English Majors

Course Requirements for English Majors

The Department of English offers an undergraduate major that allows students to choose one of two concentrations: literature or writing.  These concentrations share a common core of courses that provides all English majors with a coherent foundation for advanced study.  Students in either concentration then select specialized courses that complement this core as well as develop individual interests.

To graduate, all English majors must earn a minimum of 120 credits appropriately distributed:

I. General Education requirements (33-38 credits) which all University students must fulfill;

II. English Department requirements (maximum 45 credits); and

III. Requirements which you must fulfill as a student in the College of Arts and Sciences. At least 75 credits must be for courses taken outside of the English Department. Students who complete double majors must present 48 credits outside the two concentrations.

Literature Concentration

In the Literature Concentration, students focus on the study of classic and contemporary works of English and American literature.  They also explore linguistics, classical literature, and critical methods.  Students in this concentration strengthen their analytical and critical skills while enhancing their understanding of and appreciation for literary history and aesthetics.

Graduates pursue careers in a variety of fields that draw upon liberal arts training, including law, library science, and business. They are also well prepared for master's programs in literature and language or graduate study leading to teacher certification. Those who know teaching is of interest may wish to explore UMass Lowell's Fast Track to Teaching Program. This option allows students to complete the bachelor's and master's degrees in a total of five years.

English Department requirements for Literature Majors
(maximum 45 credits, not counting College Writing I and II)

A minimum of 36 credits appropriately distributed in English Department courses with a grade point average of 2.2 and above is required to graduate.  The Literature Concentration requires the following courses:

• 42.200 Critical Methods of Literary Inquiry (for students entering September 2005 and beyond)
• 42.201  Great Books of Antiquity
• 42.291  History of English Literature I
• 42.292  History of English Literature II
• 42.294  History of American Literature I
• 42.295  History of American Literature II

One of the following:      

• 42.307  History and Development of the English Language    
• 42.308  Analysis of Modern English
• 42.315  Old English Language and Literature
• 42.316  American Dialects 
  
  and
  
  
•  42.423 Shakespeare I OR 42.424 Shakespeare II

Please see the undergraduate catalog for course descriptions.  If you are a Literature Concentrator, you must complete four additional courses at the 300 level or above. 

Not counting required courses such as the surveys of American and English Literature, you may not take more than two courses at the 200 level. 

For a complete course of study, go to: Literature Concentration Curriculum Checksheet (pdf).
 
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Writing Concentration

Students in the writing concentration learn to compose and edit a variety of informational, instructional, and promotional materials. The program offers courses in journalism and creative writing as well as technical and professional writing.  Students take courses in literature and linguistics to create a foundation for their specialized courses in writing.  Students also select a minor field of study to complement the concentration.
  
Students who select the Writing Concentration also serve a part-time writing internship with a business or organization in the Lowell area. The writing practicum is supervised by the department chair and a representative from the practicum site; it is usually completed during the senior year of study.
English Department requirements for Writing Majors
(maximum 45 credits, not counting College Writing I and II)

In the Writing Concentration, you need a minimum of 36 credits appropriately distributed in English Department courses with a 2.2 grade point average for all courses to graduate. The Writing Concentration requires the following distribution of courses:

• 42.201 Great Books of Antiquity     
• 42.291  History of English Literature I
• 42.292  History of English Literature II
• 42.294  History of American Literature I
• 42.295 History of American Literature II

One of the following:

• 42.307  History and Development of the English Language    
• 42.308  Analysis of Modern English
• 42.315  Old English Language and Literature
• 42.316  American Dialects 
  
  and  
         
• 42.423  Shakespeare I   OR   42.424  Shakespeare II   

In addition to the above courses,you must take 

• 42.227  Essay Writing for English Majors

You must complete 42.227, "Essay Writing for English Majors," before taking any writing courses at the 300 or 400 level.

A Capstone course: 42.406 Writing in the Community, 42.496  Practicum,  or a fourth 300 or 400 level writing course

To complete your major, you must select at least three 300-level writing courses.

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