Major and Minor Programs

The literature concentration within the English major helps students draw distinctions and make connections among what they encounter in the pages of books, in their own writing, and in their personal experience. Through exploration of the major periods, authors, and forms, students delve into various critical methods, theories, and cultural traditions.

The writing concentration within the English major helps students critically examine and practice writing as both an act of inquiry and communication in a variety of styles and forms, including creative writing, nonfiction, journalism, media, and writing, rhetoric, & literacy. Through exploration of significant issues in writing, language, and learning in contemporary society as well as the development of craft and methods, students treat writing as a process, emphasizing drafting, revising, and editing as critical practices in developing effective communication and argument.

For a complete list of English courses, see the college course catalog.

English Major – Literature Concentration Requirements

The major with a literature concentration consists of at least ten English courses. These include:

• English 205
• English 206
• Eight additional courses, five of them numbered 300 or above
  • One of the electives must be 300-level course focused pre-1700
  • One must be a 300-level course focused 1700-1900
  • One must be a 300-level course focused after 1900
• No more than one semester of independent study (390/391) or thesis (495/496) may be included

In consultation with a department adviser, a student will select courses that emphasize various genres, literary and cultural traditions, and theoretical approaches.

**English 100 (Introduction to Academic Writing), English 202 (Writing Seminar), and 272/273 (Internship) do not count toward the literature concentration.

English Major – Writing Concentration Requirements

In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses at least ten literature and writing- or language-focused courses. These must include:

• English 205
• English 206
• Any three intermediate-level courses in nonfiction, journalism, creative writing, and writing & rhetoric
  • Such as English 151, 231, 240, 247, 250*, 251, 254, 255, 256, 272/273 (internship)
• Any five advanced-level courses in nonfiction, journalism, creative writing, and writing & rhetoric
  • Such as English 320, 350*, 351, 361, 362, 365, 395
• One of the electives must be 300-level course focused pre-1700
• No more than one semester of independent study or thesis may be included

**English 100 (Introduction to Academic Writing) does not count toward the writing concentration.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may be repeated for credit when they address different topics. The adviser will authorize counting special topics courses toward the concentration when they are offered with a writing focus.

English Minor

In consultation with a department adviser, a student selects a minimum of five English courses, including 205, and at least three courses numbered 300 or above. One semester of internship may count toward the five; English 100 (College Writing) may not count.

Writing Minor

In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses at least five writing- or language-focused courses, including English 205 or 206; any two intermediate-level courses in nonfiction, journalism, creative writing, and writing & rhetoric; and any two advanced-level courses in nonfiction, journalism, creative writing, and writing & rhetoric. See the suggested course numbers in the Writing Concentration section above for suggested course numbers. English 100 (College Writing) and English 202 (Writing Seminar) do not count toward the writing minor. This minor is not open to English majors.