English
The Department of English sponsors two options. The English Option is organized to provide instruction in literature in English, literary theory and criticism, the English language, expository and creative writing, writing studies, 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 Option leads to certification to teach in Secondary School. Students must select one option. The department also offers a major in Rhetoric with options in creative writing and professional writing, a teacher education minor in Rhetoric, and a teacher education minor in English which is described below.
Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum
Students must select one option.
English Option
E-mail: english@english.uiuc.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.
General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so that students automatically 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 enter the honors program with at least a 3.25 grade point average, complete three honors seminars, and write a senior honors essay. To be considered for highest distinction, a student must take an additional 3 hours and complete a senior honors thesis. The level of distinction is assigned by the honors committee on the basis of grade point average, work in English courses and in honors seminars, and the readers' evaluations of the honors essay or honors thesis. Interested students should consult the departmental honors adviser for details.
Hours | Requirements |
---|---|
3-6 | Introductory Literature: Courses in this group should be completed as early as possible. Students may choose one of the following options: |
3 hrs Option A (preferred): | |
English 200: Intro to Literary Study |
|
or | |
6 hrs Option B: | |
English 101: Intro to Poetry and either |
|
English 102: Intro to Drama or |
|
English 103: Intro to Fiction |
|
(Students who have already taken some other combination of introductory literature courses should consult with an advisor). | |
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 the special prerequisites for these courses: |
3 hrs ENGL 201: Critical Approaches to Lit. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and ENGL 200/101/102 or 103. | |
3 hrs ENGL 209: English Lit to 1798. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and ENGL 200/101. | |
3 hrs ENGL 210: English Lit 1798 to Present. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and ENGL 200/101. | |
3 hrs ENGL 255: Survey of American Lit I. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and English 200/101. | |
18 | Distribution Requirements: Choose one course from each of the following groups: You must include 12 hours at the 300- or 400-level (at least six of these must be in literature), including a section of ENGL 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. | |
3 hrs Shakespeare: | |
418 Shakespeare I |
|
419 Shakespeare II |
|
300+* |
|
6 hours | British Literature: Choose one course from both Group I and 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 |
|
415 Early Renaiss Poetry & Prose |
|
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
421 Later Renaiss Poetry & Prose |
|
426 Earlier 18thC Literature |
|
427 Later 18thC Literature |
|
428 English Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
475 Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
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 |
|
431 English 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 |
|
466* Topics in Modern Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
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 |
|
363 Jewish Immigrant Literature |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
286 Asian American Literature |
|
449 American Lit 1820 - 1865 |
|
450 American Lit 1865 - 1914 |
|
451 American Lit 1914 - 1945 |
|
452 American Lit 1945 - Present |
|
460 Lit of American Minorities |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
466* Topics in Modern Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
3 hrs | Group IV: an Author-studies course: |
411 Chaucer |
|
423 Milton |
|
455 Major Authors |
|
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
3 hrs | Group V: Special-topics courses: Choose from one of the following groups or an English 300+ identified as a Group V topic: |
Theme, Mode, Genre: | |
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 |
|
267 Grimms Fairy Tales in Context |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
428 English Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
435 19thC British Fiction |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465 Stage Comedy |
|
466* Topics in Modern Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
Gender and Ethnic Studies: | |
211 Intro to Mod African Lit |
|
259 Afro-American Literature I |
|
260 Afro-American Literature II |
|
363 Jewish Immigrant Literature |
|
272 Minority Images in Amer Film |
|
280 Women Writers |
|
281 Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
284 Modern Jewish Literature |
|
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
286 Asian American Literature |
|
359 Lit Responses to the Holocaust |
|
460 Lit of American Minorities |
|
470 Modern African Fiction |
|
Film Studies: | |
272 Minority Images in Amer Film |
|
273 Intermediate Film Studies |
|
473 Special Topics in Film Studies |
|
Critical Theory: | |
461* Topics in Literature |
|
483 Lit Crit From 1800 to Present |
|
485 Literature for the High School |
|
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.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.
NOTE: Students planning to enter graduate school should elect as many 300- or 400-level courses as possible, including a course in either Chaucer or Milton; a course in the history or structure of the English language; and a course in critical theory. Further, these students should consult the specific requirements of the graduate schools they plan to enter.
English Teaching Option
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: english@english.uiuc.edu
Web address for department: www.english.uiuc.edu
Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equate to 48 hours
General education: The general education requirements for the teaching options of the English major will be the same as for LAS with the addition of a speech performance course, SPCM 101, or course sequence SPCM 111 and 112.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Departmental distinction: Distinction will be awarded on the basis of grade-point average and satisfactory completion of honors, individual study, and honors essay courses. See the English adviser for a detailed statement of the requirements.
Prerequisites to transfer to the Teaching Option. In addition to EPSY 201 and EPS 201, students must also complete ENGL 200 or 101 (English 200 preferred) and at least nine hours from ENGL 201, 209, 210, 255, or 256 prior to transfer into the Teaching Option.
NOTE: In addition to the requirements for the option 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: Courses in this group should be completed as early as possible. Students may choose one of the following options: |
3 hrs | Option A (preferred): |
English 200: Intro to Literary Study or | |
6 hrs | Option B: |
English 101: Intro to Poetry and either | |
English 102: Intro to Drama or | |
English 103: Intro to Fiction | |
(Students who have already taken some other combination of introductory literature courses should consult with an advisor). | |
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 the special prerequisites for these courses: |
3 hrs | English 201: Critical Approaches to Lit. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and English 200/101/102 or 103. |
3 hrs | English 209: English Lit to 1798. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and English 200/101. |
3 hrs | English 210: English Lit 1798 to Present. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and English 200/101. |
3 hrs | English 255: Survey of American Lit I. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and English 200/101. |
3 hrs | English 256: Survey of American Lit II. Prerequisite: Completion of the Comp. I requirement and English 200/101. |
24 | Distribution Requirements: Choose one course from each of the following groups: You must include 12 hours at the 300- or 400-level (at least six of these must be in literature), 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 |
|
418 Shakespeare I |
|
419 Shakespeare II |
|
300+* |
|
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 |
|
415 Early Renaiss Poetry & Prose |
|
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
421 Later Renaiss Poetry & Prose |
|
426 Earlier 18thC Literature |
|
427 Later 18thC Literature |
|
428 English Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
475 Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
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 |
|
431 English 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 |
|
466* Topics in Modern Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
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 |
|
363 Jewish Immigrant Literature |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
280* Women Writers |
|
281* Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
286 Asian American Literature |
|
449 American Lit 1820 - 1865 |
|
450 American Lit 1865 - 1914 |
|
451 American Lit 1914 - 1945 |
|
452 American Lit 1945 - Present |
|
460 Lit of American Minorities |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
466* Topics in Modern Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
3 hrs | Group IV: an Author-studies course: |
411 Chaucer |
|
423 Milton |
|
455 Major Authors |
|
300+* Writing About Literature |
|
3 hrs | Group V: Special-topics courses: Choose from one of the following groups or an English 300+ identified as a Group V topic: |
Theme, Mode, Genre: | |
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 |
|
267 Grimms Fairy Tales in Context |
|
274* Literature and Society |
|
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
416 Drama of Shakespeare's Contemp |
|
428 English Drama 1660-1800 |
|
429 18th Century Fiction |
|
435 19thC British Fiction |
|
461* Topics in Literature |
|
462* Topics in Modern Fiction |
|
465 Stage Comedy |
|
466* Topics in Modern Drama |
|
475* Lit and Other Disciplines |
|
Gender and Ethnic Studies: | |
211 Intro to Modern African Lit |
|
259 Afro-American Literature I |
|
260 Afro-American Literature II |
|
363 Jewish Immigrant Literature |
|
272 Minority Images in Amer Film |
|
280 Women Writers |
|
281 Women in the Lit Imagination |
|
284 Modern Jewish Literature |
|
285 Postcolonial Lit in English |
|
286 Asian American Literature |
|
359 Lit Responses to the Holocaust |
|
460 Lit of American Minorities |
|
470 Modern African Fiction |
|
Film Studies: | |
272 Minority Images in Amer Film |
|
273 Intermediate Film Studies |
|
473 Special Topics in Film Studies |
|
Critical Theory: | |
461* Topics in Literature |
|
483 Lit Crit From 1800 to Present |
|
485 Literature for the High School |
|
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 | |
36 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: | |
3 semester hours in the fall of the junior year | |
6 in the spring of the junior year | |
6 in the fall of the senior year | |
15 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 English1
E-mail: english@english.uiuc.edu
Web address for department: www.english.uiuc.edu
Hours | Requirements |
---|---|
3 | English 200 Intro to Literary Study |
3 | English 201 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 | 300 or 400-level work |
3 | One course selected in consultation with an English Department advisor |
21 | Total |
Teacher Education Minor in English
Teacher education minors are available only to students seeking to add additional teaching fields to their teaching majors.
E-mail: english@english.uiuc.edu
Web address for department: www.english.uiuc.edu
Hours | Requirements |
---|---|
4 | Select from: |
RHET 105Principles of Composition |
|
RHET 108Forms of Composition |
|
6 | Two courses in English literature (the following are strongly recommended): |
ENGL 209English Lit to 1798, and |
|
ENGL 210English Lit 1798 to Present |
|
6 | Two courses in American literature (the following are strongly recommended): |
ENGL 255Survey of American Lit I, and |
|
ENGL 256Survey of American Lit II |
|
3 | ENGL 402Descriptive English Grammar |
3 | Select from: |
ENGL 481Comp Theory and Practice (strongly recommended) |
|
RHET 233Principles of Composition |
|
RHET 243Inter Expository Writing |
|
6 | Electives in English or American literature: |
ENGL 201Critical Approaches to Literature (strongly recommended) |
|
28 | Total |
Students are advised that additional course work is necessary to teach middle grades six through eight. Consult the certification officer at 505 East Green Suite 203 for additional information.