Degree Pathway for English, Literature Concentration

For students who entered fall 2021 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)
3
FAHS.1090First Year Experience Seminar1
MATH.xxxxMath Perspective (MATH) - MATH.1110 (QL) recommended13
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 and Culture3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
ENGL.2810British Literary Traditions23
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 and Culture3
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3-4
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15-16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.2000Critical Methods of Literary Inquiry2 (CTPS), (IL)3
ENGL.2820American Literary Traditions23
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3-4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 and Culture /
World Ready Elective3
3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15-16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.2/3/4xxxLiterature Elective4 (DCA), (SRE)3
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective43
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 and Culture /
World Ready Elective3
3
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective43
ENGL.3xxxTheory/Composition/Language/Methods4 (AIL)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxSTEM Perspective (STEM)3
xxxx.xxxxWorld Ready Elective3 / Free Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective43
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective43
xxxx.3/4xxxFree Elective3
xxxx.3/4xxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective43
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective43
xxxx.3/4xxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.4xxxCapstone: 4000-level Literature Elective (WOC)3
xxxx.3/4xxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120

1Quantitative 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.

2These three foundations courses may be taken in any order: Critical Methods, British Literary Traditions, and American Literary Traditions. They will introduce you to essential approaches to literary study and to the literary history that will ground your further studies. We strongly encourage you to take these courses before moving on to upper-level English courses.

3World 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.

4See requirements for period electives, Theory/Composition/Language/Methods, 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 and SRE ELOs.

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 and 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.

All English majors must take at least two courses that satisfy the Diverse Literary Traditions requirement. These courses explore authors and texts through the historically under-represented perspectives of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, post-coloniality, and sexuality. Certain diversity courses may also significantly address non-western literary traditions. Courses satisfying this requirement take as their main focus literary traditions that respond to and represent voices outside the traditional canon, providing students with an opportunity to consider the complex power dynamics that influence literature and the academic field of literary study and to consider the way literary texts can engage and influence these same power dynamics. 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):

Six approved English literature electives are required (18 credits):

Students take six literature electives. One of these may be at the 2000 level (but can be 3000/4000 level). Five of the electives must be at the 3000/4000 level. Courses must also meet the literary period distribution requirements listed below (lists of approved courses for period categories may be found in the Literature AR on SIS):

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

One capstone course is required (3 credits):

The capstone will provide a culminating opportunity to complete a substantial learning project. Students should discuss their interests with their academic advisor to plan ahead for the capstone. Choose one of the following, depending on student goals and interests:

  • An Individually-Designed Research Project
    • ENGL.4xxx Literary Research and Methods Seminar
  • Experiential Learning
  • A 4000-level Literature course (including single-author studies, upper-level thematic/period study, and advanced theory/methods courses)

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.