English Major: Literature and Criticism Option

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BA degree

To receive a degree with a major in English, students must demonstrate their ability to read intelligently and perceptively in such genres as fiction, poetry and drama; in works of literary criticism and literary history; and in works dealing with the nature of language itself. Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to write effectively, to use a library efficiently and honestly, to deal critically with generalizations about historical periods and genres and to handle a variety of critical questions with some maturity.

Requirements

Students must earn a C- or better for courses to count toward the English major degree. English majors are encouraged to take some of their electives in additional English courses.

Foundation Courses

ENL 258 - Literary Studies Credits: 3
ENL 258 prerequisite for 300-level literature courses
ENL 259 - Critical Methods: Theory and Practice Credits: 3
ENL 259 prerequisite for 400-level literature courses
ENL 260 - Intermediate Composition Credits: 3
ENL 260 prerequisite for 300-level writing courses

Literature Core

Select nine additional courses with at least seven at the 300 or 400 level, including a 400-level literature seminar which will serve as the capstone course, by the following criteria:

Genre Studies

At least two genre studies courses from the following list:

ENL 316 - The 19th Century American Novel Credits: 3
ENL 317 - 19 Cent American Poetry Credits: 3
ENL 321 - Golden Age of Drama Credits: 3
ENL 333 - Modern British Poetry Credits: 3
ENL 335 - 20th Century American Fiction Credits: 3
ENL 336 - 20th Century American Fiction - 1945 to the Present Credits: 3
ENL 337 - 20th Century American Poetry Credits: 3
ENL 338 - Modern Drama Credits: 3
ENL 339 - American Drama Credits: 3
ENL 340 - Literature & Psychology Credits: 3
ENL 348 - American Women Playwrights Credits: 3
ENL 377 - Special Topics in Film and Video Credits: 3
ENL 390 - Topics in Literary Studies Credits: 3

Major Author

One major author course from the following list:

ENL 318 - Chaucer Credits: 3
ENL 319 - Shakespeare Credits: 3

Historical Courses

At least four courses in history of literature from the following list. Two must be pre-1800 and two post-1800.

Pre-1800

Six (6) credits required.

ENL 300 - Survey of British Literature I Credits: 3
ENL 303 - Survey of American Literature I Credits: 3
ENL 305 - Medieval Literature Credits: 3
ENL 307 - The English Renaissance Credits: 3
ENL 308 - The Enlightenment Credits: 3
ENL 311 - Western Literature I Credits: 3
ENL 314 - Colonial American Lit Credits: 3
ENL 328 - Survey of African American Literature I Credits: 3

Post-1800

Six (6) credits required.

ENL 302 - Survey of British Literature II Credits: 3
ENL 304 - Survey of American Literature II Credits: 3
ENL 309 - Romantic Age Credits: 3
ENL 310 - Victorian Age Credits: 3
ENL 315 - American Renaissance Credits: 3
ENL 326 - Studies in Modern Irish Literature and Culture I Credits: 3
ENL 329 - Survey of African American Literature II Credits: 3
ENL 331 - Postcolonial Literature Credits: 3

Theory and Methods

Three (3) credits required.

ENL 340 - Literature & Psychology Credits: 3
ENL 345 - Literary Theory Credits: 3
ENL 355 - Rhetoric II: Advanced Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENL 356 - Language and Culture Credits: 3
ENL 360 - Special Topics in Writing and Communications Credits: 3
ENL 361 - Techniques of Critical Writing and Communications Credits: 3

Literature Seminar

Three (3) credits at the 400 level.

ENL 400 - Seminar in American Literature Credits: 3
ENL 415 - Seminar in a British Author Credits: 3
ENL 425 - Seminar in Comparative Literature Credits: 3

Total Credits: 36

English Honors Program

Candidates must have completed a minimum of 6 English courses beyond the freshman level and have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.2 in all English courses taken to be considered for admission to English Honors. Qualified candidates will be admitted upon recommendation of an English department faculty member willing to serve as sponsor.

Criteria and Methods of Evaluation

A three-person faculty committee (preferably including one specialist in the field under investigation) will judge all written work and administer an oral examination on the subject of the Honors Thesis. (Students are entitled to select one of their examiners.) This committee will then award “Honors” or not, on the basis of the following criteria:

overall seriousness of purpose;
mastery of scholarly or creative methodology;
sophistication of insights achieved;
ability to relate findings verbally.

Interested students should consult their advisors and/or Professor Janet Gardner no later than the beginning of the senior year.

Requirements

The program involves a closely supervised, two semester (6-credit) investigation into a literary, creative or rhetorical topic devised by the student in consultation with the faculty sponsor; and requiring a substantial amount of independent reading, writing and research.

University Studies Requirements

In addition to the requirements in the major, students will be required to complete the University Studies requirements. For more information: http://www.umassd.edu/generaleducation/universitystudies/universitystudiescurriculum/.