English
Department Office: 208 English Building, 608 South Wright, Urbana, (217) 333-2391
The Department of English sponsors two concentrations. The English Concentration is organized to provide instruction in literature in English, literary theory and criticism, the English language, English education, film, cultural studies, and closely related fields. Students who major in English have many choices in planning a field of study, but the basic program is designed to accommodate students who seek to broaden their familiarity with our literature, to intensify their language skills for personal and professional reasons, and to learn more about literature's relationship to the other arts, history, philosophy, psychology, and the modern languages.
The English Teaching Concentration leads to certification to teach in Secondary School. Students must select one concentration. The department also offers a major in Rhetoric.
Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum
Students must select one concentration.
English Concentration
E-mail: englishadvising@illinois.edu
Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equate to 39 hours including a minimum of 33 hours of English courses. At least 15 hours of 300- and 400-level courses must be taken to fulfill the major requirements.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: A student interested in graduating with distinction or high distinction must have and maintain at least a 3.33 University of Illinois and overall cumulative GPA, complete three Honors seminars, and the requirements for ENGL 391, including an Honors essay. Levels of distinction will be decided by the Honors Committee, which will consider a student's overall GPA, record in Honors seminars and English courses, and the recommendation of the readers of the Senior Honors project. Distinction is normally awarded for a University of Illinois and overall cumulative GPA of 3.33, meritorious work in the Honors seminars and English courses, and an English Honors essay of merit (two out of three readers recommend Distinction). High Distinction is usually awarded for a University of Illinois and overall cumulative GPA of 3.5, meritorious work in the Honors seminars and English courses, and an English honors project of superior quality (two out of three readers recommend High Distinction). Interested students should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the English Department for details.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | Introductory Literature: ENGL 200: Intro to the Study of Lit |
| 12 | Core Courses (the 200-level courses in this group need not be taken strictly in the order listed, but should be taken before the 300-level coursework). Note: all Core Courses require the following prerequisite: Completion of the Composition I requirement and ENGL 200. |
| 3 hrs ENGL 209: British Literature to 1798. | |
| 3 hrs ENGL 210: British Lit 1798 to Present | |
| 3 hrs ENGL 255: Survey of American Lit | |
| 3 hrs ENGL 301: Critical Approaches to Lit | |
| 18 | Distribution Requirements: Choose one course from each of the following groups: You must include 12 hours at the 300- or 400-level, including a section of ENGL 300+ (Writing about Literature). ENGL 301 cannot be used to satisfy this 12 hour requirement. It is recommended that English 300+ be taken before your other 300- or 400-level coursework. |
| Note: Courses listed under more than one group can count for only one group requirement. Topics of courses marked with an asterisk (*) must be identified as satisfying the appropriate group to count. | |
3 hrs Shakespeare: 398* Honors Seminar III |
|
| 3 hours | Group I: British literature before 1800. |
202 Medieval Lit and Culture |
|
204 Renaissance Lit and Culture |
|
206 Enlightenment Lit and Culture |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
| 325* Topics in LBGT Lit & Flim | |
396* Honors Seminar I |
|
| 397* Honors Seminar II | |
| 407 Introduction to Old English | |
| 412 Medieval British Literatures | |
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
421 Later Renaiss Poetry & Prose |
|
426 Earlier 18thC Literature |
|
427 Later 18thC Literature |
|
428 British Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
| 465* Topics in Drama | |
475 Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476* Topics in Lit & Environment | |
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hours | Group II: British literature after 1800. |
207 Romantic Lit and Culture |
|
208 Victorian Lit and Culture |
|
247 The British Novel |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
| 325* Topics in LGBT Lit & Film | |
| 373* Special Topics in Film Studies | |
| 396* Honors Seminar I | |
| 397* Honors Seminar II | |
431 British Romantic Literature |
|
434 Victorian Poetry and Prose |
|
435 19thC British Fiction |
|
441 British Lit 1900 - 1930 |
|
442 British Lit Since 1930 |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465* Topics in Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476* Topics in Lit & Environment | |
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hrs | Group III: American literature: |
250 The American Novel to 1914 |
|
251 The American Novel Since 1914 |
|
256 Survey of American Lit II |
|
259 Afro-American Literature I |
|
260 Afro-American Literature II |
|
| 265 Intro to American Indian Lit | |
| 272 Minority Images in Amer Film | |
| 273 American Cinema Since 1950 | |
274* Literature and Society |
|
| 275 American Indians and Film | |
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
286 Asian American Literature |
|
325* Topics in LBGT Lit & Film |
|
| 373* Special Topics in Film Studies | |
| 396* Honors Seminar I | |
| 397* Honors Seminar II | |
449 American Lit 1820 - 1865 |
|
450 American Lit 1865 - 1914 |
|
451 American Lit 1914 - 1945 |
|
452 American Lit 1945 - Present |
|
| 459 Topics in American Indian Lit | |
460 Lit of American Minorities |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465* Topics in Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476* Topics in Lit & Environment | |
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hrs | Group IV: an Author-studies course: |
| 398* Honors Seminar III | |
411 Chaucer |
|
423 Milton |
|
455 Major Authors |
|
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hrs | Group V: Special-topics courses: Choose from one of the following courses: |
| 211 Intro to Mod African Lit (AFST 210) | |
213 Modernist Lit and Culture |
|
241 Beginnings of Modern Poetry |
|
242 Poetry Since 1940 |
|
243 Modern Drama I |
|
244 Modern Drama II |
|
247 The British Novel |
|
248 Brit Amer & Contin Fiction |
|
250 The American Novel to 1914 |
|
251 The American Novel since 1914 |
|
| 259 Afro-American Literature I | |
| 260 Afro-American Literature II | |
| 265 Intro to American Indian Lit | |
| 272 Minority Images in Amer Film | |
| 273 American Cinema Since 1950 | |
274* Literature and Society |
|
| 275 American Indians and Film | |
| 280 Women Writers | |
| 281 Women in the Lit Imagination | |
| 284 Modern Jewish Literature | |
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
| 286 Asian American Literature | |
| 325 Topics in LBGT Lit & Film | |
| 359 Lit Responses to the Holocaust (YDSH 320) | |
| 373 Special Topics in Film Studies | |
| 378 Fairy Tales & Gender Formation | |
| 380 Topics in Writing Studies | |
| 396 Honors Seminar I | |
| 397 Honors Seminar II | |
403 History of the English Language |
|
| 407 Introduction to Old English | |
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
428 British Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
435 19thC British Fiction |
|
| 459 Topics in American Indian Lit | |
| 460 Lit of American Minorities | |
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465 Topics in Drama |
|
470 Modern African Fiction |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476 Topics in Lit & Environment | |
| 485 Literature for the High School | |
300+ Writing About Literature |
|
| 6 | Supporting Coursework: |
| 6 hrs | Western Civilization Requirement: Choose one of the following pairs: |
CWL 241 and 242: Masterpieces of West Culture I & II |
|
HIST 141: Western Civ to 1660 and 142: Western Civ Since 1660 |
|
HIST 171: US Hist to 1877 and 172: US Hist Since 1877 |
|
HIST 255: British Isles to 1688 and 256: Great Britain Since 1688 |
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
English Teaching Concentration
This major is designed for students preparing to teach English at the secondary level.
In order to remain in good standing in this program and be recommended for certification, candidates are required to maintain UIUC, cumulative, content area, and professional education, grade-point averages of 2.5 (A= 4.0). Candidates should consult their advisor or the Council on Teacher Education for the list of courses used to compute these grade-point averages.
E-mail: englishadvising@illinois.edu
Web address for department: www.english.illinois.edu
Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equate to 42 hours of English courses, 6 hours of supporting coursework (Western Civilization requirement), and 37 hours of courses from the Teaching Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements. In addition students must take a speech performance course, CMN 101, or course sequence CMN 111 and 112. Completion of the CMN 111/112 sequence also satisfies the Campus Composition I requirement.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: A student interested in graduating with distinction or high distinction must have and maintain at least a 3.33 University of Illinois and overall cumulative GPA, complete three Honors seminars, and the requirements for ENGL 391, including an Honors essay. Levels of distinction will be decided by the Honors Committee, which will consider a student's overall GPA, record in Honors seminars and English courses, and the recommendation of the readers of the Senior Honors project. Distinction is normally awarded for a University of Illinois and overall cumulative GPA of 3.33, meritorious work in the Honors seminars and English courses, and an English Honors essay of merit (two out of three readers recommend Distinction). High Distinction is usually awarded for a University of Illinois and overall cumulative GPA of 3.5, meritorious work in the Honors seminars and English courses, and an English honors project of superior quality (two out of three readers recommend High Distinction). Interested students should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the English Department for details.
Prerequisites to transfer to the Teaching Concentration. In addition to EPSY 201 and EPS 201, students must also complete ENGL 200 and at least nine hours from ENGL 201, 209, 210, 255, or 256 prior to transfer into the Teaching Concentration.
NOTE: In addition to the requirements for the concentration listed below, students must complete the Teaching Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching (36 hours). Conferral of the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences prior to completion of the minor requires approval by petition to the LAS Student Affairs Office. While it is possible to complete this program in 8 semesters, many students may require an extra semester or two.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3-6 | Introductory Literature:ENGL 200: Intro to the Study of Lit |
| 15 | Core Courses (the 200-level courses in this group need not be taken strictly in the order listed, but should be taken before the 300-level coursework). At least nine hours of these core courses should be completed or in progress by the time of application to the Teaching of English program. Note: all Core Courses require the following prerequisite: Completion of the Composition I requirement and ENGL 200. |
| 3 hrs | English 209: British Lit to 1798 |
| 3 hrs | English 210: British Lit 1798 to Present |
| 3 hrs | English 255: Survey of American Lit I |
| 3 hrs | English 256: Survey of American Lit II |
| 3 hrs | English 301: Critical Approaches to Lit |
| 24 | Distribution Requirements: Choose one course from each of the following groups: You must include 12 hours at the 300- or 400-level, including a section of English 300+ (Writing about Literature) designated as fulfilling one of the distribution requirements. It is recommended that English 300+ be taken before your other 300- or 400-level coursework. |
| Note: Courses listed under more than one group can count for only one group requirement. Topics of courses marked with an asterisk (*) must be identified as satisfying the appropriate group to count. | |
| Students in the Teaching of English option are also required to include in their courses for Groups I-V at least one course in African-American, American ethnic minority, or women's literature. | |
| 3 hrs | Shakespeare: |
218 Intro to Shakespeare |
|
398* Honors Seminar III |
|
418 Shakespeare I |
|
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hrs | British Literature: Choose one course from either Group I or Group II |
| Group I: British literature before 1800. | |
202 Medieval Lit and Culture |
|
204 Renaissance Lit and Culture |
|
206 Enlightenment Lit and Culture |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
| 325* Topics in LBGT Lit & Film | |
| 396* Honors Seminar I | |
| 397* Honors Seminar II | |
| 407 Introduction to Old English | |
| 412 Medieval British Literatures | |
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
421 Later Renaiss Poetry & Prose |
|
426 Earlier 18thC Literature |
|
427 Later 18thC Literature |
|
428 British Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
| 465* Topics in Drama | |
475 Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476* Topics in Lit & Environment | |
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| Group II: British literature after 1800. | |
207 Romantic Lit and Culture |
|
208 Victorian Lit and Culture |
|
247 The British Novel |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
325* Topics in LBGT Lit & Film |
|
373* Special Topics in Film Studies |
|
396* Honors Seminar I |
|
| 397* Honors Seminar II | |
431 British Romantic Literature |
|
434 Victorian Poetry and Prose |
|
435 19thC British Fiction |
|
441 British Lit 1900 - 1930 |
|
442 British Lit Since 1930 |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465* Topics in Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476* Topics in Lit & Environment | |
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hrs | Group III: American literature: |
250 The American Novel to 1914 |
|
251 The American Novel Since 1914 |
|
256 Survey of American Lit II |
|
259 Afro-American Literature I |
|
260 Afro-American Literature II |
|
265 Intro to American Indian Lit |
|
272 Minority Images in Amer Film |
|
| 273 American Cinema Since 1950 | |
274* Literature and Society |
|
| 275 American Indians and Film | |
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
286 Asian American Literature |
|
| 325* Topics in LBGT Lit & Film | |
373* Special Topics in Film Studies |
|
396* Honors Seminar I |
|
| 397* Honors Seminar II | |
449 American Lit 1820 - 1865 |
|
450 American Lit 1865 - 1914 |
|
451 American Lit 1914 - 1945 |
|
452 American Lit 1945 - Present |
|
| 459 Topics in American Indian Lit | |
460 Lit of American Minorities |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465* Topics in Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476* Topics in Lit & Environment | |
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hrs | Group IV: an Author-studies course: |
| 398* Honors Seminar III | |
411 Chaucer |
|
423 Milton |
|
455 Major Authors |
|
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
| 3 hrs | Group V: Special-topics courses: Choose from one of the following courses: |
| 211 Intro to Modern African Lit (AFST 210) | |
213 Modernist Lit and Culture |
|
241 Beginnings of Modern Poetry |
|
242 Poetry Since 1940 |
|
243 Modern Drama I |
|
244 Modern Drama II |
|
247 The British Novel |
|
248 Brit Amer & Contin Fiction |
|
250 The American Novel to 1914 |
|
251 The American Novel since 1914 |
|
| 259 Afro-American Literature I | |
260 Afro-American Literature II |
|
265 Intro to American Indian Lit |
|
272 Minority Images in Amer Film |
|
| 273 American Cinema Since 1950 | |
274* Literature and Society |
|
275 American Indians and Film |
|
280 Women Writers |
|
281 Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
| 284 Modern Jewish Literature | |
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
286 Asian American Literature |
|
325 Topics in LBGT Lit & Film |
|
359 Lit Responses to the Holocaust (YDSH 320) |
|
363 Jewish Immigrant Literature |
|
373 Special Topics in Film Studies |
|
378 Fairy Tales & Gender Formation |
|
380 Topics in Writing Studies |
|
396 Honors Seminar I |
|
| 397 Honors Seminar II | |
| 407 Introduction to Old English | |
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
428 British Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
435 19thC British Fiction |
|
459 Topics In American Indian Lit |
|
| 460 Lit of American Minorities | |
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465 Topics in Drama |
|
470 Modern African Fiction |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
| 476 Topics in Lit & Environment | |
485 Literature for the High School |
|
| 300+ Writing About Literature
|
|
| 3 hrs | English 402 Descriptive English Grammar (with advisor's permission, students may substitute English 404 Engl Grammar for ESL Teachers) |
| 3 hrs | English 481 Comp Theory and Practice |
| 3 hrs | Language or Writing Studies - choose one (with the permission of an advisor, students may substitute a course in Linguistics for the courses in this group): |
| 401 Intro to Study of Engl Lang | |
| 403 History of the English Lang | |
| 482 Writing Technologies | |
| BTW 490 Special Topics Prof Writing | |
| 42 | Supporting Coursework: |
| 6 hrs | Western Civilization Requirement: Choose one of the following pairs: |
| CWL 241 and 242: Masterpieces of West Culture I & II | |
| HIST 141: Western Civ to 1660 and 142: Western Civ Since 1660 | |
| HIST 171: US Hist to 1877 and 172: US Hist Since 1877 | |
| HIST 255: British Isles to 1688 and 256: Great Britain Since 1688 | |
| 37 hrs | Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching: |
| The professional education component of the program will be divided into two phases: | |
| Pre-education courses: | |
| EPSY 201 (prerequisite: PSYC 100) | |
| EPS 201 | |
| The professional education sequence as approved by the Council on Teacher Education: | |
| 5 semester hours in the fall of the junior year | |
| 6 in the spring of the junior year | |
| 8 in the fall of the senior year | |
| 12 in the spring of the senior year (combining courses in pedagogy and the student teaching experience) |
Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
Students must maintain a University and cumulative 2.5 grade point to remain in good standing.
Minor in English
E-mail: englishadvising@illinois.edu
Web address for department: www.english.illinois.edu
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | English 200 Intro to Literary Study |
| 3 | English 301 Critical Approaches to Lit |
| 3 | One 200-level course in British literature before 1800 |
| 3 | One 200-level course in British or American literature after 1800 |
| 6 | Two additional 300- or 400-level courses in English |
| 3 | One English or Creative Writing course selected in consultation with an English Department advisor |
| 21 | Total |