In this major, students engage not only with the aesthetics dimensions of literature, but also with the values, views and dynamics of a given and historical context. In small classes and seminars, students are given multiple opportunities to develop their skills in literary analysis, critical writing and oral expression. Outstanding student essays are selected by faculty to be published each spring in our literary journal, The Mercury.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of historical, cultural and generic contexts in order to analyze the canonical works and major periods of American and British literature as well as some lesser-known works within and outside that canon (including global literature).
• Compose thesis-driven, textually-supported literary analyses that apply the conventions of literary study, including close reading and MLA style.
• Identify and evaluate appropriate research sources, incorporate those sources into well-documented writing and formulate their own arguments based at least in part on those sources.

The 36 credit hours required for the English major include the following:

Core Courses (12 hours)

• ENGL 1900 Introductory Seminar in Literary Analysis (3 hours)
• ENGL 2020 British Literature I (3 hours)
• ENGL 2030 British Literature II (3 hours)
• ENGL 2050 U.S. Literature (3 hours)
• ENGL 4600 Portfolio Review (in the final semester of study) (0 hours)

Required Courses by Category* (24 hours)

Each category requires 3 hours, plus 6 hours of ENGL electives (any courses with the ENGL prefix).

• A minimum of three hours in a non-native language is required in addition to the requirements for the major. Courses used toward the international language requirement may also be used to fulfill general education requirements or a major/minor in a foreign language.
• Transfer students who have completed their 3 credits at an institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled the requirement, as are students who have scored a “3” or higher on an Advanced Placement exam in a non-native language.
• For students whose native language is not English, a passing grade on the TOEFL will count as their foreign language requirement. Students who are from bilingual families but have no evidence of academic study of the second language on a transcript will need to take one course.

You can get a Minor in English with a required 18 hours in ENGL classes at Webster University.