College of Liberal Arts
Curriculum in English
The Literature Track
Over 85 percent of our English majors pursue the Literature Track. Students seeking certification at the secondary level generally employ the Literature Track as the foundation for their degrees. This track provides students with over 30 hours of intensive study in English language and literature courses, including ENGL 231—Survey of English Literature to 1800; ENGL 412—Studies in Shakespeare; and ENGL 481—Senior Seminar on a significant figure, movement, or issue in literature or rhetoric.
The Creative Writing Track
English majors who wish to focus their efforts in creative writing will follow the usual major requirements, but will take 9 hours of courses in creative writing (fiction, poetry or drama) for their English electives, selecting either a prose sequence (ENGL 235, 345, 347) or a poetry sequence (ENGL 236, 346, 348). Students will complete a creative writing project (ENGL 485 or 497) or, with permission, an ENGL 481, Senior Seminar.
The Rhetoric Track
English majors who wish to concentrate their studies on the theory and practice of written communication may take the rhetoric track, by completing 15 hours of course work in writing and rhetoric including ENGL 353, 354 and 355, 12 hours of literature electives, and a senior seminar. Selections will be made in consultation with an English advisor or the Writing Programs Office.
Minor Field of Study
English majors are advised, but not required, to select a minor field of study. Students who elect to complete a minor should contact the department or program that offers the minor to determine the requirements for that minor. A grade of C or higher is required for a course to be counted in the minor field. A minor field must be declared before the student has completed 75 credit hours.