English B.A.

Mission Statement

The English program helps develop academic skills for critical thinking, as well as oral and written expression. English majors learn how to analyze and respond to a variety of texts. They also learn how to write in and about various academic disciplines. These skills allow students to broaden their critical and social perspectives as well as their imagination, thereby helping them to succeed in their collegiate and post-collegiate careers.

Learning Outcomes

• Can write in multiple formats with exceptional clarity and insight;
• Can offer complex and thoughtful interpretations of texts. This includes traditional texts, such as printed prose and poetry, and non-traditional forms such as graphic novels, films, and digital media;
• Has a broad understanding of various literary periods and literary theory, as well as specific knowledge of emerging areas in literary study;
• Understands the importance of multicultural literary contributions.  

Curriculum

College Core Curriculum (31-44)

English (3-8 credits)

Refer to the English section of the Core Curriculum

Study and Technology Skills (0-2 credits)

Refer to the Study and Technology Skills section of the Core Curriculum

Mathematics (3-5 credits)

Refer to the Mathematics section of the Core Curriculum

Natural Sciences (7-8 credits)

Refer to the Natural Sciences section of the Core Curriculum

Social Sciences (3 credits)

Refer to the Social Sciences section of the Core Curriculum

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum

Humanities (6 credits)

Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum

Constitution (3-6 credits)

Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum

Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

Refer to the Cultural Diversity section of the Core Curriculum

Major Requirements (39)

Fundamentals (9 credits)

ENG 298	Writing About Literature	3.00
ENG 303	Introduction to Literary Criticism	3.00
ENG 326	Junior Seminar	3.00

History (12 credits)

A. Ancient Literature

Select one course from the following:

ENG 231	World Literature I	3.00
ENG 484A	The Bible as Literature	3.00

B. Medieval and Renaissance Literaure

Select one course from the following:

ENG 235	Survey of English Literature	3.00
ENG 432A	Chaucer	3.00
ENG 440A	Medieval English Literature	3.00
ENG 449A	British Literature I	3.00

C. 17th - 19th Century Literature

Select one course from the following:

ENG 232	World Literature II	3.00
ENG 241	Survey of American Literature I	3.00
ENG 436A	Major Figures in American Literature	3.00
ENG 444A	The Romantic Movement	3.00
ENG 445A	The Victorian Period	3.00

Note: ENG 436A (if topic is 1700-1900)

D. 20th and 21st Century Literature

Select one course from the following:

ENG 292	Introduction to Chicano Literature	3.00
ENG 436A	Major Figures in American Literature	3.00
ENG 446A	Modern British Literature	3.00
ENG 447A	Contemporary British Literature	3.00
ENG 450A	Studies in 20th Century Literature	3.00
ENG 451B	American Literature II	3.00
ENG 462C	Modern American Poetry	3.00
ENG 462E	Contemporary American Poetry	3.00
ENG 494A	Native American Literature	3.00
ENG 495C	African-American Literature	3.00

Note: ENG 436A (if topic is 1900- )

Emerging Areas of Literature Study (12 credits)

D. Gender, Race, and Sexuality

Select one course from the following:

ENG 427A	Women and Literature	3.00
ENG 490A	Gender and Sexual Identity in Literature	3.00

A. Literature and Visual Media

Select one course from the following:

ENG 277	Introduction to the Graphic Novel	3.00
ENG 476B	History of the American Film	3.00
ENG 477A	Film and Literature	3.00
ENG 477C	Genre Studies in Film	3.00

C. Postcolonialsm, Imperialism, Transnational Studies

Select one course from the following:

ENG 485A	Asian Literature	3.00
ENG 486A	Studies in Post-colonial Literature and Theory	3.00
ENG 494A	Native American Literature	3.00
ENG 496A	Themes in Modern Chicano Literature	3.00
ENG 496C	Topics in Middle Eastern Literature	3.00
ENG 497A	Topics in Multicultural Literature	3.00

B. Genre Studies

Select one course from the following:

ENG 205	Introduction to Creative Writing, Fiction and Poetry	3.00
ENG 226	Memoir and Autobiography	3.00
ENG 473C	Contemporary American Novel	3.00
ENG 481A	Comparative Literature	3.00
ENG 485	Topics in Comparative Literature	3.00
ENG 495C	African-American Literature	3.00
ENG 496A	Themes in Modern Chicano Literature	3.00
ENG 496C	Topics in Middle Eastern Literature	3.00
ENG 497A	Topics in Multicultural Literature	3.00

English Electives (6 credits)

Choose any two courses from the groups above not already used.

Honors Option

Students that wish to work on an advanced literary project can apply to work individually with a faculty member and take ENG 498 (Honors Thesis) their senior year. This will substitute for 1 English elective. The honors class is designed for students that want to go on to graduate school and are willing to work on a directed study with an English faculty member. The student must defend their final project to a review board consisting of English Faculty members.

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in English

College Core Curriculum	31-44
Major Core Requirements	39
Electives (at least 21 credits must be Upper Division)	37-50
Total Credits	120