UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

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.


Objectives

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

  • Analyze significant literary works, primarily those written in English.
  • Critically examine major authors in terms of literary history and chronology.
  • Analyze the ways in which ethical values are shaped by history and culture.
  • Apply techniques of research that demonstrate information and technological literacy.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking through the application of literary theory to works of literature.
  • Write original academic papers that demonstrate correct English syntax and logical reasoning.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in English requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; 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).

English Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in English includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all 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 advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

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

  • EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • Both 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 biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/writing requirement
  • 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 behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (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 behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • 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 arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other course to fulfill the communications/writing or speech requirement
  • ‡ ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ ENGL 303 Critical Approaches to Literature (3)

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

  • WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level advanced writing requirement
  • ‡ ENGL 345 Modern Poetry (3) or other poetry genre course for the major
    ‡ ENGL 441 The Novel in America Since 1914 (3) or other fiction genre course for the major
  • ‡ ENGL 311 17th- and 18th-Century British Literature (3) or other pre-1800 period course for the major
  • ‡ ENGL 433 American Literature: 1914 to the Present (3) or ENGL 425 Modern British Literature or other historical period course for the major
  • ‡ ENGL 364 African American Authors Since 1900 (3) or ENGL 354 American Women Writers Since 1900 or other American author course for the major
  • ‡ ENGL 406 Shakespeare: Power and Justice (3) or other British author course for the major
  • ‡ ENGL 454 Modern World Drama (3) or other drama genre course for the major
  • ‡ WRTG 388 Advanced Grammar or WRTG 387 Issues and Methods in Tutoring Writing or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ ENGL 481 The Art of Narration or ENGL 485 Creative Writing: Poetry or other supplemental major course

Minor and/or Elective Course (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (43)

 

Total credits for BA in English: 120