Courses in English improve the reading, writing, and analytical skills of students, offer insight into the structure of the English language, explore film as an art form and develop an appreciation for great literature.  As such, an English major is excellent preparation for the graduate study of literature and communication, for medical school, law school, and secondary education. It opens the way to many positions in government and private industry, including editing, technical writing, advertising, public relations, communication, sales, marketing, personnel management, systems engineering and programming.  Within the major, in order to provide a firm foundation for more advance study later, students take three broad-range survey courses, preferably early in the program.  Additionally, in order to acquire range and balance, majors take one course in the English language, chosen from Linguistics or Grammar. English majors are also advised to take a varied selection from other English courses, including period surveys, literary genres, film, major figures, and writing courses.    

Because of the wide diversity of offerings and the expectation that English majors should improve their intellectual background and flexibility, students are encouraged to broaden their experience with additional courses beyond the minimum required for the major.  

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS


English majors must complete a minimum of eleven(11) ENGL courses numbered above 199, of which at least five(5) of these courses must be on the 300 and 400 level, totaling the following 33 ENGL credit hours:  

Code Course  Credit 
ENGL 202  The American Literary Experience  3
ENGL 204 The British Literary Experience I  3
ENGL 206  The British Literary Experience II  3
ENGL 400​ Linguistics​  3​
  or ENGL 402​   English Grammar​ ​
ENGL 302WI​ Writing: Exposition​  3​
 or ENGL 304WI​   Writing Argumentation​ ​
ENGL xxxWI  2nd ENGL Writing-intensive course required for major  3
ENGL 3xx/4xx​ Additional six (6) credit hours of English courses  ​  6​
​ ​at the 300-400 level ​
ENGL xxx​ Additional nine (9) credit hours of English courses​  9​
​ at the 200-level or above​ ​
 
                                                                                    Subtotal:

33

AND:​ ​ ​
XX xxx​ ​Any speech-intensive(SI) course ​3
​                                                                                       Subtotal:​ ​3
​                                                                                             ​Total: 36​

 

 ENGLISH MAJOR Important Notes:  

  • The English major is offered both as a Bachelor of Arts degree and as a Bachelor of Science degree.  English majors who chose to pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree (including those students matriculating to JU with the Associate of Arts degree) must satisfy the University Core Curriculum Global Studies requirement by completing a foreign language through the 202 level.
  • Course ENGL 103 is a prerequisite for all English courses numbered above 199. Course ENGL 203 can count as elective credit within the major.
  • AP Credits: Students who earn a 3 on either the AP Language and Composition or the AP Literature and Language exams are placed into ENGL 103 Honors.  Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Language and Composition exam will earn credit for ENGL 103 and be placed into ENGL 203 Honors.  Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Literature and Language exam are awarded 3 hours of English elective credit and are placed into ENGL 103 Honors.  No student may exempt ENGL 203.
  • Students planning to teach in the public schools must take the following courses:
      • ENGL 203  World Literature
      • ENGL 304WI Writing: Argumentation 
      • ENGL 400  Linguistics 
          or ENGL 402 Development & Grammar of the English Language 
      • ENGL 432  Literature & Composition 

    •   

    MINOR REQUIREMENTS


    There are two (2) minors in English - English and Writing. 

    English Minor
    English minors are required to take 15 credit hours in ENGL courses numbered above 199.

     

    Writing Minor

    A writing minor of 15 credit hours is offered for students who seek a career in creative writing or communication, or who are pursuing professional goals that require the ability to analyze what they read and to communicate clearly and effectively.

    Writing minors are required to take the following courses: 

    Code Course Credit
    ENGL 302WI Writing: Exposition  3
    ENGL 304WI Writing: Argumentation  3
     
                                                                                      Subtotal:
    		  6

    AND at least three(3) additional courses chosen from the following: 

    Code Course Credit
    COMM 207WI Newswriting  
    COMM 307WI Advanced Reporting   
    ENGL 306WI Creative Writing  
    ENGL 400 Linguistics  
    ENGL 402 English Grammar  
    ENGL 406WI Advanced Creative Writing  
                                                                                       Subtotal:  9
     
                                                                                            Total:
    		  15

     

     

    ENGLISH EDUCATION - SECONDARY LEVEL


    Students who plan to teach English on the secondary level should complete the education minor in consultation with the School of Education early in their academic careers to determine the specific requirements.​