English

The English major enables students to become fluent and expressive writers, critical and appreciative readers of literature, and imaginative thinkers. The curriculum offers a solid foundation in literary history, with attention to the full range of classical, British, American, and global traditions. This curriculum extends as well to the consideration of all standard literary genres, to selected special topics in literary study, and literary theory.

Requirements for the Major in English

The major requires successful completion of the following:

Course Requirements
Select a minimum of nine courses in English (ENGL) 136
Total Semester Hours36
Additional Requirements
A comprehensive examination 2
1

All majors are expected to take ENGL 357 and ENGL 358 and at least two other courses in pre-1750 English literature. Potential or actual English majors are strongly urged to take ENGL 200. Almost all majors take the full complement of eleven courses in English.

2

The exam must be taken in the final semester of enrollment. The beginning and advanced Creative Writing courses are excluded from coverage on the comprehensive examination, and they count as courses outside the major.

Honors

At the beginning of the final semester, an English major with an average of 3.50 or better in English courses may, at the discretion of the chair, elect a course of independent study — the English Tutorial. The student must be enrolled in ENGL 452, assigned a tutor for direction, and write a major essay as a step toward departmental honors. Students enrolled in ENGL 452 who demonstrate excellence in their tutorial papers and in the written comprehensive examination are invited to take a one-hour oral examination in order to qualify for departmental honors.

Courses with ENGL attribute:
AFST 320Black Autobiography in the United States4
AFST 351Toni Morrison4