English Major

English Courses in English improve the reading, writing, and analytical skills of students, offer insight into the structure of the English language, explore film as an art form and develop an appreciation for great literature. As such, an English major is excellent preparation for the graduate study of literature and communication, for medical school, law school, and secondary education. It opens the way to many positions in government and private industry, including editing, technical writing, advertising, public relations, communication, sales, marketing, personnel management, systems engineering and programming. Within the major, in order to provide a firm foundation for more advance study later, students take four broad-range survey courses, preferably early in the program. Additionally, in order to acquire range and balance, majors take one course in the English language, chosen from Linguistics or Grammar. English majors are also required to take a varied selection from other English courses, including period surveys, literary genres, film, major figures, and writing courses.

Because of the wide diversity of offerings and the expectation that English majors should improve their intellectual background and flexibility, students are encouraged to broaden their experience with additional courses beyond the minimum required for the major.

Major Requirements

In addition to the University requirements for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, English majors must complete a minimum of thirteen (13) ENGL courses numbered above 199, of which at least six (6) of these courses must be on the 300 and 400 level, totaling the following 39 ENGL credit hours:

Code	Course	Credit
ENGL 202	The American Literary Experience	3
ENGL 204	The British Literary Experience I	3
ENGL 206	The British Literary Experience II	3
ENGL 305	Survey of Literary Theory	3
Either: ENGL 400: Linguistics, or ENGL 402: English Grammar		3
Either: ENGL 302WI: Writing: Exposition, or ENGL 304WI: Writing Argumentation		3
ENGL xxxWI	2nd ENGL Writing Intense course at the 300 level or above	3
ENGL xxx	Six (6) ENGL elective courses, which must include: One (1) literary topic or film course, and One (1) literary form or major author course	18

Additionally, one 3-credit hour speech-intensive(SI) course is required to satisfy the “General Requirements for all Bachelor Degree.

Important Notes

• The English major is offered as a Bachelor of Arts degree.  All English majors (including those students matriculating to JU with the Associate of Arts degree) must satisfy the University Core Curriculum Global Studies requirement by completing a foreign language through the 202 level.
• Course ENGL 103 is a prerequisite for all English courses numbered above 199. Course ENGL 203 can count as elective credit within the major.
• AP Credits: Students who earn a 3 on either the AP Language & Composition or the AP Literature & Compsotion exams are placed into ENGL 103 Honors. Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Language & Composition exam will earn credit for ENGL 103 and be placed into ENGL 203 Honors. Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Literature & Composition exam are awarded 3 hours of English elective credit and are placed into ENGL 103 Honors. No student may exempt ENGL 203.
• Students planning to teach in the public schools should take the following suggested courses; however, students should consult with the School of Education early in their academic careers to determine the specific requirements:
  • ENGL 203, World Literature
  • ENGL 304WI, Writing: Argumentation
  • ENGL 400, Linguistics, or ENGL 402, Development & Grammar of the English Language
  • ENGL 432, Literature & Composition
• Prior to graduation, English majors are asked to complete an assessment portfolio.