English (B.A.)
Building upon the cultural diversity and urban experience that distinguishes Wayne State University, the English Department's mission is to provide its students with the intellectual knowledge and practical tools to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world, by teaching them to understand the power and influence of literature and other forms of textual and media production, circulation, and interpretation; and by imparting skill and fluency in close reading, critical thinking, rhetorical analysis, and writing in multiple genres. The English major curriculum is designed to introduce students to these skills and to provide a challenging and flexible liberal arts education as well as a pre-professional program for students interested in careers in education, law, business, and other professions.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for this program are satisfied by the general requirements for undergraduate admission to the University.
Program Requirements
Candidates must complete 120 credits in course work including satisfaction of the University General Education Requirements and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements, as well as the departmental major requirements cited below. All course work must be completed in accordance with the regulations of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
Major Requirements
Students must complete twelve English courses beyond the University General Education Competency Requirement and Liberal Arts and Sciences Group Requirements. Ten of these courses must be beyond the 2000-level. Specific requirements are as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Survey courses | ||
| Select one from each category (early and late) | 6 | |
| Early (choose one) | ||
| English Literature to 1700 | ||
| American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Rhetoric to 1800 | ||
| Late (choose one) | ||
| English Literature after 1700 | ||
| American Literature after 1865 | ||
| Rhetoric after 1800 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature | ||
| Theories and Methods | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Studies | ||
| Introduction to Literary Studies | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Communities and Cultures | ||
| Select one upper-division course with an emphasis on cultural diversity: | 3 | |
| Topics in Women's Studies | ||
| Seminar in Gender and Sexuality Studies | ||
| Identity and Difference in Media | ||
| Topics in New Media | ||
| Topics in Global and Transnational Studies | ||
| Topics in African American Literature | ||
| Topics in English and American Literature | ||
| Topics in Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Topics in Creative Writing | ||
| Senior Seminar | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar | ||
| Additional Requirements | 18 | |
| Select six additional courses in English 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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Four of these courses must be at the 4000 or 5000 level. No English course below the 2000-level may count toward the English B.A. program.
Combined Curriculum for Secondary Teaching
An English major who wishes to prepare for a career in secondary school teaching can earn a bachelor's degree in English with a secondary teaching certificate. In close consultation with Department of English and College of Education advisors, the student will develop a plan of work that satisfies the requirements of the English B.A. program and includes the subject area and professional courses required for teacher certification.
Note: Students seeking Elementary Education Certification with a Language Arts Group Major should consult with an advisor in the School of Education.
English Honors (B.A. Program)
To graduate with honors in English an undergraduate student must have a minimum 3.5 g.p.a. in English courses and a minimum cumulative g.p.a of 3.3. Additional requirements include a minimum of thirty-six credits in English courses beyond the Liberal Arts and Sciences Group requirements and General Education requirements, three courses of which must be in Honors. Students must also complete at least one 4200-level interdepartmental Honors Seminar,HON 4200-HON 4280, to total four courses in Honors.
Required English Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Survey courses | ||
| Select one from each category (early and late): | 6 | |
| Early | ||
| English Literature to 1700 | ||
| American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Rhetoric to 1800 | ||
| Late | ||
| English Literature after 1700 | ||
| American Literature after 1865 | ||
| Rhetoric after 1800 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature | ||
| Theories and Methods | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Studies | ||
| Introduction to Literary Studies | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Communities and Cultures | ||
| Select one upper-division course with an emphasis in cultural diversity: | 3-4 | |
| Topics in Women's Studies | ||
| Seminar in Gender and Sexuality Studies | ||
| Identity and Difference in Media | ||
| Topics in New Media | ||
| Topics in Global and Transnational Studies | ||
| Topics in African American Literature | ||
| Topics in English and American Literature | ||
| Topics in Rhetoric and Writing | ||
| Topics in Creative Writing | ||
| Other Requirements | ||
| Select at least six additional courses in English 1 | 18 | |
| Honors Seminar | ||
| ENG 4991 | Honors Seminar (Max. 6) | 3 |
| Honors-Option | ||
| One 5000-level course in the English Honors curriculum must be taken with an Honors Option. This Honors Option will be applied to a 5000-level course either in the Communities and Cultures Requirement or in the Elective Requirements in the major. 2 | 1-3 | |
| Total Credits | 37-40 | |
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Four of these courses must be at the 4000 or 5000 level and include ENG 4992 (Honors Project, Cr. 3 (Max. 6)). The Honors Project should be twenty to thirty pages long. Students pursuing both Department and University Honors may use the Departmental project (ENG 4992) to fulfill the University Honors thesis requirement. No English course below the 2000-level may count toward the English B.A. program.
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Candidates for Honors in English will arrange for an Honors-option by contracting with any professor teaching a 5000-level course to do honors-level work in that course, beyond the standard requirements set forth in the syllabus. Supplementary work required for the Honors-option might consist of an extra paper, a significantly longer term paper, evidence of additional readings (for example, through journal entries), an oral or written report, or a special examination.
Students who wish to become candidates for degrees with honors in English are encouraged to consult early with the Undergraduate Advisor of the English Department (313-577-7701).
‘AGRADE’ Program (Accelerated Graduate Enrollment)
The English Department invites academically superior majors to apply for admission to the 'AGRADE' Program, which allows qualified seniors to enroll simultaneously in the undergraduate and graduate programs of the Department. Applications will be accepted no earlier than the semester in which ninety credits are completed. Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 3.5 and not less than a 3.6 g.p.a in the major courses already completed. A Plan of Work is required, and credit restrictions apply. Please see the departmental Undergraduate Advisor for more detail.