COURSE CURRICULUM

The English major offers three flexible options designed to accommodate a range of academic and professional goals: the Traditional English Major, the Contract Major, and the English Major with a Concentration in Writing. Each path provides a strong foundation in literature, research, and writing, while allowing for individual interests to guide course selection.The Traditional English Major requires 40 credits beyond ENGL 111, including at least 24 upper-division credits. Students begin with foundational courses like ENGL 201 (Introduction to Literary Study), ENGL 301 (Academic Research and Writing), and ENGL 314 (English Language and Linguistics). They then choose three sequenced literature courses from options such as English and American Literature I and II. Additional requirements include ENGL 452 (Shakespeare) and ENGL 480, a two-unit senior Capstone Colloquium, which culminates in a major project. Students also take 10 upper-division English electives to complete the program.The Contract Major in English also requires 40 credits, 24 of which must be upper division. After completing ENGL 301 and the capstone ENGL 480, students work with an advisor to create a customized course plan suited to their individual goals. This option is ideal for students with interdisciplinary interests or those seeking to tailor their major for specific career paths.The English Major with a Concentration in Writing combines literature with extensive training in various writing genres. Core requirements include courses like ENGL 202 (Introduction to Creative Writing) and a selection of literature surveys. Students then choose from a range of writing-focused classes, including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, professional writing, and multimedia storytelling. Options like COMM 231 or FILM 306 allow students to explore media writing and visual storytelling.All three paths are designed to build strong communication, research, and analytical skills, preparing students for careers in writing, education, media, and beyond.