Department of English

English Major (B.A.)

Program objectives for a B.A. in English are: (a) to develop skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing; (b) have opportunities to consider the relationships among language, literature, culture, and writing; (c) to concentrate study of these interrelated areas in one of six endeavors, each with its own particular focus: African American literature, applied linguistics, creative writing, English as a second language, literature, and professional writing.

A. University General Education Program (41 hours)

See Graduation from the University for the University General Education Program requirements.

B. College and Degree (B.A.) Requirements (18-19 hours)

The College and Bachelor of Arts requirements are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements.

C. The Major (36 hours)

1. Major Core: Completion of 21 semester hours in English courses (chosen with approval of departmental advisor), including ENGL 1010, 1020; 2201 or 2202 (these courses are included in the University General Education Program requirements), ENGL 3210, 3220, and 3327; one course from ENGL 3501, 3511, 3604, 3701, 4501, 4602, 4604, 4605. Students in the Creative Writing Concentration must take either ENGL 4599, 4604 or 4605. Students in the Professional Writing Concentration must take either ENGL 3604 or 4602. (See Note 2.)

2. Concentration (12 hours)

a. African American Literature: 12 semester hours including ENGL 3325, 3326, 4372, and 4373.

b. Creative Writing Concentration: 12 semester hours including ENGL 3606 and 3607; either 6 hours in ENGL 4600, 6 hours in ENGL 4601, or 6 hours in ENGL 4603.

c. English As A Second Language Concentration: Choose 12 hours from ENGL 4101-4109 (only in ESL), 4530, 4531, 4532, 4533. With approval of advisor, a maximum of 6 hours in Language and Linguistics courses may be substituted for ESL courses.

d. Language and Linguistics Concentration: Choose 12 hours from ENGL 3501, 3511, 3521, 4501-4521, 4540-4550.

e. Literature Concentration: Choose 12 hours from ENGL 3100-3119 (only in literature), 3211-3215, 3221-3224, 3325-3401, 3404, 3701, 4001 (only in literature), 4230-4472, 4711. At least 6 of these hours must be in 4000-level courses. No more than 3 hours of ENGL 3325, 3326, 4372, and 4373 may be applied to the Literature concentration.

f. Professional Writing Concentration: Choose 12 hours including ENGL 3601, 3602, one course from 4618 or 4619, and one course from 4101-09 (only in professional writing), 4602, 4606-4615, 4616, 4618, 4619, 4630.

3. Electives: 3 hours of upper division ENGL courses.

Note the following:

(1) Students should see the English advisor who will explain the advantages of the various concentrations and assist students in developing an appropriate program of studies.

(2) Courses taken to satisfy the core requirements may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements.

(3) No more than a total of six (6) hours in ENGL 3100-09, ENGL 4101-09, and 3 hours in ENGL 4900 may be applied to the English major.

(4) Students who wish to satisfy the requirements for both the English major and the endorsement to teach English in high school should consult the College of Education for licensure requirements.

(5) ENGL 3500 and 3603 may not be used to satisfy any requirement for the English major.

(6) ENGL 4900 and 4996 may not be used to satisfy required hours in any concentration.

D. Electives

Electives may be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

E. Honors Program

Honors sections of the required English courses on the freshman and sophomore levels (ENGL 1010, 1020, 2201, 2202) are offered through the University Honors program and are open to qualified students regardless of their major. On the junior and senior level, the Department of English offers an honors track open only to English majors, who are eligible to apply for admission to the program if they have a grade point average of 3.25 in their overall studies and in English. Honors students take special courses during their junior and senior years and write a senior honors thesis. Those students who complete the program and the regular college requirements will be recognized at the commencement ceremony by having their degree conferred “With Honors in English.” Moreover, the student’s diploma and the record at the University of Memphis will reflect this distinction. Details of the program are available at the English Department office.

English Minor

Completion of 12 upper division hours in English (excluding ENGL 3500 and 3603).

Typical 4-Year English Sequence

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement