The BA in English is a versatile major with thirteen specialized concentrations that are designed to meet students' individual interests and career objectives. English majors can pursue honors in the major, a special option in comparative literature (see below), and a program in conjunction with the College of Education and Human Development that allows them to complete at the same time their BA in English and their licensure requirements to teach English at the secondary school level in Virginia.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2013-2014)

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees, including university general educationrequirements. Students pursuing a BA in English must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Students pursuing a BA in English must complete 30 credits (nine courses) in English beyond ENGH 302 with a minimum GPA of 2.00.  Students majoring in English are required to complete at least 6 credits at the 400 level.

300-level courses teach the foundational principles for a field of study, include courses of broad scope, and provide an introduction to a genre, literary period, or methodology.

400-level courses provide an in-depth approach to a field of study, a single genre, literary period, or methodology.  They include special topics classes and English honors classes.  Some 400 level courses require ENGH 305 as a prerequisite.

Students choose either one of 13  concentrations or an emphasis in comparative literature (see below).

Students should consult with an English Department advisor to learn ways in which the university-wide general education requirements can also satisfy college-level requirements for the English major.

BA in English with a Concentration

One required course (6 credits)

ENGH 305 - Dimensions of Writing and Literature - Credits: 6

Four core courses (12 credits)

Courses taken to fulfill these requirements may simultaneously satisfy a concentration. Special topics courses, when relevant, may be used to fulfill these requirements with the prior written approval of the department.

One course (3 credits) in literature before 1800 chosen from:

ENGH 320 - Literature of the Middle Ages - Credits: 3
ENGH 321 - English Poetry and Prose of the 16th Century - Credits: 3
ENGH 322 - Shakespeare - Credits: 3
ENGH 323 - Shakespeare - Credits: 3
ENGH 324 - English Renaissance Drama - Credits: 3
ENGH 325 - English Poetry and Prose of the 17th Century - Credits: 3
ENGH 330 - Augustan Age: 1660-1745 - Credits: 3
ENGH 331 - Age of Sensibility: 1745-1800 - Credits: 3
ENGH 332 - Restoration and 18th Century Drama - Credits: 3
ENGH 333 - British Novel of the 18th Century - Credits: 3
ENGH 421 - Medieval Literature in Context - Credits: 3
ENGH 422 - Chaucer - Credits: 3
ENGH 424 - Spenser - Credits: 3
ENGH 428 - Milton - Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in literature before 1915 chosen from courses listed above and the following:

ENGH 334 - British Poetry of the Romantic Period - Credits: 3
ENGH 335 - Prose and Poetry of the Victorian Period - Credits: 3
ENGH 336 - British Novel of the 19th Century - Credits: 3
ENGH 340 - Early American Literature - Credits: 3
ENGH 341 - Literature of the American Renaissance - Credits: 3
ENGH 343 - Development of the American Novel to 1914 - Credits: 3
ENGH 348 - Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 - Credits: 3
ENGH 349 - African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 - Credits: 3
ENGH 360 - Continental Fiction, 1770-1880 - Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in minority, folkloric, or popular literary and cultural traditions chosen from:

ENGH 310 - Topics: Women and Literature - Credits: 3
ENGH 315 - Folklore and Folklife - Credits: 3
ENGH 319 - Popular Culture - Credits: 3
ENGH 348 - Beginnings of African American Literature Through 1865 - Credits: 3
ENGH 349 - African American Literature: Reconstruction to 1903 - Credits: 3
ENGH 350 - African American Literature Through 1946 - Credits: 3
ENGH 351 - Contemporary African American Literature - Credits: 3
ENGH 352 - Topics in Ethnic American Literature - Credits: 3
ENGH 362 - Global Voices - Credits: 3
ENGH 366 - The Idea of a World Literature - Credits: 3
ENGH 367 - World Literatures in English - Credits: 3
ENGH 412 - Topics in Folklore Studies - Credits: 3
ENGH 414 - Folklore of the Spirit World - Credits: 3
ENGH 415 - Folk Arts and Folk Artists - Credits: 3
ENGH 416 - Ethnicity and Migration in Folklore - Credits: 3
ENGH 419 - Topics in Popular Literature - Credits: 3
ENGH 451 - Science Fiction - Credits: 3
ENGH 452 - Critical Study of Children's Literature - Credits: 3

One elective course (3 credits) above ENGH 302

Four courses (12 credits) in a concentration chosen from the list to the right.

BA in English with a Comparative Literature Emphasis

The English Department and the Modern and Classical Languages Department offer a BA in English with an emphasis in comparative literature. This program combines the study of literature in English with the study of one or more foreign literatures and with cross-cultural literary study. It requires 10 courses above ENGH 302.  Students should consult with their advisor to design a program of study that best suits their particular interests and goals.

Two required courses (6 credits):

CL 300 - Introduction to Comparative Literature - Credits: 3
CL 514 - Theories of Comparative Literature - Credits: 3

One course (3 credits) in literary criticism, as appropriate for the student's focus:

ENGH 305 - Dimensions of Writing and Literature - Credits: 6
FREN 381 - Introduction to Literary Analysis - Credits: 3

Two courses (6 credits) in English or American literature

Two courses (6 credits) in literature other than English or American
Students meet this requirement with courses in a literature other than English or American, either in translation or, for those pursuing foreign language study, with selected readings in the original language.

Three courses (9 credits) in comparative or world literature
Comparative or world literature courses are designated by the comparative literature committee and generally selected in consultation with the advisor every semester. Examples are:

Various 300-level CLAS courses
FRLN 330 courses
Special topics courses, when relevant, in ENGH, FREN, GERM, RUSS, SPAN, or other language
ENGH 360 - Continental Fiction, 1770-1880 - Credits: 3
ENGH 361 - Continental Fiction, 1880-1950 - Credits: 3
ENGH 366 - The Idea of a World Literature - Credits: 3
ENGH 367 - World Literatures in English - Credits: 3
ENGH 421 - Medieval Literature in Context - Credits: 3

Total: 30 Credits

Writing Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in English fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ENGH 305. Students doing the comparative literature emphasis who do not take ENGH 305 will have to meet the synthesis requirement with another non-English course.

Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.