Major in English, Literature Concentration

Students in the Literature concentration learn how to analyze and interpret poems, fiction, plays, and works of popular culture, all while gaining exposure to a vast range of historical and contemporary writing. In the same semester students might immerse themselves in iconic classics like Moby Dick or The Canterbury Tales, study popular genres like science fiction or horror, and become familiar with Native American literature.

Students will develop and deepen their research and writing skills, and gain familiarity with a range of literary theories. By the time students graduate they will have a broad set of portable skills, including crafting evidence-based written and verbal arguments, synthesizing and communicating complex information efficiently and clearly, and developing habits of critical and analytical thinking that will help them become thoughtful citizens and careful and enthusiastic readers. 

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Career Pathways

Effective Fall 2025

For graduation, an English major must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in all Composition (CO) and English (E) courses. Students may enroll in either the standalone major or (at most) one of the concentrations under the Major in English.

¹

Select Upper-Division English/Composition electives in consultation with advisor.

²

The department requires majors to complete a second field. This may be met by completing the equivalent of the second semester of the second year course in a foreign language or by completing 12 hours of upper-division credit in a coherent field of study outside English.

³

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). 

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
An English major must attain a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in all Composition (CO) and English (E) courses.