English, B.A. (ENGAL)

Majors explore the imaginative and practical uses of English through courses in literature, writing, rhetoric, and language. They develop perspectives on human nature and cultural values through American, British, and other English literatures; they learn how to gather, analyze, synthesize, and communicate information; they gain mastery over their language. These skills help English majors find careers in such fields as publishing, business, industry, government, and teaching. English majors often go on to postgraduate study not only in English but in such areas as law, business, education, or other liberal disciplines.

Majors can emphasize writing, literature, or rhetoric, or a mix of literature, writing, and rhetoric. All provide a liberal education and all develop analytic and writing skills. Qualified students may participate in the career internship and in the English honors program.

Students interested in earning certification in secondary education should contact the College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction. (See also Teacher Education Programs.)

For the B.A. degree in English, a minimum of 123 credits is required.

The English major consists of twelve courses (36 credits), six of which are either prescribed or must be drawn from a particular group of courses.

In consultation with an adviser, at least three 400-level credits – from either the required or supporting courses – must fulfill a departmental diversity requirement for a course related to race, gender, sexuality, disability, ethnicity, and/or postcolonial issues.

Required Courses (18 credits)

  • ENGL 200 or ENGL 201 (3 credits)
  • One 400-level course in each of the following areas:
    • Medieval through Sixteenth Century (3 credits)
    • Sixteenth Century through Eighteenth Century (3 credits)
    • The Nineteenth Century (3 credits)
    • Twentieth Century to the Present (3 credits)
  • ENGL 487W or ENGL 494H (3 credits)

Supporting Courses and Related Areas (18 credits)

18 credits in literature, writing, or rhetoric, at least 9 of which must be at the 300/400 level.

All major courses must be completed with at least a grade of C or better.