For students who entered fall 2015 to spring 2021.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Minimum Credits = 120.

¹World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

²Three foundations courses may be taken in any order: Critical Methods, British Literary Traditions, and American Literary Traditions.

³See requirements for period electives, Theory/Composition/Language, and capstone below. Some students may satisfy the Diverse Traditions requirement with a 2000 level course and should consult with their advisors to be sure that they will also satisfy both the DCA & SRE ELOs.

⁴Quantitative Literacy (QL) is fulfilled outside the English major. The department recommends that all majors take MATH.1110 which fulfills both the Math Breadth of Knowledge requirement and the Quantitative Literacy ELO. See QL course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill this requirement.

A minimum of 36 credits, appropriately distributed, is required in English department courses. Students may not exceed the maximum of 54 credits of English department courses (not counting College Writing I & II) within the first 120 credits presented toward graduation. At least 66 credits must be earned outside of the major.

• In order to graduate, students must earn a cumulative 2.200 grade point average for all English department courses, with the exception of College Writing I and II.
• Literature concentrators must complete 24 credits of literature courses at the 3000 level or above. (This includes ENGL.4230 / ENGL.4240 Shakespeare 1 or 2, and a 4000-level literary research capstone course).
• Majors must take at least one course that fulfills the department's Diverse Literary Traditions requirement. Students should consult the AR in SiS for the department's list of approved courses.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SiS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Required Courses

Each of the following 2000 level foundation courses is required (9 credits):

• ENGL.2000 Critical Methods of Literary Inquiry
• ENGL.2810 British Literary Traditions
• ENGL.2820 American Literary Traditions

Six approved English electives are required (18 credits):

Students take six 3000/4000 level literature electives, with a minimum of one course from each category below (lists of approved courses for period categories may be found in the Literature AR on SiS):

• ENGL.3/4xxx Pre-1500
• ENGL.3/4xxx 1500-1800
• ENGL.3/4xxx Post-1800
• ENGL.3/4xxx any upper-division literature
• ENGL.3/4xxx any upper-division literature
• ENGL.3/4xxx any upper-division literature

One of the following Theory/Composition/Language courses is required (3 credits):

• ENGL.3070 History of the English Language
• ENGL.3080 Analysis of Modern English
• ENGL.3150 Old English Language and Literature
• ENGL.3770 Theories of Rhetoric and Composition
• ENGL.3880 Seminar on Teaching Writing
• ENGL.3920 Visual Rhetoric
• ENGL.4290 Introduction to Literary Theory

One of the following is required (3 credits):

• ENGL.4230 Shakespeare 1
• ENGL.4240 Shakespeare 2

One capstone course is required (3 credits):

The capstone is meant to provide a culminating activity, providing majors with an opportunity to complete a substantial research project. Students should discuss their research interests with their academic advisor to plan ahead for the capstone. Choose one of the following:

• ENGL.4010 Selected Authors
• ENGL.4910 Directed Study in Literature (must be pre-arranged with faculty approval)

Optional: An additional six English electives may be taken (0-18 credits):

Additional English courses (up to six courses within the 54 credit limit) may be taken in literature, theatre, or writing. For students contemplating graduate school in the discipline, additional 3000 or 4000 level literature courses are recommended. Students are encouraged in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year to seek an experiential learning opportunity such as the Practicum (Internship) or Community Writing 1 or 2, depending on the student's career goals and interests. Students planning a career in secondary teaching should consider the Undergraduate Seminar on the Teaching of Writing.

Note: Literature students are not required to take a minor, but they are encouraged to do so. Depending on the student's career goals and interests, several different minors may be appropriate. All students are encouraged to discuss possible minors with their academic advisors.

Last updated: 6/29/2021.