Program Overview

English/Journalism Major (B.A.)

The English/Journalism major at the University of New Hampshire prepares students for success in the media or any vocation that requires strong research and communications skills. Founded on the study of literature, this major teaches students the basics of interviewing, fact gathering, verification, and writing in both news and feature styles.

Description

In our digital age, the ability to evaluate, edit, package, and communicate information has become crucial to many careers. This major broadens students' repertoire by producing stories for digital platforms using audio, photo, video, and data visualization.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
• Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
• Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral
• Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
• Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

Major Requirements

English/Journalism majors must complete the following courses:

• ENGL 401: First-Year Writing
• ENGL 419: How to Read Anything
• One pre-1800 literature course
• One post-1800 literature course
• One course that addresses Community and Cultures
• One additional ENGL course at the 500, 600, or 700 level
• ENGL 534: 21st Century Journalism: How the News Works
• ENGL 621: Newswriting
• Three additional journalism courses from the following:
  • ENGL 623: Creative Nonfiction
  • ENGL 631: Digital Reporting
  • ENGL 703T: Travel Writing
  • ENGL 711: Editing
  • ENGL 712: Multimedia Storytelling
  • ENGL 721: Advanced Reporting
  • ENGL 722: Feature Writing
• Capstone: Any English course at the 700 level (except ENGL 795)

Course Lists

Pre-1800 Literature Courses

• ENGL 512: British Literature I Age of Heroes: Beowulf to Dr. Faustus
• ENGL 513W: British Literature II Age of Revolutions: Shakespeare to Austen
• ENGL 595: Literary Topics (if topic is appropriate)
• ENGL 657: Shakespeare
• ENGL 693R: Special Topics in Literature (if topic is appropriate)
• ENGL 751: Medieval Romance
• ENGL 756: Chaucer
• ENGL 758: Advanced Shakespeare
• ENGL 759: Milton
• ENGL 787: English Major Seminar (if topic is appropriate)

Post-1800 Literature Courses

• ENGL 514W: British Literature III: Revolts, Renewals, Migrations
• ENGL 516W: American Literature II Money, Migration, and Modernity: Huck Finn to Beloved
• ENGL 595: Literary Topics (if topic is appropriate)
• ENGL 690: African American Literature
• ENGL 693R: Special Topics in Literature (if topic is appropriate)
• ENGL 738: Asian American Studies
• ENGL 773: Literary Modernisms: Return, Revolt, Recycle
• ENGL 775: Modern Irish Literature: A Changing Landscape
• ENGL 777: The English Novel in the World
• ENGL 782: Modern and Contemporary Drama
• ENGL 784: English Novel of the 19th Century
• ENGL 787: English Major Seminar (if topic is appropriate)
• ENGL 797R: Special Studies in Literature (Race & Racial Theories) (if topic is appropriate)

Community and Cultures Courses

• ENGL 440A: Honors/On Race in Culture and Society
• ENGL 550: Introduction to the Literature and Culture of Race
• ENGL 560: Introduction to Latinx Literature and Culture
• ENGL 650R: I Hear America Singing: Studying American Literature and Culture
• ENGL 690: African American Literature
• ENGL 693: Special Topics in Literature (subtopic R)
• ENGL 693R: Special Topics in Literature
• ENGL 738: Asian American Studies
• ENGL 778: Race and Gender in Film and Popular Culture
• ENGL 797R: Special Studies in Literature (Race & Racial Theories)

Student Learning Outcomes

All undergraduate English majors acquire the same core skills, including:

• Proficiency in analytical writing, critical thinking, and public-speaking
• Knowledge of important literary genres and subgenres
• Fluency in literary terminology
• A broad understanding of British and American literature
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing an analytical essay
• Demonstrated proficiency in literary research and in writing an extended thesis-driven research paper

English/Journalism majors will also be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of reporting skills
• Find and interview credible sources
• Know how to write feature articles, profiles, and other kinds of news stories

Additional Information

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement. English/Journalism majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement. Majors may only count one online course toward their English major requirements.