English Major (BA)
College: College of Arts & Humanities
Preparation for Graduate School
Students considering graduate study in English are urged to consult their advisors early in their programs. Their programs should include strong representation in the various historical periods and major authors of literature in English, as well as the various genres. Advisers may suggest additional reading to fill in gaps. If a course needed for graduate study preparation is not currently offered, it is occasionally possible to cover the same material through independent study (ENGL 499 Independent Study). To explore this possibility, students should consult their advisors.
Internships
Students who choose to pursue a certificate in professional writing and communication must complete a writing internship. Those majors and others interested in internships should see the department chair or those department members listed as teaching ENGL 494 Internship in Writing and Editing in the course schedule for further information.
Recommended Courses Outside of English
To obtain appropriate background information on the literary works and figures studied in English courses, students are advised to take some of their elective credits in the following courses: U.S. History 101 and 102; Western and European History 118, 119, and 120; Philosophy 101 and 102; Art History 125 and 126; and Humanities 101 and 102. For students in the Film and Cultural Studies Concentration, the Digital Media and Production Certificate would be a useful and valuable addition.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Writing Goal: Students will become writers who know how to employ a wide range of strategies as they write and to use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
- Critical Reading and Analysis Goal: Students will become accomplished, active readers who value ambiguity and complexity, and who can demonstrate a wide range of strategies for understanding texts, including interpretations with an awareness of, attentiveness to, and curiosity toward other perspectives.
- History and Theory Goal: Students will develop a comprehensive knowledge of the variety of texts in diverse time periods and in diverse locations, as well as know the critical and historical principles behind the construction of literary, linguistic, and cultural histories, in order to demonstrate an active participation in scholarship.
- Research Goal: Students will be able to follow a research process from proposal, research, drafts, to final projects.
- Collaborative Learning Goal: Students will learn that the ability to communicate their ideas to a larger audience is as important as having the ideas themselves, and that sharing and coordinating ideas sustains and develops the larger intellectual sphere, of which they are a part. Students will understand the connection between collaborative learning and their intended professional field(s), including but not limited to their future professional roles and responsibilities.
- Learning Outcomes for Program Level Goals
- Writing Goal:
- Students can write texts informed by specific (as is appropriate for the discipline and course contexts) rhetorical strategies.
- Students can write in several modes and for different audiences and purposes, with an awareness of the social implications and theoretical issues that these shifts raise.
- Students can revise for content and edit for grammatical and stylistic clarity.
- Critical Reading and Analysis Goal:
- Students can apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, evaluate, and interpret texts. These strategies may include, but are not limited to: drawing on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, reflection, intertextuality, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, syntax, context, graphics, images).
- Students can evaluate the aesthetic and/or ethical value of texts.
- Students will demonstrate an ability to recognize how formal elements of language and genre shape meaning. They will recognize how writers can transgress or subvert generic expectations, as well as fulfill them.
- History and Theory Goal:
- Students can demonstrate knowledge of the terminology of literary and/or cultural periods in order to be active participants in a variety of literary and/or cultural fields
- Students can identify and employ theoretical approaches to literary and/or cultural study (including, but not limited to, film studies, linguistics, and professional and technical writing).
- Students demonstrate an ability to read texts in relation to their historical and cultural contexts, in order to gain a richer understanding of both text and context, and to become more aware of themselves as situated historically and culturally.
- Research Goal:
- Students can identify and formulate questions for productive inquiry.
- Students can evaluate sources for credibility, bias, quality of evidence, and quality of reasoning.
- Students use citation methods and structures appropriate to their field of study.
- Collaborative Learning Goal:
- Students can effectively peer review.
- Students can engage in thoughtful and critical debate.
- Students can produce quality collaborate projects.
Requirements for the English Major
Portfolio Requirement
At the end of their last semester, English majors must submit for approval a portfolio of written work that they have completed in English courses at UW-Parkside. Unapproved portfolios must be revised before a diploma can be received. For portfolio requirements, instructions, and models of portfolios that have shown mastery, please visit our website at: http://www.uwp.edu/learn/departments/english/portfolio.cfm.
The English major consists of courses in English and related disciplines beyond the required freshman composition sequence. Students are encouraged to consult with English Department faculty advisors before declaring their major and during its completion to fulfill their program of study most expediently and comfortably.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses for Major | ||
| Literary Analysis | ||
| ENGL 266 | Literary Analysis | 3 |
| Portfolio Workshop | ||
| Select one of the following that is appropriate for your program: | 1 | |
| Portfolio Workshop: English, Film and Cultural Studies | ||
| Portfolio Workshop: English Language Arts | ||
| Portfolio Workshop: Professional Writing | ||
| Core Courses for Major Subtotal | 4 | |
| Completion Options for Major | ||
| Choose one option | 33-39 | |
| Completion Options for Major Subtotal | 33-39 | |
| Total Credits | 37-43 | |
Completion Options for Major
Standard Major
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Literature Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Women In Literature | ||
| Introduction to Literature | ||
| Literature Into Film | ||
| Introductory Literature Course Subtotal | 3 | |
| Literature of Diversity | ||
| ENGL 267 | Literature of Diversity | 3 |
| Literature of Diversity Subtotal | 3 | |
| Grammar and Language | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Grammar For Teachers and Writers | ||
| The English Language | ||
| Linguistics | ||
| Grammar and Language Subtotal | 3 | |
| Shakespeare | ||
| ENGL 320 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| Shakespeare Subtotal | 3 | |
| Classical and World Literature | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pre-1800 World Literature | ||
| Post-1800 World Literature | ||
| Epic and Mythology | ||
| The Bible as Literature | ||
| Holocaust Studies | ||
| Classical and World Literature Subtotal | 3 | |
| British Surveys | ||
| Only one British survey course will be offered every semester | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| British Literature to 1500 | ||
| British Literature, 1500-1700 | ||
| British Literature, 1700-1900 | ||
| Modern and Contemporary British Literature | ||
| British Surveys Subtotal | 6 | |
| American Surveys | ||
| Only one American survey course will be offered every semester | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Pre-Columbian Literature | ||
| Puritan and Colonial American Literature | ||
| 19th Century American Literature | ||
| 20th and 21st Century American Literature | ||
| American Surveys Subtotal | 6 | |
| 400-Level Literature Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Major British Authors | ||
| Studies In British Literature | ||
| Advanced Shakespeare | ||
| Major American Authors | ||
| Studies in American Literature | ||
| Major Modern and Contemporary Authors | ||
| Studies In Modern and Contemporary Literature | ||
| Studies In Classical and World Literature | ||
| Studies in Literature or Culture | ||
| Literature and Other Disciplines | ||
| Studies in Cultural Trends | ||
| Holocaust Studies | ||
| Women as Writers and Characters | ||
| 400-Level Literature Courses Subtotal | 6 | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| ENGL 495 | Seminar in Literature | 3 |
| Senior Seminar Subtotal | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
English Major with the Language Arts Concentration
The English major with the optional concentration in language arts is intended for those who wish to pursue teacher certification. Please contact UW-Parkside’s Institute of Professional Educator Development (IPED) for additional information on pathways for elementary and high school certification and teacher training.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Literature | ||
| ENGL 167 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| Introduction to Literature Subtotal | 3 | |
| Literature of Diversity | ||
| ENGL 267 | Literature of Diversity | 3 |
| Literature of Diversity Subtotal | 3 | |
| Grammar | ||
| ENGL 287 | Grammar For Teachers and Writers | 3 |
| Grammar Subtotal | 3 | |
| Language and Linguistics | ||
| ENGL 380 | The English Language | 3 |
| or ENGL 387 | Linguistics | |
| Language and Linguistics Subtotal | 3 | |
| Shakespeare | ||
| ENGL 320 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| Shakespeare Subtotal | 3 | |
| Classical and World Literature | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pre-1800 World Literature | ||
| Post-1800 World Literature | ||
| Epic and Mythology | ||
| The Bible as Literature | ||
| Holocaust Studies | ||
| Classical and World Literature Subtotal | 3 | |
| Children’s or Young Adult Literature | ||
| ENGL 344 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| or ENGL 354 | Young Adult Literature | |
| Children’s or Young Adult Literature Subtotal | 3 | |
| British Survey | ||
| Only one British survey course will be offered every semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| British Literature to 1500 | ||
| British Literature, 1500-1700 | ||
| British Literature, 1700-1900 | ||
| Modern and Contemporary British Literature | ||
| British Survey Subtotal | 3 | |
| American Survey | ||
| Only one American survey course will be offered every semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pre-Columbian Literature | ||
| Puritan and Colonial American Literature | ||
| 19th Century American Literature | ||
| 20th and 21st Century American Literature | ||
| American Survey Subtotal | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Writing Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Poetry Writing | ||
| Advanced Fiction Writing | ||
| Advanced Expository Writing | ||
| Advanced Technical Writing | ||
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Non-Fiction Writing | ||
| Upper-Division Writing Course Subtotal | 3 | |
| 400-level Literature Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Major British Authors | ||
| Studies In British Literature | ||
| Advanced Shakespeare | ||
| Major American Authors | ||
| Studies in American Literature | ||
| Major Modern and Contemporary Authors | ||
| Studies In Modern and Contemporary Literature | ||
| Studies In Classical and World Literature | ||
| Studies in Literature or Culture | ||
| Literature and Other Disciplines | ||
| Studies in Cultural Trends | ||
| Holocaust Studies | ||
| Women as Writers and Characters | ||
| 400-level Literature Course Subtotal | 3 | |
| Teaching in English | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Teaching English Language Arts | ||
| Teaching and Assessing Composition | ||
| Teaching in English Subtotal | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
English Major with the Film and Cultural Studies Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Film | ||
| ENGL 252 | Introduction to Film | 3 |
| Introduction to Film Subtotal | 3 | |
| Literature into Film | ||
| ENGL 253 | Literature Into Film | 3 |
| Literature into Film Subtotal | 3 | |
| Cultural Diversities | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Communication and Ethnicity | ||
| Gender, Race, Class and Sexualities in the Media | ||
| Literature of Diversity | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Studies | ||
| Multicultural Theatre in America | ||
| Queer Representation on Stage and Screen | ||
| Cultural Diversities Subtotal | 3 | |
| Film History | ||
| ENGL 258 | History of Film to 1950 | 3 |
| ENGL 259 | History of Film from 1950 | 3 |
| Film History Subtotal | 6 | |
| 300-Level Literature and Cultural Studies | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| British Literature to 1500 | ||
| British Literature, 1500-1700 | ||
| British Literature, 1700-1900 | ||
| Modern and Contemporary British Literature | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Pre-Columbian Literature | ||
| Puritan and Colonial American Literature | ||
| 19th Century American Literature | ||
| 20th and 21st Century American Literature | ||
| Young Adult Literature | ||
| Epic and Mythology | ||
| 300-Level Literature and Cultural Studies Subtotal | 6 | |
| 300-Level Studies in Cinema and Culture | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Digital Storytelling | ||
| Alternative Narratives | ||
| Film Genres | ||
| Digital Video | ||
| 300-Level Studies in Cinema and Culture Subtotal | 6 | |
| 400-Level Course in Literary/Cultural Studies | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Gender, Race, Class and Sexualities in the Media | ||
| Major British Authors | ||
| Studies In British Literature | ||
| Advanced Shakespeare | ||
| Major American Authors | ||
| Major Modern and Contemporary Authors | ||
| Studies In Modern and Contemporary Literature | ||
| Studies In Classical and World Literature | ||
| Studies in Literature or Culture | ||
| Studies in Film | ||
| Studies in Cultural Trends | ||
| Holocaust Studies | ||
| Women as Writers and Characters | ||
| 400-Level Course in Literary/Cultural Studies Subtotal | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| ENGL 495 | Seminar in Literature | 3 |
| Senior Seminar Subtotal | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
General University Degree Requirements (Bachelor's Degree)
In addition to individual program requirements, students must also fulfill the following requirements:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Skills | 7-8 |
| General Education | 36 |
| Foreign Language** | 6-8 |
| Ethnic Diversity | 3 |
| Total | 52-55 |
** Transfer students in sustainable management, and health information management and technology collaborative, online degree-completion programs, the business management online degree-completion program, and the flexible option degree-completion program will be exempt from the university’s foreign language requirement. See appropriate academic section for further information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| Computational Skills | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4-5 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| Elementary Statistics | ||
| College Mathematics with Applications | ||
| College Algebra I | ||
| Total Credits | 7-8 | |
Degree Requirements
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Minimum Total Credits | 120 |
| Upper Level Credits (300 level or above) | 36 |
| Residency | 30 |
Cumulative Degree GPA: 2.0 minimum
English Major with Completion Option: Standard
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| MATH 102 | Quantitative Reasoning | 4 |
| ENGL 100 | Fundamentals of English | 3 |
| Introductory Language | 4 | |
| General Education (SS) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Reading | 3 |
| ENGL 112 |
Women In Literature or Introduction to Literature or Literature Into Film |
3 |
| General Education (SS) | 3 | |
| General Education (NS) | 3 | |
| Introductory Language | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
| Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| ENGL 266 | Literary Analysis | 3 |
| ENGL 267 | Literature of Diversity | 3 |
| ENGL 316 |
British Literature to 1500 or British Literature, 1500-1700 or British Literature, 1700-1900 or Modern and Contemporary British Literature |
3 |
| General Education (NS) | 3 | |
| General Education (SS) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 326 |
Pre-Columbian Literature or Puritan and Colonial American Literature or 19th Century American Literature or 20th and 21st Century American Literature |
3 |
| ENGL 380 |
The English Language or Linguistics or Grammar For Teachers and Writers |
3 |
| General Education (NS) | 3 | |
| General Education (SS) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| Year 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| ENGL 317 |
British Literature, 1500-1700 or British Literature to 1500 or British Literature, 1700-1900 or Modern and Contemporary British Literature |
3 |
| ENGL 320 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| 300/400 Level General Elective | 3 | |
| General Education (HU) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 327 |
Puritan and Colonial American Literature or Pre-Columbian Literature or 19th Century American Literature or 20th and 21st Century American Literature |
3 |
| 400 Level English Literature | 3 | |
| 300/400 Level General Elective | 3 | |
| General Education (HU) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| Year 4 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| ENGL 346 |
Pre-1800 World Literature or Pre-1800 World Literature or Epic and Mythology or The Bible as Literature or Holocaust Studies |
3 |
| 400 Level English Literature | 3 | |
| 300/400 Level General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective OR General Education (HU) if needed | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 477 |
Portfolio Workshop: English, Film and Cultural Studies or Portfolio Workshop: English Language Arts or Portfolio Workshop: Professional Writing |
1 |
| ENGL 495 | Seminar in Literature | 3 |
| General Education (NS) | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
Note: Students interested in the Language Arts or Film and Cultural Studies should work with their advisor to develop a 4 year plan.