English

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in English.

Major in English

The English major provides students with broad cultural literacy, as well as the analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills for successful professional work and graduate study. Graduates with an English degree may pursue careers in business, education, law, the military, creative and professional writing, journalism, marketing, public relations, administration, and management, as well as advanced degrees in secondary teaching, literature, or related fields.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in English will be able to

  • Interpret literature and apply language in a thoughtful and articulate way in order to reflect on the human condition in today's world.
  • Apply models from literature that reflect diversity and cultural competence to promote fair and inclusive interactions in the workplace and the larger society.
  • Apply models from literature to ethical leadership and strategic management in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
  • Access, research, and analyze information using current technologies and library resources in order to accomplish professional objectives.
  • Create professional written and oral communications for specific purposes and provide feedback on grammatical and stylistic conventions.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in English requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 33 credits for the major (indicated by Required by major); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the English Major

Coursework for a major in English includes the following:

  • Required foundation course (6 credits): ENGL 240 and 303
  • Historical background courses (9 credits): Chosen from ENGL 309, 310, 311, 312, and 386
  • Period course (3 credits): Chosen from ENGL 345, 425, 430, 433, 441, 457, or 459
  • Major authors courses (9 credits): Chosen from ENGL 363, 364, 406, 434, 439, and 454
  • Supplemental major course (3 credits): Chosen from any ENGL course or WRTG 387
  • Required capstone course (3 credits): ENGL 495
  • ote: No courses may be applied to more than one of the above categories

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BA in English. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) may be found in the General Education Requirements.

Minor in English

The English minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by providing exposure to literary analysis, critical thinking and reading, and the study of the relationship of literature to contemporary intellectual issues.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in English requires the completion of 15 credits in English (any ENGL course). Students are strongly recommended to take ENGL 240 and 303 as the first courses in the minor, if not applied elsewhere in the degree.

At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Courses already applied toward other degree requirements (e.g., major or general education) may not be applied toward the minor. Prerequisites apply for all courses.

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to their major and the General Education Requirements.

English Major Courses

First Courses

(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)

WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 103 College Mathematics (3)
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses

(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)

and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)

or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)

or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software

Foundation Courses

(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)

or SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences
(discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)

or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)

or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the general education requirement in arts and humanities for the historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)

ENGL 240Required by major Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (3)
or other course to fulfill the requirement for supplemental major coursework
(see Requirements for the Major)

CMIS 111 Social Computing and Cybersecurity Best Practices (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing

SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)

or SPCH 101 Introduction to Public Speaking
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech

ENGL 303Required by major Critical Approaches to Literature (3)

Additional Required Courses

(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

WRTG 391 Advanced Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the upper-level advanced writing requirement

ENGL 309Required by major Medieval Literature (3)
or other historical background course
(see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 310Required by major Renaissance Literature (3)
or other historical background course
(see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 311Required by major 17th- and 18th-Century British Literature (3)
or other historical background course
(see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 425Required by major 20th Century British Literature (3)
or other period course
(see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 364Required by major African American Authors from 1900 to the Present (3)
or other major author course
(see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 406Required by major Seminar in Shakespeare Studies (3)
or other major author course
(see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 454Required by major Modern World Drama (3)
or other major author course
(see Requirements for the Major)

ENGL 481Required by major Seminar in Creative Writing: Fiction and Creative Nonfiction (3)
or other supplemental major course
(see Requirements for the Major)

Capstone Course for the Major

(to be taken after all other courses for the major)

ENGL 495Required by major Advanced Seminar in English Language and Literature (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses

(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)

Total credits for BA in English 120


UMUC Europe Undergraduate Catalog


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Last updated: 30 June 2011