Requirements for the Major and Minor

Program One: English Language Arts is designed for the student who intends to teach English at the secondary level and/or to pursue graduate studies in English. This program is approved by the Illinois State Teacher Certification Board in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education and leads to the Standard High School (6-12) Certificate. Major only.

Program Two: Language and Literature is designed for the student who wants to develop an individualized program of study in language and literature in order to prepare for graduate studies in English or to enter into professions, such as Internet and/or traditional publishing, law, business, or medicine, in which reading skills, analytical skills and writing skills are essential.  Major or Minor.

Program Three: Writing is designed for the student who wants to develop her skills in writing, whether for the goal of professional employment in business applications, (such as Public Relations, Publishing, Technical Writing, and Editing) or for the goal of publication of creative poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.  In this program, students may design a course of study that combines Creative and Professional elements. 
Major, Minor in Creative Writing, or Minor in Professional Writing.

Program One: English Language Arts 

Degree Offered: Bachelor of Arts 
Total Credit Hours: 128 
Major Credit Hours: 38 

The Department of English features a fully approved English Language Arts program that prepares candidates to teach grades 6-12 in Illinois public and private schools. The program is approved by the State Teacher Certification Board, in conjunction with the Illinois State Board of Education, and includes all the requirements for a major in English Language Arts.  English majors specializing in Program One: English Language Arts must declare a minor in Secondary Education.  See advisors in the Department of English and College of Education for specific approval and a list of required courses.

Requirements for this program in English are divided into six categories: Core Courses, Survey Courses, Non-Western or American Multi-cultural Courses, Electives, Advanced Writing, and the Portfolio Review.

A.Core Courses (23 Credit Hours) 
Students must take the following courses:
06-250 Introduction to Textual Studies (3)
06-310 Advanced Writing (3)*
06-314 Linguistics (3) 
06-315 Grammar for Teachers (1) 
06-316 Teaching Writing (3) 
06-318 Writing-Center Practicum (1) 
06-228 Adolescent Literature (3) 
06-360 Shakespeare (3) 
06-380 Writing Portfolio (0) #
06-420 Literary Theory and Criticism (3) 

*  Please note: Advanced Writing fulfills the general education writing requirement. Other writing courses may be substituted for 06-310 with permission: 06-300 Writing for the Professions; 06-311 Introduction to Creative Writing; 06-306 Editing for Publishing; 06-307 The Electronic Word; or writing courses from other departments with the approval of the Chair of English.

# Please note: In consultation with their advisors in the English Department, majors must submit a portfolio of writing for review. The portfolio represents assignments and projects completed in courses. Students should register for 06-380 Writing Portfolio in the semester before Graduation. Further information can be obtained from the advisor and department chair. 

B. Choose one of the following: (3)
    06-341 American Literature Beginnings to 1860 (3)
               OR
    06-343 American Literature 1860 to 1912 (3)

C. Choose one of the following: (3)
    06-351 British Literature Beginnings to 1700 (3)
               OR
    06-353 British Literature 1700 to 1910 (3)

D. Choose one of the following (a 20th-century course is strongly advised): (3)
    06-341 American Literature Beginnings to 1860 (3)
    06-343 American Literature 1860 to 1912 (3)
    06-345 American Literature 1912 to Present (3)
    06-351 British Literature Beginnings to 1700 (3)
    06-353 British Literature 1700 to 1910 (3)
    06-355 British Literature 1910 to Present (3)

E. Multicultural Literature: Choose one of the following: (3)
    06-334 Non-Western Literature (3)
    06-346 Topics in Immigrant Literatures (3)
    06-347 Native American Literature (3)
    06-348 African American Literature (3)

F. One English Elective (3)
    Any 3-hour course offered by the English Department,
    06-200 to 06-499 (3)

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Program Two: Language and Literature Study

English major leading to graduate school, law, writing, politics or administration. 

Requirements for this program are divided into five categories: Core Courses, Survey Courses, Electives, Advanced Writing, and the Portfolio Review.

A. Core Courses (15 Credit Hours) 
Students must take the following courses:
06-250 Introduction to English Studies (3)
06-310 Advanced Writing (3)or 06-300 Writing for the Professions (3)
06-314 Linguistics (3) 
06-366 Shakespeare (3) 
06-420 Literary Theory and Criticism (3) 
06-380 Writing Portfolio (0) 

B.Survey of Literature Courses (9) 
Students must take at least one American Literature survey course from the Pre-modern period and one British Literature survey course from the Pre-modern period and one additional course. 

One American Literature Pre-modem survey: 06-341 or 06-343 
One British Literature Pre-modern survey: 06-351 or 06-353 
One additional course from the following: 06-341, 06-343, 06-345, 06-351, 06-353,06-355

C.Four English Electives (12) 
Students may take any 200, 300, or 400-level literature course to fulfill this requirement.  Students are strongly encouraged, however, to take as many literature courses as their schedule allows.

C.Advanced Writing Requirement
The general education advanced writing requirement is satisfied by the completion of   06-310 Advanced Writing (3) or 06-300 Writing for the Professions. 

D.Portfolio Review
In consultation with their advisors in the English Department, majors must submit a portfolio of writing for review. The portfolio represents assignments and projects completed in courses. Students should register for 06-380 Writing Portfolio in the semester before graduation. Further information can be obtained from the advisor and department chair.

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English Minor: Program Two 

Total Credit Hours Required: 18 

A.Core Courses (6) 
Students must take the following courses:
06-325 Introduction to English Studies (3) 
06-300 Writing for the Professions (3) or 06-310 Advanced Writing (3)

B.Survey of Literature Courses (6) 

Students must take one American Literature survey and one British Literature survey. 
American survey courses: 06-341, 06-343, or 06-345 
British survey courses: 06-351, 06-353, or06-355 

C.Two English Electives (6) 
Students may take any 200, 300, or 400-level literature course to fulfill this requirement.  Students are strongly encouraged, however, to take as many literature courses as their schedule allows.

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Program Three: Writing

English major leading to a writing intensive, creative, and professional career in all fields with a Bachelor of Arts. 

Total Credit Hours: 128
Major Credit Hours: 43

A. Core Courses (22)
    06-250 Introduction to English Studies (3)
    06-300 Writing for the Professions (3)
    06-301 Rhetoric for Writers (3)
    06-310 Advanced Writing (3)
    06-311 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
    06-314 Linguistics (3)
    06-318 Writing Center Practicum (1)
    06-380 Writing Portfolio (0)
    06-425 Theories of Composing (3)

B. Required Literature Courses (9)

One American Literature survey (3): 06-341, 06-343, 06-345, One British Literature survey (3): 06-351, 06-353, or06-355, and 06-360 Shakespeare (3)

C. Recommended English Electives (12)

Students choose to specialize in one of the following areas or create a course of study that combines electives from each area.

I. Creative Writing
    06-125 Writers’ Roundtable (1)
               (May be taken for up to 3 credits total)
    06-303 Stylistics and Grammars (3)
    06-307 The Electronic Word: Theory and Practice (3)
    06-309 Topics in Writing (3)
    06-312 Workshop in Creative Writing (3)
    06-400 Internship (1-6)
    06-413 Advanced Workshops in Creative Writing (3)
    06-415 Seminar in Writing (3)
    06-420 Literary Theory and Criticism (3)

II. Professional Writing

Students specializing in Professional Writing must take an approved technology-based writing course marked below with an asterisk. 06-307 is strongly recommended.
    06-125 Writers’ Roundtable (1)
    06-303 Stylistics and Grammars (3)
    06-305 Writing for Global Audiences (3)
    06-306 Editing for Publishing (3)
    06-307 The Electronic Word: Theory and Practice (3)
    06-308 Advanced Technical Writing (3)
    06-309 Topics in Writing (3)
    06-400 Internship (1-6)
    06-415 Seminar in Writing (3)

III. Possible Electives for Other Majors Elective courses taken outside of the English Department must have the approval of the advisor and program director.
     01-231 Introduction to Computer Graphic Design (3)
    10-200 Feature Writing (3)
    10-320 Publications Design (3)
    10-335 Advertising Copywriting (3)
    10-380 Multimedia Production I (3)
    10-382 Web Design (3)

D. The General Education advanced writing requirement is fulfilled in Program Three by the completion of 06-310 Advanced Writing.

E. In consultation with their advisors in the English Department, majors must submit for review a portfolio of writing. The portfolio represents assignments and projects completed in courses. Students should register for 06-380 Writing Portfolio during the final semester before graduation. Further information can be obtained from the advisor and department chair.

F. Students majoring in Program Three are strongly encouraged to enroll in an Internship during their final year of study. Further information can be obtained from the advisor and program director.

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Program Three Minor: Creative Writing

Minor Credit Hours: 22

A. Core Courses (13)
    06-250 Introduction to English Studies (3)
    06-301 Rhetoric for Writers (3)
    06-311 Introduction to Creative Writing (3)
    06-312 Workshop in Creative Writing (3)
    06-318 Writing Center Practicum (1)
               or
    06-125 Writers’ Roundtable (1)
               (May be taken for up to 3 credits total)
    06-413 Advanced Workshops in Creative Writing (3)
               (06-312 is a required as a prerequisite to 06-413)

B. Three English Electives at 200-level or above. (9 credit hours)

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Program Three Minor: Professional Writing

Minor Credit Hours: 22

A. Core Courses (13)
    06-250 Introduction to English Studies (3)
    06-300 Writing for the Professions (3)
    06-301 Rhetoric for Writers (3)
    06-306 Editing for Publishing (3)
    06-318 Writing Center Practicum (1)
               or
    06-125 Writers’ Roundtable (1)

B. Three English Electives at 200-level or above. (9 credits)

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