Learning Outcomes

1. Students will develop a wide knowledge of the history and traditions of literature written in the English language and an appreciation for the diverse cultures and backgrounds that contribute to the production of literature in English.
2. Students will learn critical and analytical thinking skills, especially close reading skills.
3. Students will learn how to comprehend and produce contextually informed arguments about literature.
4. Students will learn to write and communicate clearly and effectively.

Requirements.  The English major contains two tracks: literature and writing. Students should declare a track when they choose to major in English. For both tracks, majors must complete 36 credit hours in English. 

Literature Track Requirements (Va)

Select at least 12 courses (36 cr.) above the 100 level, of which at least five must be on the 300-400 level, and no more than 3 courses (9 cr.) may be taken online. Of these 12, there are 9 required courses (27 cr.) for the literature track:

• Grammar and Usage (3 cr.): ENG-G 304
• Literary Interpretation (3 cr.): ENG-L 202
• Two British literature survey courses (6 cr.): ENG-L 211 and ENG-L 212
• Single author course (3 cr.): ENG-L 305, ENG-L 315, ENG-L 318, or ENG-L 369
• American literature (3 cr.): Choose one from ENG-L 350 through ENG-L 363
• Gender and Literature (3 cr.): Choose either ENG-L 207 or ENG-L 249 
• World Literatures in English (3 cr.): Choose one from the following list - ENG-L 201, ENG-L 215, ENG-L 216, ENG-L 217, or ENG-L 382  
• Senior Capstone Seminar (3 cr.): ENG-L 440

In addition to the listed requirements above, students must take at least 3 electives (9 cr.) within the major and complete the general education requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Total (36 cr.)

Writing Track Requirements (Va)

Select at least 12 courses (36 cr.) above the 100 level, of which at least five must be on the 300-400 level, and no more than 3 courses (9 cr.) may be taken online. Of these 12, there are 9 required courses (27 cr.) for the writing track: 

• Grammar and Usage:  ENG-G 304 (3 cr.) 
• Literary Interpretation: ENG-L 202 (3 cr.)
• Professional Writing:  ENG-W 231 or ENG-W280 (3 cr.)
• Writing Fiction:  ENG-W 301 (3 cr.)
• Writing Poetry:  ENG-W 303 (3 cr.)
• Other Writing Forms: choose one from the following list: ENG-W 302, ENG-W 311 or ENG-W 350 (3 cr.)
• One literature class at the 300-400 level (3 cr.)
• Shakespeare:  ENG-L 315 (3 cr.)
• Senior capstone seminar: ENG-L 440 (3 cr.)

In addition to the listed requirements above, students must take at least 3 literature electives (9 cr.) within the major and complete the general education requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Total (36 cr.)

Recommendation

The department recommends that majors considering graduate work in English take elective courses in a variety of periods of English and American literature.

Students who expect to go on to graduate work are advised to take substantial work in at least one foreign language.  

We strongly encourage students in the Writing Track to take ENG-W 398, Internship in Writing.