Major in English

Students may seek either an academic major or minor 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.

An articulation agreement between UMUC's Undergraduate School and Graduate School allows eligible students who complete their undergraduate degree at UMUC with a major in English to reduce their total coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching by 12 credits (two courses) and complete both degrees with a total of 138 credits of coursework. More information is available in the graduate catalog.

Intended Program Outcomes

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

• Interpret literature and apply language in a thoughtful and articulate way in order to reflect on the human condition in today's world.
• Apply models from literature that reflect diversity and cultural competence to promote fair and inclusive interactions in the workplace and the larger society.
• Apply models from literature to ethical leadership and strategic management in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
• Access, research, and analyze information using current technologies and library resources to accomplish professional objectives.
• Create professional written and oral communications for specific purposes and provide feedback on grammatical and stylistic conventions.

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).

Requirements for the English Major

Coursework for a major in English includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (6 credits): ENGL 240 and 303
• Historical background courses (9 credits): Chosen from ENGL 309, 310, 311, 312, and 386
• Period course (3 credits): ENGL 345, 425, 430, 433, 441, 457, or 459
• Major authors courses (9 credits): Chosen from ENGL 363, 364, 406, 434, 439, and 454
• Supplemental major course (3 credits): Any ENGL course or WRTG 387
• Required capstone course (3 credits): ENGL 495

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BA in English. Coursework for the major is indicated by . 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.

English Degree Courses

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 Introduction to Research (1)
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a 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 arts and humanities course
• Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
  and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
  or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s)
• WRTG 291 Research Writing (3)
  or other communications/writing course
• GVPT 170 American Government (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course
• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (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 behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
  or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• ENGL 240 Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama (3)
• CMIS 111 Social Computing and Cybersecurity Best Practices (3)
  or other interdisciplinary issues/computing course
• SPCH 100 Foundations of Oral Communication (3)
  or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other communication, writing, or speech course
• ENGL 303 Critical Approaches to Literature (3)

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

• WRTG 391 Advanced Research Writing (3)
  or other communications/upper-level advanced writing course
• ENGL 309 Medieval Literature (3)
  or other historical background course for the major
• ENGL 310 Renaissance Literature (3)
  or other historical background course for the major
• ENGL 311 17th- and 18th-Century British Literature (3)
  or other historical background course for the major
• ENGL 425 20th-Century British Literature (3)
  or other period course for the major
• ENGL 364 African American Authors from 1900 to the Present (3)
  or other major authors course for the major
• ENGL 406 Seminar in Shakespeare Studies (3)
  or other major authors course for the major
• ENGL 454 Modern World Drama (3)
  or other major authors course for the major
• ENGL 481 Seminar in Creative Writing: Fiction and Creative Nonfiction (3)
  or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken after all other courses for the major)

• ENGL 495 Advanced Seminar in English Language and Literature (3)

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

Recommended Electives

• EDTP 500 Professional Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning
  (for qualified students who plan to enter the MAT program at UMUC; students should note prerequisites and consult an advisor)
• EDTP 535 Adolescent Development and Learning Needs
  (for qualified students who plan to enter the MAT program at UMUC; students should note prerequisites and consult an advisor)

Total credits for BA in English: 120

• English Degree Planning Worksheet