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Bachelor of Arts, Majors and Minors

English

General Description

The study of literature is the study of culture itself: the stories and myths, values and ideals, struggles and conflicts that shape us as individuals and as collectives. Courses in the English Department are designed to increase the literary, cultural, and critical awareness of students, and to help them develop the skills necessary to express their ideas effectively: in addition to the literary studies, we offer courses in writing, rhetoric, and public speaking.

The department offers undergraduate course work at three levels: 100 (: University Writing, Literature and Culture, and Literature and Criticism), 200 (University Writing II, Literature and Culture II, Literature and Criticism II, Literature and Traditions, and Book Club), and 300-400 (Advanced).

Although courses numbered 300 and 400 may be taken by either third- or fourth-year students (except for ENGL 490, Special Project), the department distinguishes between 300-level courses as more traditional, broad-based courses, and 400-level courses as more experimental and focused courses.

All English courses require that students write supervised examinations and demonstrate the ability to meet the department’s requirements.

Note: The English Department considers a minimum “C+” (2.33) average in first- and second-year courses to be a reasonable foundation for success in upper-level English courses.

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including courses listed below:

Year 1

Minimum six credits as follows:

  • Any two of the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each:
    • ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research)
    • ENGL 125 - (Literature and Culture)
    • ENGL 135 - (Literature and Criticism)
  • Or both of the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each:

Note: The English department recommends that English majors take ENGL 125 and 135.

Year 2

Minimum twelve credits of 200-level English courses from the following categories:

Note: Students who have already completed ENGL 200, 201, and/or other additional credits of 200-level English literature can still use these courses to meet the English Major and Minor requirements.
Note: Select courses in other disciplines may be used to meet the 12 credit requirement, at the discretion of the Department Chair.

1. University Writing II

Courses in this category of study add to the development of the critical thinking and reading, academic and professional writing and research skills introduced in first year. Clustered around specific topics for each courses, readings introduce and engage in significant contemporary issues and debates. In–class writing workshops provide an opportunity for discussing and practicing key aspects of good writing.
ENGL 203, ENGL 204, and ENGL 207.

2. Literature and Culture II

Courses in this category of study examine the relationships between literature and its historical, political, and cultural contexts. They may take up questions of literary genre, period, movement, and dominant themes or explore the boundaries of literary convention and approaches to literature speaking either to specialized tastes or to alternative interpretive communities. The exploration of cultural differences enriches students' understanding of their own as well as other cultures. While the courses are not primarily theoretical, they may take up defining theoretical aspects of the subject. Courses emphasize reading, research, and writing.
ENGL 220, ENGL 221, ENGL 222, ENGL 230, ENGL 231, ENGL 232 and ENGL 233.

3. Literature and Criticism II

Courses in this category focus on practical applications of reading literature through the lens of critical theory. They explore how different theoretical premises shape our understanding and writing about literature by introducing students to select contemporary critical theories. Courses may focus on different literary genres,periods, movements, and themes.
ENGL 240.

4. Literature and Traditions

Courses in this category examine topics in literature in historical settings. They may relate current to past practices to understand the present in light of the past and/or to offset the foreignness of the past. They may study literary traditions for their own sake and interest, addressing compelling aspects of tradition as if outside of time. Topics may draw on different literary genres. Courses emphasize reading, research, and writing.
ENGL 273 and ENGL 274.

5. Book Club

An alternative experience of literature, with some student choice in the selection of readings and a non–genre, period, or theme–based approach. This course is about taking journeys of the mind and daring to be goaded, dismayed, delighted, inspired, and moved. Why do we read? For the love of it.
ENGL 280.

Years 3 and 4

Minimum of thirty credits of English courses numbered 300 or above, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (“C”), including:

  • six credits of pre-1700 Literature:
  • six credits of 1700-1900 Literature:
  • three credits of Critical Theory/Practical Criticism:
  • three credits of 20th Century Literature:
    • ENGL 317 - (Studies in Drama)
    • ENGL 321 - (Literary Theory from 1900)
    • ENGL 402 - (Studies in West Coast Literature)
    • ENGL 403 - (Environmental Literature)
    • ENGL 406 - (Studies in Post-Colonial Literatures)
    • ENGL 407 - (Studies in Globalization and Culture)
    • ENGL 414 - (Modern and Contemporary World Drama)
    • ENGL 417 - (Post-Modernism in Literature)
    • ENGL 420 - (Gay and/or Lesbian Literature)
    • ENGL 432 - (American Literature from 1900)
    • ENGL 436 - (British Literature from 1900 to 1945)
    • ENGL 438 - (British Literature from 1945)
    • ENGL 450 - (Canadian Fiction)
    • ENGL 451 - (Canadian Drama)
    • ENGL 452 - (Canadian Poetry)
  • twelve* additional credits

* Of the twelve additional credits the English department recommends a course in Canadian Literature:

And a course with a cross-multicultural focus:
  • ENGL 405 - (Inter-American Studies)
  • ENGL 406 - (Studies in Post-Colonial Literatures)
  • ENGL 407 - (Studies in Globalization and Culture)

Note: The English Department recommends that students planning to take graduate studies complete ENGL 490 - (Special Project).

Note: Students should be aware that course content for courses such as ENGL 316, 318, 415, and 416 can vary from semester to semester. Consequently, these courses may meet period coverage requirements. Also, these courses can sometimes be taken more than once if content is different. Consult the Department Chair for further information.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including courses listed below:

Year 1

Minimum six credits as follows:

  • Any two of the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each:
    • ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research)
    • ENGL 125 - (Literature and Culture)
    • ENGL 135 - (Literature and Criticism)
  • Or both of the following courses with a minimum grade of "C" in each:

Year 2

Minimum six* credits of 200-level English courses from the following categories:

* An additional 3 credit 200–level course taken from any category, listed below, is strongly recommended. Select courses in other disciplines may meet this requirement, at the discretion of the Department Chair.

Note: Students who have already completed ENGL 200, 201, and/or other additional credits of 200-level English literature can still use these courses to meet the English Major and Minor requirements.

1. University Writing II

Courses in this category of study add to the development of the critical thinking and reading, academic and professional writing and research skills introduced in first year. Clustered around specific topics for each courses, readings introduce and engage in significant contemporary issues and debates. In–class writing workshops provide an opportunity for discussing and practicing key aspects of good writing.
ENGL 203, ENGL 204, and ENGL 207.

2. Literature and Culture II

Courses in this category of study examine the relationships between literature and its historical, political, and cultural contexts. They may take up questions of literary genre, period, movement, and dominant themes or explore the boundaries of literary convention and approaches to literature speaking either to specialized tastes or to alternative interpretive communities. The exploration of cultural differences enriches students' understanding of their own as well as other cultures. While the courses are not primarily theoretical, they may take up defining theoretical aspects of the subject. Courses emphasize reading, research, and writing.
ENGL 220, ENGL 221, ENGL 222, ENGL 230, ENGL 231, ENGL 232 and ENGL 233.

3. Literature and Criticism II

Courses in this category focus on practical applications of reading literature through the lens of critical theory. They explore how different theoretical premises shape our understanding and writing about literature by introducing students to select contemporary critical theories. Courses may focus on different literary genres,periods, movements, and themes.
ENGL 240.

4. Literature and Traditions

Courses in this category examine topics in literature in historical settings. They may relate current to past practices to understand the present in light of the past and/or to offset the foreignness of the past. They may study literary traditions for their own sake and interest, addressing compelling aspects of tradition as if outside of time. Topics may draw on different literary genres. Courses emphasize reading, research, and writing.
ENGL 273 and ENGL 274.

5. Book Club

An alternative experience of literature, with some student choice in the selection of readings and a non–genre, period, or theme–based approach. This course is about taking journeys of the mind and daring to be goaded, dismayed, delighted, inspired, and moved. Why do we read? For the love of it.
ENGL 280.

Years 3 and 4:

Eighteen credits of English courses numbered 300 or above, with a minimum GPA of "C" (2.0), including:

  • three credits of pre-1700 Literature:
  • three credits of Canadian Literature:
  • twelve* additional credits

* Of the twelve additional credits the English department recommends a course in Canadian Literature:

And a course with a cross-multicultural focus:
  • ENGL 405 - (Inter-American Studies)
  • ENGL 406 - (Studies in Post-Colonial Literatures)
  • ENGL 407 - (Studies in Globalization and Culture)

Calendar Description of Courses

For generic descriptions of all English courses, please consult the Online Calendar.

Recommended Electives

Disciplines that complement English are Art & Design, Creative Writing, Film Studies, History, Liberal Studies, Linguistics, Media Studies, Philosophy, and Women’s Studies. Students should consult with Advisors and the English department on appropriate electives.

English Major or Minor with the Bachelor of Education

For information on admission to the Bachelor of Education program, please contact the Education Advising Office at 250-740-6223.

Updated: April 27, 2012