American Literature [SOCR] [GCIT] 4 Credits
EN 378 - Early African-American Literature [SOCR] 4 Credits
EN 379 - Modern African-American Literature [SOCR] 4 Credits
EN 440 - Topics in Gender in Literature 4 Credits

Concentration: 24 Credits

Choose a concentration: Literature or Writing

Concentration - Literature: 24 Credits

Upper-Level Literature Courses (300+) 8 Credits
Literature Elective 4 Credits
English Electives* 8 Credits

Choose one course from the following: 4 Credits

EN 412 - Chaucer 4 Credits
EN 420 - Shakespeare 4 Credits
EN 422 - Milton 4 Credits
EN 430 - Major Authors 4 Credits

Concentration - Writing: 24 Credits

Upper-Level Writing Courses (300+) 8 Credits
Upper-Level Writing Course (400+) 4 Credits
Upper-Level Literature Courses (300+) 8 Credits
English Electives* 4 Credits

Language Requirement 4 Credits

EN 414 - History of the English Language 4 Credits
Minimum completion of EN 414 or one semester of a language other than modern English.

Notes:

*EN 090 , EN 103 , EN 109 , EN 111 , and EN 211 may not be used as English electives.

Pre-1800 Literature Course Requirement

English majors must complete a 4 credit pre-1800 literature course, which may be fulfilled through the listed program requirements or taken as an elective. Pre-1800 literature courses include: EN 220 , EN 283 , EN 310 , EN 312 , EN 320 EN 322 , EN 330 , EN 370 , EN 412 , EN 420 , EN 422 , and EN 295 /EN 495 /EN 430 when topic is appropriate.

A minor is not required for this major.

Amended 3/2025