1. Home
  2. Colleges
  3. College of Arts and Sciences
  4. English Department
  5. Undergraduate Program (BA)

The Undergraduate Major

"Every time I read Pride and Prejudice, I want to dig her up and hit her over the skull with her own shin-bone."

- Mark Twain on Jane Austen

01

 

Requirements for the English Major

  • 2.0 GPA or better.
  • At least 120 total hours. (NOTE:  Even if all other requirements are met, you might need additional hours.  You must have 120 to graduate.)
  • 32 hours of 300- and/or 400-level coursework at USA.
  • 15 hours of 300- and/or 400-level coursework in English at USA.
  • 9 hours of 400-level coursework in English at USA.
  • 39 hours of English coursework, excluding freshman composition.  (NOTE:  Only four 200-level courses can count toward this requirement.)
  • Minor field, other than English.  At least 9 hours must be completed at USA.
  • Writing portfolio.
  • Distribution requirements A-G (below).

A) Survey Sequence. One of the following pairs:  215/216, 225/226, or 235/236.

B) Gateway course. EH 300 must be completed prior to enrollment in any 400-level English course.

C) Literature prior to 1660. At least one of the following:  314, 315, 321, 322, 323, 324, 461, 465, 467, 470, 471, 472. NOTE:  Classical Mythology (EH/PHL/REL/CLA 310) cannot satisfy this requirement.

D) British or American literature, 1660-1900. At least one of the following:  331, 332, 334, 340, 342, 343, 351, 352, 353, 354, 462, 474, 475.

E) Literature after 1900. At least one of the following:  360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 369, 380, 463, 468, 476, 478, 479.

F) Criticism, theory, rhetoric. At least one of the following:  402, 421, 422.

G) English electives. Six additional EH courses.  (Any will qualify, not just those listed above.  See limits on 200-level courses.

To major in English with a CONCENTRATION IN CREATIVE WRITING, all requirements above must be met.  Of the six English electives, however, at least five must be from the following: 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 497, 498.

Gen Ed Requirements for College of Arts & Sciences

For more information on the General Education Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences, please consult the USA Bulletin.

PLEASE NOTE: the latest version of the USA Undergraduate Bulletin is the official source for all degree requirements.

 

01