English Major

General Information

English majors at Western New England University learn to write and speak effectively as they develop awareness of the ethical, moral, cultural, historical, and social issues that are embedded in both traditional and underrepresented literatures. They graduate prepared to enter a variety of academic, educational, corporate, or government settings. Furthermore, as they analyze texts and develop skills in reasoning, conducting research, and formulating clear arguments, they broaden their perspectives, increase their intellectual curiosity and aesthetic appreciation, and identify themselves as active, lifetime learners.

Career Opportunities

Because English majors graduate with writing, speaking, and analytical skills that have been developed through four years, they are highly desirable job applicants in a number of areas. Our graduates have been successfully employed in primary and secondary schools, in writing-centered professions, and in a variety of business settings. Some have continued their studies in English or communications, completing master’s and doctoral degrees. Law schools look for English majors because they want students who have learned how to think critically, articulate their ideas clearly, and summarize complex issues succinctly. English is a perfect major for those hoping to complete the University’s 3+3 Law program (which enables students to complete both undergraduate and law degrees in six years). A number of our majors have received law degrees and are now practicing that profession.

Writing skills can lead directly to employment in a number of other fields, including journalism, public relations, and technical writing. Many newspaper and magazine editors say they look for English majors because they have been taught how to write for various audiences. Many companies are hiring English majors for technical writing jobs because English majors are taught how to translate ideas and instructions into language that a general audience can understand. Grant writers are needed in all areas: for academic research, political foundations, and corporate development. The English degree can create significant opportunities in the world of professional writing when coupled with an internship or two.

Additionally, many businesses seek to hire English majors for entry-level positions because they are capable learners who have highly developed analytic skills, broad backgrounds, and excellent communication skills.

Program Objectives

The English faculty engage students in learning experiences structured to help them develop the following:

· Ability to demonstrate understanding of literary works representing a wide diversity of cultural and historical perspectives, including historically underrepresented populations.

· Ability to critically analyze and interpret a variety of cultural texts.

· Ability to produce clear, well-argued, nuanced academic writing.

· Ability to present research and interpretation in a variety of settings and forms, including written and or oral presentation.

Degree Requirements

The following classes are required for all English Majors:

ENGL 2xx/3xx	Three Literary Period courses, one before 1900	9 cr.
ENGL 302	Approaches to the Study of Literature	3 cr.
ENGL 314	Shakespeare: Plays and Poems	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 315	Shakespeare: The Tragedies	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 316	Shakespeare: The Comedies and Histories	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 338/411	Major Authors	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 345	Major African American Writers	3 cr.
ENGL XXX	Historically Underrepresented Literature	3 cr.
ENGL XXX	Any upper division writing course	3 cr.
FILM XXX	Film Elective	3 cr.
ENGL 2xx/3xx	English-Elective	3 cr.
ENGL 3XX	English Elective	3 cr.
ENGL 3XX	English Elective	3 cr.
ENGL 3XX	English Elective	3 cr.
ENGL 410	English Seminar	3 cr.
ENGL 480	Internship in English	3 cr.

Subtotal: 42

* Literary period courses: ENGL 231, ENGL 232, ENGL 251, ENGL 252, ENGL 322, ENGL 327, ENGL 328, ENGL 329, ENGL 353, and ENGL 357: Pre-1900 courses, ENGL 231, ENGL 251, ENGL 322, ENGL 327 and ENGL 328.

** Historically underrepresented literature courses: ENGL 223, ENGL 224, ENGL 336, ENGL 341, ENGL 343, and ENGL 345

*** Upper division writing courses: ENGL 270, ENGL 351, ENGL 352, ENGL 354, ENGL 370 and ENGL 371.

Total Credit Hours: 42

English Suggested Sequence of Courses

Freshman Year - Fall Semester

ENGL 132	English Composition I	3 cr.
LA 110	First Year Seminar Arts & Sciences	3 cr.
MATH 1XX	Mathematical Analysis	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
CS 13X	Computer Competence	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15

Freshman Year - Spring Semester

ENGL 133	English Composition II	3 cr.
MATH 1XX	Mathematical Analysis	3 cr.
PH XXX	Ethical Perspective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
HIST XXX	Historical Perspective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15

Sophomore Year - Fall Semester

ENGL XXX	Two literary period courses	6 cr.
SBP XXX	Social Science Perspective	3 cr.
ART XXX	Aesthetic Perspective	3 cr.
LAB XXX	Laboratory Science Requirement	3-4 cr.

Subtotal: 15-16

Sophomore Year - Spring Semester

ENGL XXX	Literary Period course	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
CUL XXX	Global Cultures Perspective	3 cr.
FILM XXX	Film Elective	3 cr.
LAB/NSP XXX	Laboratory Science or Natural Science Perspective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15

Junior Year - Fall Semester

ENGL 302	Approaches to the Study of Literature	3 cr.
ENGL XXX	Historically Underrepresented Literature	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
ENGL 2xx/3xx	English-Elective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15

Junior Year - Spring Semester

ENGL XXX	Any upper division writing course	3 cr.
ENGL 314	Shakespeare: Plays and Poems	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 315	Shakespeare: The Tragedies	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 316	Shakespeare: The Comedies and Histories	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 338/411	Major Authors	3 cr.
	or
ENGL 345	Major African American Writers	3 cr.
ENGL 3XX	English Elective	3 cr.
ENGL 480	Internship in English	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15

Senior Year - Fall Semester

ENGL 3XX	English Elective	3 cr.
GEN 3XX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN 3XX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15

Senior Year - Spring Semester

ENGL 410	English Seminar	3 cr.
ENGL 3XX	English Elective	3 cr.
GEN 3XX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN XXX	General Elective	3 cr.
GEN 3XX	General Elective	3 cr.

Subtotal: 15

Total Credit Hours: 120-121

Courses taken to complete the major fulfill the A & S Writing Intensive Requirement.

ENGL.BA - BA in English

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