Major in English Literature

Major Details

The recently revised English major now consists of three parts: 24 hours of core courses, 18 hours of courses in one of four tracks and 12 hours of free English electives. Except for the 200-level creative writing workshops, all courses counting toward the major must be at the 300 level or above.

The core courses, taken by all English majors, are:

  • Introduction to English Studies
  • Writing for English Majors
  • Shakespeare
  • American Literature Survey (choose 2)
  • British Literature Survey (choose 2)
  • A course in Multicultural Literatures in English.

    Students then choose from one of four specialized tracks, each culminating with a capstone course:
  • Literary and Cultural Studies (L&CS)
  • Creative Writing Track: Poetry Focus (CWP)
  • Creative Writing Track: Fiction Focus (CWF)
  • Rhetoric and Professional Writing (R&PW)

English electives can come from any field of study represented in the department’s course offerings: literature, cultural studies, creative writing, journalism, rhetoric/professional writing, linguistics, women’s studies, ethnic literatures and so forth.

A journalism major is offered by the English department as well. Questions should be directed to the program director at Jon.Hughes@uc.edu.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

  • Anthropology
  • Arabic 
  • Asian studies 
  • Business French
  • Business majors
  • Classic civilization
  • Classics
  • Communication
  • Creative writing
  • Deaf studies
  • Education
  • Geology
  • German studies
  • Journalism
  • Organizational leadership
  • Political science
  • Women's studies 

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Majors should see the departmental advisor early to discuss departmental requirements and plan their schedules. The lead adviser for English majors is the director of undergraduate studies, room 251 McMicken Hall. The English major necessitates planning to match the particular needs of the individual student with the requirements of the department. Beyond the first year, one should work with an English department adviser. The checklist for English majors is available at: www.artsci.uc.edu/english/ugrad/programs.

Course Name Course Number Credits
First Year
*English Composition ENGL101 & 15ENGL102

6

*Quantitative Reasoning (QR) see checklist

9

*Foreign Language see checklist

9-15

*Historical Perspectives (HP) see offerings

9

*Social Sciences (SS) see offerings 3
*Humanities (HU) see offerings 3
Courses in minor or other program, or free electives see options

 0-6

Total for first year

45

Course Name Course Number Credits
Second Year
*Intermediate Composition 15ENGL289 3
*Foreign Language (if necessary) see checklist

0-9

Introduction to English Studies 15ENGL300 3
Writing for English Majors 15ENGL305 3
English Electives see department's list 3
Survey of American Literature (or British) (pick two) 15ENGL301, 302, or 303 6
Multicultural Literatures course see list below 3
*Natural Sciences (NS) see offerings 9
*Social Sciences (SS) see offerings 6
Courses in minor or other program, or free electives see options

 0-9

Total for first year

45

Course Name Course Number Credits
Third & Fourth Years
Survey of British Literature (or American) (pick two) 15ENGB334, 335, or 336 6
Introduction to Shakespeare 15ENGB306 3
English Electives see department's list 9
Required Track Courses see list for chosen track 15
Capstone Course see list for chosen track 3
*Social & Ethical Issues (if not already taken, SE) see offerings 3
*Diversity & Culture (if not already taken, DC) see offerings 3
Courses in minor or other program (get a double major!) see options 48
Total for third & fourth years 90
Minimum total overall: 180

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

Multicultural Literatures in English Courses
See adviser for approval of courses not on this list
15ENGL341 Intro: American Ethnic Literature
15ENGC342 Third World Literature
15ENGL342 Topics: American Ethnic Literature  
15ENGL343 Issues of Race in African American Lit
15ENGC363 African Literature I: Intro 
15ENGC364 African Literature II: Topics 
15ENGC365 African Literature III: Drama 
15ENGC366 Caribbean Literature 
15ENGC373 Modern Fiction III 
15ENGL388 American Women Writers: pre-1900 
15ENGL389 American Women Writers: post-1900 
15ENGC504/505/506 Intro to Folklore

The checklist for each of the four tracks for English majors and booklets describing English courses to be offered each term is available in the departmental office in 248 McMicken Hall.