Requirements for the Major in English

The English degree offers two degree options—English and American Literature or Professional and Technical Writing—but these tracks are deeply interactive. Students in either of these two areas pursue a course of study with certain core requirements, which will allow them to focus in their main subject areas, and additional courses that relate to their particular research and professional goals. The literature option involves both courses in English and American Literature, as well as that of other cultures; the Professional and Technical Writing option combines study in rhetoric, writing, and technology. The Department of Languages, Literature and Writing is currently developing Special Programs that will provide students with both an area studies focus and interdisciplinary study.

Majoring in English will provide students with critical thinking skills both in and outside the classroom. The curriculum prepares students for graduate study in English and a variety of other fields including, but not limited to, study of law, teaching, and writing-related fields.

Prerequisites (State Mandated Common Prerequisites)

Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete the A.A. degree at the community college. Some
courses required for the major may also meet General Education Requirements, thereby transferring
maximum hours to the university. If students transfer without an A.A. degree and have fewer than 60
semester hours of acceptable credit, the students must meet the university’s entering freshman
requirements, including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements.The transfer student should also be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university. The English Department does not accept Sign Language as a foreign language.

Students should complete the following prerequisite courses listed below at the lower level prior to
entering the university. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed
before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of “C-” is the minimum acceptable grade.

ENC 1101 Composition I
ENC 1102 Composition II or

Six semester hours earned in courses taught in the English Department, EACH with 6,000 words of
evaluated writing for a TOTAL of 12,000 words.

Suggested electives:
AMH 2010 American History I 3
AMH 2020 American History II 3
EUH 2021 Medieval History I 3
EUH 2022 Medieval History II 3

Upper-level coursework in the English Major:

The program in English provides three areas of specialization (divided into two degree-options below):

1. English and American literature - The primary mission of the literature option is to provide a solid foundation
in the study of British and American literature. The program also offers courses in other world literatures
in translation, cultural studies, feminist and ethnic studies, and both traditional and more recent critical
approaches.

2. Professional and technical writing - The professional and technical writing option combines the study of
English and American literature with an introduction to writing found in the professional workplace.

3.The English Education major is described under the section for the College of Education.

Major requirements for English majors are listed below. A grade of “D” will not be counted toward fulfilling the
major requirements. Grades of “D” or “F” in English courses will, however, be used in calculating the major
GPA unless the course is retaken under the grade forgiveness policy. Students may not use more than one
Directed Study toward meeting the major requirements. Transfer students must earn at least 15 hours in the
major at USF. A 2.5 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

OPTION I: English and American Literature

Twelve courses (36 hours) as follows:

1. Two of the following:
AML 3031 American Literature to 1860
AML 3032 American Literature 1860-1912
AML 3051 American Literature 1912-1945

2. Four of the following:
ENL 3015 British Literature to 1616
ENL 3230 British Literature 1616-1780
ENL 3251 British Literature 1780-1900
ENL 3273 British Literature 1900-1945
ENL 3331 Early Shakespeare or
ENL 3332 Late Shakespeare

3. Five of the following, at least two of which must be from Group A:

Group A
AML 4111 19th Century American Novel
AML 4121 20th Century American Novel
ENL 4122 British Novel through Hardy
ENL 4132 British Novel: Conrad to the present
ENL 4311 Chaucer
ENL 4338 Advanced Studies in Shakespeare
ENL 4341 Milton
LIT 3101 Literature of the Western World Through the Renaissance
LIT 3102 Literature of the Western World Since the Renaissance
LIT 4930 Selected Topics in English Studies

Group B
AML 3031 American Literature to 1860
AML 3032 American Literature 1860-1912
AML 3051 American Literature 1912-1945
AML 3604 African-American Literature
AML 4261 Literature of the South
AML 4300 Selected American Authors
ENG 4060 History of the English Language
ENL 3015 British Literature to 1616
ENL 3230 British Literature 1616-1780
ENL 3251 British Literature 1780-1900
ENL 3273 British Literature 1900-1945
ENL 3331 Early Shakespeare
ENL 3332 Late Shakespeare
ENL 4303 Selected British Authors
LIN 4671 Traditional English Grammar
LIN 4680 Structure of American English
LIT 3022 Modern Short Novel
LIT 3031 Survey of Poetry
LIT 3043 Modern Drama
LIT 3093 Contemporary Literature
LIT 3144 Modern European Novel
LIT 3374 Bible as Literature
LIT 3410 Religious and Existential Themes

4. ENG 4013 Literary Criticism (Required for Literature majors)

OPTION II: Professional and Technical Writing

This 36-hour program allows undergraduates to concentrate their studies in professional writing, wherein
they will master special writing skills demanded by industry, business, government, and the professions. The
English Department may arrange semester-long internships with local businesses, industries, and
professional organizations. Interns will earn three credit hours and, in some cases, receive compensation
from their employers for their duties.Students choosing this concentration will also assure themselves of a core of liberal arts studies since they must take 21 credit hours of literature courses in addition to 15 hours of composition courses.

1. Composition requirements: