English with a concentration in Literature, BA

The English department plays a pivotal role in developing a student’s writing and critical analysis skills. While pursuing the Bachelor of Arts with a major in English, you can choose from concentrations in literature, writing and rhetoric, creative writing, and language arts with secondary teacher certification.

Degree requirements

Hours required and general/college requirements

A minimum of 120 semester hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree as specified in the “General University Requirements” in the Academics section of this catalog and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences requirements.

Major requirements

Required courses, 18 hours

ENGL 1310 - College Writing I
ENGL 1320 - College Writing II
ENGL 3000 - Introduction to Literary Analysis and Interpretation Skills
Note: ENGL 3000 should be taken in the first 18 hours of English course work.

6 additional hours

Students choose two of the following courses:

Diversity requirement

Students choose one course from the following.

Literature concentration, 24 hours

No fewer than three 4000-level courses must be included in the 24 hours.

One course chosen from

ENGL 4410 - Chaucer
ENGL 4430 - Shakespeare
ENGL 4440 - Milton
ENGL 4450 - Special Studies in a Single or Dual Author(s)
Note: ENGL 4410, ENGL 4430, ENGL 4440, and ENGL 4450 will also count toward the historical period courses requirement.

One course chosen from

One course each in four of the five historical periods

Medieval, Renaissance, 18th Century, 19th Century and 20th/21st Century (four total). See lists below.

Historical period courses

Medieval literature

Designated sections of

Renaissance literature

Designated sections of

18th century literature

Designated sections of

19th century literature

Designated sections of

20th and 21st century literature

Designated sections of

Other course requirements

None.

Electives

Hours required for electives may vary based on course selection and the University Core Curriculum requirements. Electives may be required to satisfy the advanced hour requirement (42) and/or the minimum total hours required for the degree. For specific information see an academic advisor in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

Other requirements

A minimum grade of C is required in all English courses counting toward the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English and a concentration in literature.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all English courses is required for graduation.