The English Core
Regardless of the option you choose to pursue, you will take 17 hours in common with all other English majors. This core provides a shared base of knowledge and experiences.
For the core, you will take:
ENGL 2604: Introduction to Critical Reading (3 hrs). This is the gateway course to the major; it should be one of the first courses you take as an English major.
An introduction to the techniques and theoretical implications of close reading, focusing on the literary criticism of a work from each of the following genres: poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction. Students learn the analytical skills, basic critical terminology, and conventions of literary criticism essential to advanced English studies. Intended for English majors. Pre: 1106 or H1204 or COMM 1016. (3H,3C)
ENGL 2614: The English Studies ePortfolio (2 hrs). This course, a corequisite to ENGL 2604, should be taken the same semester as the gateway course. In the course, you will start your English Studies ePortfolio and plan your course of study.
Both ENGL 2515: Survey of British Literature I and ENGL 2516: Survey of British Literature II (6 hrs total).
A two-course sequence introducing students to the major writers of the British literary tradition; 2515 extends from the medieval period to the death of Alexander Pope in 1744; 2516 continues to the present day. This course provides the literary, historical, and social contexts necessary to comprehend significant developments in poetry, drama, prose fiction, and criticism. Pre: 1106 or H1204 or COMM 1016. (3H,3C)
Either ENGL 2525: Survey of American Literature I or ENGL 2526: Survey of American Literature II (3 hrs).
A two-semester sequence introducing students to the major writers of the American literary tradition; 2525 extends from the colonial period to the end of the nineteenth century; 2526 continues to the present day. This course provides the literary, historical, and social contexts necessary to comprehend significant developments in poetry, drama, prose fiction, and criticism. Pre: 1106 or 1204H or COMM 1016. (3H,3C)
Either ENGL 4165: Shakespeare I or ENGL 4166: Shakespeare II (3 hrs).
The plays of Shakespeare. 4165: Shakespeare's early career (1590-1600), including history plays from HENRY VI to HENRY V, comedies from THE COMEDY OF ERRORS to THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, and early tragedies such as ROMEO AND JULIET and JULIUS CAESAR. 4166: the later career, including "problem plays" such as MEASURE FOR MEASURE, the great tragedies (HAMLET, KING LEAR, OTHELLO, MACBETH), and the romances such as THE TEMPEST. (3H,3C)