Program Overview

English — Literature Emphasis, BA

Introduction

English is one of the central liberal arts degrees. A background in English provides graduates with a sound basis for pursuing a variety of careers including law, business, education, publishing and government, as well as graduate work in language, literary and cultural studies, and critical writing. English engages students in diverse literary heritages, as well as fosters the development of sophisticated abilities in critical analysis, creative inquiry, reflective reading, and effective communication and expression.

Why Consider a Literature Emphasis in the English Major?

The English Literature major focuses on the study of literatures in historical and cultural contexts and includes course work in literary theory, creative writing, and composition and rhetoric. Some students may opt to develop a writing concentration within their literature major, taking writing courses such as composition, creative writing, and professional and technical writing. There are also opportunities to pursue English Education, including endorsements. Students in the upper-division courses are expected to interpret and analyze literature in thoughtful, organized, and clear essays that are free of mechanical errors.

The literature emphasis offers students the opportunity for both breadth and depth in the study of literature and culture. In the “Literature and Culture” courses, which are the core of the major, students gain a sense of historical scope as they explore literatures from a range of periods. In addition, majors take required courses in writing as well as critical, cultural, and rhetorical theory. All of these courses provide a solid foundation for intensive study of specialized topics in the upper-level electives and in the senior seminar.

The English – Literature Emphasis major leads to a baccalaureate degree without teacher certification. To receive a recommendation for state of Washington teacher certification, students must also complete the teacher certification program offered by the Department of Secondary Education.

Student Resources

• Department Website: English
• Department advising: See the department’s advising webpage for more information
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • Law
  • Business (including public relations, sales and marketing)
  • Education (teaching or administrating)
  • Author, broadcaster, artist, entertainer
  • Government
  • Editing and Publishing
  • Graduate work in Literature and Creative Writing
  • Graduate work in Composition and Language

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

The prerequisites for declaring the major are 60 credits completed and ENG 202. Though the English Department cannot guarantee immediate enrollment in the major or access to any specific class, we matriculate students into the major on a rolling basis as space is available and offer a wide variety of topics each term.

Advising Tips

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Undergraduate Program Coordinator early in their careers. Students should declare their major by the start of their junior year.

English Language Arts - Secondary Endorsement

Students seeking teacher certification are advised that the careful selection of English courses within the English Literature major and the addition of one 5 credit English course are necessary in order to meet requirements for the English Language Arts — Secondary Endorsement. Students must meet with a secondary education academic advisor in the English Department to complete a plan of study.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (60 credits)

• Four literature and culture courses consisting of two seminars and two surveys. Combined, the literature and culture courses must cover four different historical periods. Historical periods should not be repeated.
  • Two literature and culture seminars from:
    • ENG 307 - Seminar in Literature & Culture: Medieval
    • ENG 308 - Seminar in Literature & Culture: Early Modern
    • ENG 309 - Seminar in Literature & Culture: The Long 18th Century
    • ENG 310 - Seminar in Literature & Culture: The Long 19th Century
    • ENG 311 - Seminar in Literature & Culture: The 20-21st Century
  • Two literature and culture surveys from:
    • ENG 317 - Survey in Literature & Culture: Medieval
    • ENG 318 - Survey in Literature & Culture: Early Modern
    • ENG 319 - Survey in Literature & Culture: The Long 18th Century
    • ENG 320 - Survey in Literature & Culture: The Long 19th Century
    • ENG 321 - Survey in Literature & Culture: The 20-21st Centuries
• One course from:
  • ENG 301 - Writing and the Public
  • ENG 302 - Technical Writing
  • ENG 350 - Introduction to Creative Writing
  • ENG 401 - Topics in Rhetoric & Writing Studies
• Two courses in Critical Cultural Theories and Practice:
  • ENG 313 - Critical Theories and Practices: Pre-Socratic to 19th Century
  • ENG 314 - Critical Theories and Practices: 19th Century to Present
• ENG 418 - Senior Seminar
• Note: Only one course from each pair may be taken for credit in English majors and minors: ENG 307/ENG 317, ENG 308/ENG 318, ENG 309/ENG 319, ENG 310/ENG 320, ENG 311/ENG 321.

Electives

• 20 credits. 15 credits must be at the 400 level, 5 credits at either the 300- or 400-level; 300-level historical period courses (e.g. medieval, early modern, etc.) cannot be repeated. 15 credits must be taken from the courses listed below.
  • ENG 331 - Studies in Gender Theory
  • ENG 333 - Topics in Global Literature
  • ENG 334 - Literary and Creative Expression Across North America and Europe
  • ENG 335 - Literary and Creative Expressions Across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America
  • ENG 336 - Scriptural Literatures
  • ENG 338 - Women and Literature in North America and Europe
  • ENG 339 - Mythology and Literature
  • ENG 341 - Studies in Children’s Literature
  • ENG 342 - Studies in Literary Genres
  • ENG 347 - Studies in Young Adult Literature
  • ENG 364 - Introduction to Film Studies
  • ENG 365 - Topics in Film History
  • ENG 406 - Topics in Critical and Cultural Theory
  • ENG 408 - Cultural Studies
  • ENG 410 - Studies in Literary History
  • ENG 415 - Special Topics in National Literatures
  • ENG 423 - Studies in Major Authors
  • ENG 427 - Queer Studies
  • ENG 464 - Topics in Film Studies

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement