Undergraduate English Concentrations

In the Creative Writing Concentration, you will work with our internationally famous faculty to analyze and practice the craft of writing in three different genres: fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. Along with a range of literature courses that will help you develop analytical skills and a deep understanding of literary history, you will take our introductory creative writing class, ENGL 290, and at least five upper-division writing classes.

Students should consult the general English B.A. requirements. For this concentration, they must select 18 of their 45 credits from the following list: 

• ENGL 290
• 2-3 courses from ENGL 391, ENGL 392, or ENGL 393
• 2-3 courses from ENGL 487, ENGL 491, ENGL 492, ENGL 493, or ENGL 447

The Linguistics Concentration will engage you in the formal study of languages. In addition to completing coursework that covers language structures, language development and language use in society, you will examine the connection between language acquisition and pedagogy.

Students should consult the general English B.A. requirements. For this concentration, they must select 18 of their 45 credits from the following list:

• ENGL 241
• at least one of ENGL 309, ENGL 310, ENGL 313, ENGL 316, ENGL 317, ENGL 318, ENGL 393
• ENGL 408
• ENGL 410
• ENGL 444
• ENGL 496

Students in the Literature Concentration develop critical thinking, analytical and writing skills through deep study of literature, history and theory. Students can take a range of courses — including surveys of American, British, Caribbean, African and Native American literatures — as well as seminars on diverse subjects like Shakespeare, critical theory, environmental writing, women’s poetry, and literature of the American West.

Students should consult the general English B.A. requirements. For this concentration, they must select 18 of their 45 credits from the following list: 

• ENGL 310at least one of ENGL 257, ENGL 258, ENGL 267, ENGL 268, ENGL 277, ENGL 278
• at least two of ENGL 322, ENGL 329, ENGL 345, ENGL 365, ENGL 366, ENGL 380, ENGL 382, ENGL 383, ENGL 384, ENGL 385
• at least two of ENGL 461, ENGL 462, ENGL 463, ENGL 464, ENGL 473, ENGL 481, ENGL 482

The Professional Writing Concentration will help you develop the analytical skills and broad cultural perspective that make up the cornerstone of the English major. In this emphasis, however, you will also gain extensive practice in writing for a variety of audiences, purposes and genres including both written and oral workplace communication.

Students should consult the general English B.A. requirements. For this concentration, they must select 18 of their 45 credits from the following list: 

• ENGL 202
• at least one of ENGL 207, ENGL 208, ENGL 241, ENGL 290
• at least two of ENGL 309, ENGL 313, ENGL 316, ENGL 317, ENGL 318, ENGL 393
• at least two of ENGL 402, ENGL 419, ENGL 486, ENGL 496, ENGL 498