Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English with Literature Emphasis or English with Creative Writing Emphasis. Students interested in secondary teaching may choose to give the English Literature major a teaching focus.
Minors are also available in English, Creative Writing, English Linguistics, Film Studies, Women's Literature, and Writing Studies.
Please see the Advising section's page on declaring a major or minor for more information.
MajorsLiterature Emphasis (60 Credits) - Download the Plan of Study
The literature emphasis offers students the opportunity for both breadth and depth in the study of literature and culture. In the "Literature and Culture" courses (ENG 307-311), which are the core of the major, students gain a sense of historical scope as they explore literatures from a range of periods. In addition, majors take required courses in critical and cultural theory, writing and the history and theory of language. All of these courses provide a solid foundation for intensive study of specialized topics in the upper-level electives and in the senior seminar.
- Four courses from ENG 307, 308, 309, 310, 311
- One course from ENG 301, 302, 350, 401
- ENG 313
- ENG 370
- Students who earn a 3.0 or better in LING 201 may substitute a 300 or 400-level English course for ENG 370 with approval of a major advisor
- ENG 418
- 418 is not repeatable and cannot be used as an elective for the major
- Electives (20 credits): 15 credits at the 400 level, 5 credits at either the 300 or 400 level.
The creative writing emphasis offers students the opportunity to develop their writing skills in the genres of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and drama. Introductory and advanced genre courses form the core of the major, giving students an opportunity to develop their craft and aesthetics through intensive writing, reading and workshops.
- 25 credits in literature
- May include literary/cultural theory and film studies at the 300 or 400 level, including a writing proficiency course
- Two of the following: ENG 351, 353, 354, THTR 384, FAIR 354v
- ENG 370
- Students who earn a 3.0 or better in LING 201 may substitute a 300 or 400-level English course for ENG 370 with approval of a major advisor
- Four of the following: ENG 451*, 453*, 454*, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460**; THTR 485***; FAIR 454y.
- *One from 451, 453, and 454 may be repeated once with a different instructor
- **ENG 460 may be repeated once with a different instructor
- ***THTR 485 may be repeated under separate topics to a maximum of 12 credits
- Creative writing courses offered by Canadian-American Studies may also be counted with approval of a major advisor
In order to receive a recommendation for state of Washington certification students must complete a "teacher certification" program, one of which is offered by the Department of Secondary Education as part of the undergraduate BA degree, as a post-baccalaureate program, or as a part of the Master in Teaching degree. See the Secondary Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements. Students seeking teaching certification are advised that the careful selection of English courses within the English-Literature major and the addition of one 5-credit English course are necessary in order to meet requirements for the English Language Arts - Secondary endorsement. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. Students must meet with the secondary education academic advisor in the English department to complete a plan of study.
- One of the following: ENG 301, 302, or 401
- Four of the following: ENG 307, 308, 309, 310, 311
- ENG 313
- ENG 347
- ENG 350
- ENG 370
- Students who earn a 3.0 or better in LING 201 may substitute a 300 or 400-level English course for ENG 370 with approval of a major advisor
- ENG 418
- ENG 436, 443, 444
