English, Literature Concentration, B.A.

Requirements For All English Majors

A minimum of 45 credits is required within the English major.
Completion of at least two college semesters of one foreign language is required, unless during high school the student has (a) completed three years of study of one foreign language, or (b) completed two years of study in each of two foreign languages. A student may also satisfy the foreign language requirement by passing a proficiency examination designed nationally and administered locally.
Students who transfer into the English major from other institutions must complete 21 credit hours in English at Westfield State University.

Students may satisfy three of the required six credits in the Literary and Philosophical analysis area of the core with any of the courses on the following list. English Education students may satisfy all 6 of the required Literary and Philosophical analysis credits with courses from this list.

ENGL 0112 - Black American Stories Credits: 3
ENGL 0115 - Indigenous American Stories Credits: 3
ENGL 0117 - Asian American Literature and Culture Credits: 3
ENGL 0210 - British Literature to 1780 Credits: 3
ENGL 0212 - Exploring British Literature Since 1780 Credits: 3
ENGL 0216 - Exploring American Literature to 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 0217 - Exploring American Literature since 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 0218 - Postcolonial Literature and Theory Credits: 3

English, Literature Concentration - 45 credits

Literary History, Genres, and Critical Approaches - 18 credits

Required course:

ENGL 0295 - Gateway to Advanced Literary Study Credits: 3

Five courses taken from the list below:

ENGL 0210 - British Literature to 1780 Credits: 3
ENGL 0212 - Exploring British Literature Since 1780 Credits: 3
ENGL 0216 - Exploring American Literature to 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 0217 - Exploring American Literature since 1865 Credits: 3
ENGL 0311 - The British Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 0317 - Shakespeare: Tragedies and Histories Credits: 3
ENGL 0318 - Shakespeare: Comedies and Romances Credits: 3
ENGL 0319 - Victorian Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0323 - The American Novel Credits: 3
ENGL 0330 - An Introduction to Modern Literary Criticism Credits: 3
ENGL 0332 - Romantic Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0339 - Literature of the Eighteenth Century Credits: 3
ENGL 0341 - Seminar in Major British and American Authors Credits: 3
ENGL 0348 - History of the English Language Credits: 3
ENGL 0364 - American Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 0365 - Dramatic Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
ENGL 0367 - Film Theory and Criticism Credits: 3
ENGL 0370 - Modern Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 0376 - Modern British and American Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 0382 - Contemporary Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 0393 - History and Development of Motion Pictures Credits: 3
ENGL 0397 - Special Topics in Literature Credits: 3
*Note: One of the courses in the Literary History, Genres, and Critical Approaches group must be in literature before 1800. Appropriate courses include ENGL 210, 317, 318, 339, 348, and possibly 397 (depending on topic and with the chair’s approval).

Diverse Literary Traditions - 9 credits

Three courses taken from the list below:

ENGL 0112 - Black American Stories Credits: 3
ENGL 0115 - Indigenous American Stories Credits: 3
ENGL 0117 - Asian American Literature and Culture Credits: 3
ENGL 0218 - Postcolonial Literature and Theory Credits: 3
ENGL 0221 - World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0312 - Queer Literatures and Theory Credits: 3
ENGL 0324 - Advanced Studies in Black American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0325 - Advanced Studies in Native American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0326 - Advanced Studies in Global Women’s Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0327 - Contemporary Cross-Cultural Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0333 - Advanced Studies in Asian American Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 0397 - Special Topics in Literature Credits: 3
*Note: At least one Diverse Literary Traditions course must be 300-level.

Writing Courses - 9 credits

Required course: ENGL 0204 Composition II: Rhetoric and Research Credits: 3

Two additional writing courses from the list below:

ENGL 0130 - Creative Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0275 - Journalism I Credits: 3
ENGL 0276 - Writing About the Arts Credits: 3
ENGL 0285 - Basics of Film Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0302 - Writing Matters: History, Theory, Technology, and Action Credits: 3
ENGL 0303 - Persuasive Communication Credits: 3
ENGL 0305 - Grant Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0331 - Special Topics in Professional Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0334 - Special Topics in Rhetoric Credits: 3
ENGL 0335 - Special Topics in Creative Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0337 - Visual Rhetoric for Publishing Professionals Credits: 3
ENGL 0241 - Creative Non-Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 0242 - Writing Fiction Credits: 3
ENGL 0346 - Writing Poetry Credits: 3
ENGL 0347 - Advanced Critical Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0361 - Advanced Poetry Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0371 - Playwriting Credits: 3
ENGL 0375 - Journalism II Credits: 3
ENGL 0377 - Feature Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0381 - Advanced Prose Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0384 - Special Topics in Journalism Credits: 3
ENGL 0385 - Screenwriting for Feature Film Credits: 3
ENGL 0388 - Special Topics in Writing Credits: 3
ENGL 0394 - News Editing Credits: 3
ENGL 0395 - Sports Writing Credits: 3

Two Elective 300-Level Courses - 6 credits

Any two courses at the 300-level with the ENGL prefix may be taken, according to availability and interest.

Capstone Experience - 3 credits

Students will complete a capstone experience in the senior year in the form of an internship, independent study, or additional 300-level course. They should submit their choice to their advisor and department chair with a rational connected to career plans.

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a general education or common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in General Education: WISE or Common Core .