The Major
Any student can enroll in the English major, but students must complete the following sequence to proceed in the major: first, ENGLWRIT 112 College Writing with a grade of C or better before they can enroll in English 200 Intensive Literary Studies. Exceptions are students who have tested out of College Writing and Talent Advancement Program students who take College Writing and ENGLISH 200 simultaneously. Students must earn a GPA of 2.00 or higher in all major requirements. English 200 can be taken concurrently with any 200-level course. English 200 Intensive Literary Studies (1 course) One course in early modern British Literature (Shakespeare counts) (1 course) Departmental Electives (3 courses) Writing and Criticism (1 course) Integrative Experience (1 course) Restrictions on acceptance of transfer credit: Options within the English Major The Department also offers five areas of focus that confer Letters of Specialization: American Studies, Creative Writing, New Media and Digital Humanities, Professional Writing and Technical Communication (PWTC) and the Study and Practice of Writing (SPOW). American Studies offers a concentration that enables students to shape an interdisciplinary course of study in American culture, combining courses in literature with courses from other disciplines, such as history, art or Afro-American studies. Creative Writing involves a series of courses, mostly in the form of workshops, that develop students' craft in the writing of poetry, fiction or drama. New Media and Digital Humanities aims to better prepare interested students for jobs that require both a familiarity with technology and sound written and communication skills. We believe this specialization will also help our students become better critically informed and productive digital citizens. PWTC provides training in professional research and editing, grant writing, software and hardware documentation, report writing, and business communications. SPOW prepares students to rhetorically analyze, effectively participate in, and critically reflect on writing experiences across disciplines, professional workplaces, and community and civic environments. Majors interested in Letters of Specialization should consult the Department's website for more information. English majors are urged to consider the possibility of study abroad by taking advantage of the Department’s summer program in Oxford, or by engaging in a semester or year-long program at universities in Great Britain, Ireland, and other countries. Honors in English |
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