Prerequisites (State Mandated Common Prerequisites)

Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete the A.A. degree at the community college. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education Requirements, thereby transferring maximum hours to the university. If students transfer without an A.A. degree and have fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the students must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements, including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements.

The transfer student should also be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university.

Students should complete the following prerequisite courses listed below at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of “C” is the minimum acceptable grade.

• ENC 1101 Composition I
• ENC 1102 Composition II
  or
  Six semester hours earned in courses taught in the English Department, each with 6,000 words of evaluated writing for a total of 12,000 words.

  Suggested electives:

• AMH 2010 American History I (3)
• AMH 2020 American History II (3)
• EUH 2021 Medieval History I (3)
• EUH 2022 Medieval History II (3)

Upper-level coursework in the English Major:

The program in English provides three areas of specialization (divided into three degree-options below):

English and American literature - The primary mission of the literature option is to provide a solid foundation in the study of British and American literature. The program also offers courses in other world literatures in translation, cultural studies, feminist and ethnic studies, and both traditional and more recent critical approaches.  

Creative writing - The creative writing option includes training in writing fiction and poetry and study of English and American literature.

Professional and technical writing - The professional and technical writing option combines the study of English and American literature with an introduction to writing found in the professional workplace.

The English Education major is described under the section for the College of Education. Major requirements for English majors are listed below. A grade of "D" will not be counted toward fulfilling the major requirements. Grades of "D" or "F" in English courses will, however, be used in calculating the major GPA unless the course is retaken under the grade forgiveness policy. Students may not use more than one Directed Study toward meeting the major requirements. Transfer students must earn at least 15 hours in the major at USF. A 2.5 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

OPTION I: English and American Literature
Twelve courses (36 hours) as follows:

1. Two of the following:
   AML 3031 American Literature to 1860
   AML 3032 American Literature 1860-1912
   AML 3051 American Literature 1912-1945

2. Four of the following:
   ENL 3015 British Literature to 1616
   ENL 3230 British Literature 1616-1780
   ENL 3251 British Literature 1780-1900
   ENL 3273 British Literature 1900-1945
   ENL 3331 Early Shakespeare or
   ENL 3332 Late Shakespeare

3. Five of the following, at least two of which must be from Group A:

   Group A
   AML 4111 19th Century American Novel
   AML 4121 20th Century American Novel
   ENL 4122 British Novel through Hardy
   ENL 4132 British Novel: Conrad to the present
   ENL 4311 Chaucer
   ENL 4338 Advanced Studies in Shakespeare
   ENL 4341 Milton
   LIT 3101 Literature of the Western World Through the Renaissance
   LIT 3102 Literature of the Western World Since the Renaissance

   Group B
   AML 3031 American Literature to 1860
   AML 3032 American Literature 1860-1912
   AML 3051 American Literature 1912-1945
   AML 3604 African-American Literature
   AML 4261 Literature of the South
   AML 4330 Selected American Authors
   ENG 4060 History of the English Language
   ENL 3015 British Literature to 1616
   ENL 3230 British Literature 1616-1780
   ENL 3251 British Literature 1780-1900
   ENL 3273 British Literature 1900-1945
   ENL 3331 Early Shakespeare
   ENL 3332 Late Shakespeare
   ENL 4303 Selected British Authors
   LIN 4671 Traditional English Grammar
   LIN 4680 Structure of American English
   LIT 3022 Modern Short Novel
   LIT 3043 Modern Drama
   LIT 3073 Contemporary Literature
   LIT 3144 Modern European Novel
   LIT 3374 Bible as Literature
   LIT 3410 Religious and Existential Themes
   LIT 3700 Survey of Poetry
   LIT 4930 Selected Topics in English Studies

4. ENG 4013 Literary Criticism (Required for Literature majors)

OPTION II: Creative Writing

This option is designed for aspiring writers of fiction or poetry. In addition to giving credit for writing through a variety of course offerings, it provides information about procedures for publishing.

1. Writing Requirements
   CRW 3111 Form & Technique of Fiction
   or
   CRW 2100 Narration & Description
   CRW 3311 Form & Technique of Poetry

   Any three of the following:
   CRW 3112 Fiction I
   CRW 3121 Fiction II
   CRW 3312 Poetry I
   CRW 3321 Poetry II
   CRW 4120 Fiction III
   CRW 4320 Poetry III
   CRW 4930 Selected Topics in Creative Writing

   Note: CRW 2100 or CRW 3111must be taken before any other courses in the Fiction series, and CRW 3311 must be taken before any other courses in the Poetry series.

2. Literature Requirements

   The student must select seven literature courses from those listed in OPTION I. Two courses must be from Group 1, two courses from Group 2, and three courses from Group 3 and/or Group 4.

OPTION III: Professional and Technical Writing

This 36-hour program allows undergraduates to concentrate their studies in professional writing, wherein they will master special writing skills demanded by industry, business, government, and the professions. The English Department may arrange semester-long internships with local businesses, industries, and professional organizations. Interns will earn three credit hours and, in some cases, receive compensation from their employers for their duties.

Students choosing this concentration will also assure themselves of a core of liberal arts studies since they must take 21 credit hours of literature courses in addition to 15 hours of composition courses.

1. Composition requirements:

   Five of the following:
   CRW 2100 Narration and Description
   ENC 2210 Technical Writing
   ENC 3213 Professional Writing
   ENC 3310 Expository Writing
   ENC 4260 Advanced Technical Writing
   ENC 4311 Advanced Composition
   ENC 4931 Selected Topics in Professional and Technical Writing

2. Literature requirements:

   The student must select seven literature courses from those listed in OPTION I. Two courses must be from Group 1, four courses from Group 2, and one course from Group 3 and/or Group 4.

Requirements for the Minor in English

English and American Literature Minor (15 hours)

1. One of the following:
   AML 3031 American Literature to 1860
   AML 3032 American Literature 1860-1912
   AML 3051 American Literature 1912-1945

2. Two of the following:
   ENL 3015 British Literature to 1616
   ENL 3230 British Literature 1616-1780
   ENL 3251 British Literature 1780-1900
   ENL 3273 British Literature 1900-1945
   ENL 3331 Early Shakespeare
   ENL 3332 Late Shakespeare

3. One course at the 4000 level listed in major OPTION I

4. One additional 3000- or 4000-level course with AML, CRW, ENC, ENG, ENL, LIN, or LIT prefix.

Creative Writing Minor (15 hours)

1. CRW 3111 Form & Technique of Fiction
   or
   CRW 2100 Narration & Description
   CRW 3311 Form & Technique of Poetry

   Any two of the following:
   CRW 3112 Fiction I
   CRW 3121 Fiction II
   CRW 3312 Poetry I
   CRW 3321 Poetry II
   CRW 4120 Fiction III
   CRW 4320 Poetry III
   CRW 4930 Selected Topics in Creative Writing

2. One AML or ENL course listed in OPTION I.

Professional and Technical Writing Minor (15 hours)

1. ENC 2210 Technical Writing
   ENC 4260 Advanced Technical Writing

   Any two of the following courses:
   CRW 2100 Narration & Description
   ENC 3213 Professional Writing
   ENC 3310 Expository Writing
   ENC 4311 Advanced Composition
   ENC 4931 Selected Topics in Professional and Technical Writing

2. One AML or ENL course listed in OPTION I

English Honors program

The Department of English Honors Program will provide a carefully selected group of seniors with opportunities for advanced scholarship:

1. Closer contact with faculty tutors than students in the regular major program;
2. An opportunity to work and exchange ideas in the stimulating environment of a small group of fellow students with similar aims and abilities;
3. An opportunity to develop individual initiative and sophisticated critical skills.

The English Honors Program will benefit those interested in graduate work, advanced professional study, or greater intellectual challenges.

Admissions Criteria

Students may apply for the program after completing 80 hours of course work (90 before actual admission). Applicants should have a GPA of 3.3 in the major and an overall GPA of 3.0 and should submit signatures of recommendation from two English faculty supporting their applications.

After screening all applications, the department's Honors Committee will interview all eligible applicants before selecting participants in each year's program.

Requirements for Completion of Departmental Honors

1. The Honors student will complete the requirements of his/her chosen English major as described in the current catalog.
2. In addition to the requirements of the major, the student will take two (three-hour) Honors seminars during the first semester of his/her senior year. Both courses should help the student in selecting a topic for his/her Honors thesis.
3. During the second semester of the senior year, the Honors student will enroll for three thesis hours. The instructors of the first semester's seminars will serve as instructors of record for the thesis hours and as readers of all Honors theses. The student will choose a member of the faculty to serve as the third reader of his/her thesis. The student must satisfy the following requirements:
   1. Complete both Honors seminars with a 3.3 GPA;
   2. Complete all remaining major requirements with a 3.3 GPA and remaining academic course work with an overall GPA of 3.0 in both areas;
   3. Submit an acceptable thesis to the Departmental Honors committee.
4. The student who completes all requirements above will graduate with Honors in English. The credit hours completed within the program by the student who does not complete all Honors requirements will, of course, count toward the baccalaureate degree.

The Honors Committee will disqualify any student from the program who does not complete the Honors seminars with at least a 3.3 GPA.

Honors students failing to complete a thesis within two years after acceptance into the program will be notified by the Honors Committee of their dismissal from the program.