Degree Pathway for the Bachelor of Arts in English - Literature Concentration - 2021

For students who entered fall 2021 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Minimum Credits = 120

¹Quantitative Literacy (QL) is fulfilled outside the English major. The department recommends that all majors take MATH.1110 which fulfills both the Math Breadth of Knowledge requirement and the Quantitative Literacy ELO. See QL course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill this requirement.

²These three foundations courses may be taken in any order: Critical Methods, British Literary Traditions, and American Literary Traditions. They will introduce you to essential approaches to literary study and to the literary history that will ground your further studies. We strongly encourage you to take these courses before moving on to upper-level English courses.

³World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

⁴See requirements for period electives, Theory/Composition/Language/Methods, and capstone below. Some students may satisfy the Diverse Traditions requirement with a 2000 level course and should consult with their advisors to be sure that they will also satisfy both the DCA & SRE ELOs.

A minimum of 36 credits, appropriately distributed, is required in English department courses. Students may not exceed the maximum of 54 credits of English department courses (not counting College Writing I & II) within the first 120 credits presented toward graduation. At least 66 credits must be earned outside of the major.

In order to graduate, students must earn a cumulative 2.200 grade point average for all English department courses, with the exception of College Writing I and II.

All English majors must take at least two courses that satisfy the Diverse Literary Traditions requirement. These courses explore authors and texts through the historically under-represented perspectives of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, post-coloniality, and sexuality. Certain diversity courses may also significantly address non-western literary traditions. Courses satisfying this requirement take as their main focus literary traditions that respond to and represent voices outside the traditional canon, providing students with an opportunity to consider the complex power dynamics that influence literature and the academic field of literary study and to consider the way literary texts can engage and influence these same power dynamics. Students should consult the AR in SIS for the department's list of approved courses.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current UMass Lowell students should be using their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Required Courses

Each of the following 2000 level foundation courses is required (9 credits):

• ENGL.2000 Critical Methods of Literary Inquiry
• ENGL.2810 British Literary Traditions
• ENGL.2820 American Literary Traditions

Six approved English literature electives are required (18 credits):

Students take six literature electives. One of these may be at the 2000 level (but can be 3000/4000 level). Five of the electives must be at the 3000/4000 level. Courses must also meet the literary period distribution requirements listed below (lists of approved courses for period categories may be found in the Literature AR on SIS):

• ENGL.2/3/4xxx any literature course
• ENGL.3/4xxx Pre-1700 literature course
• ENGL.3/4xxx 1700-1900 literature course
• ENGL.3/4xxx Post-1900 literature course
• ENGL.3/4xxx any upper-division literature course
• ENGL.3/4xxx any upper-division literature course

One of the following Theory/Composition/Language/Methods courses is required (3 credits):

• ENGL.3070 History of the English Language
• ENGL.3080 Structure and Variation of the English Language
• ENGL.3150 Old English Language and Literature
• ENGL.3770 Theories of Rhetoric and Composition
• ENGL.3880 Undergraduate Seminar on the Teaching of Writing
• ENGL.3920 Visual Rhetoric
• ENGL.4290 Introduction to Literary Theory
• ENGL.4320 Introduction to Digital Humanities

One capstone course is required (3 credits):

The capstone will provide a culminating opportunity to complete a substantial learning project. Students should discuss their interests with their academic advisor to plan ahead for the capstone. Choose one of the following, depending on student goals and interests:

• An Individually-Designed Research Project
  • ENGL.4xxx Literary Research & Methods Seminar
  • ENGL.4910 Directed Study in Literature
• Experiential Learning
  • ENGL.4960 Internship I
  • ENGL.4970 Practicum
• A 4000-level Literature course (including single-author studies, upper-level thematic/period study, and advanced theory/methods courses)
  • ENGL.4010 Selected Authors
  • ENGL.4230 Shakespeare I
  • ENGL.4240 Shakespeare II
  • ENGL.4270 Virginia Woolf
  • ENGL.4280 The Harlem Renaissance
  • ENGL.4290 Introduction to Literary Theory
  • ENGL.4320 Introduction to Digital Humanities
  • ENGL.4790 Literature Seminar

Optional: An additional six English electives may be taken (0-18 credits):

Additional English courses (up to six courses within the 54 credit limit) may be taken in literature, theatre, or writing. For students contemplating graduate school in the discipline, additional 3000 or 4000 level literature courses are recommended. Students are encouraged in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year to seek an experiential learning opportunity such as the Practicum (Internship) or Community Writing 1 or 2, depending on the student's career goals and interests. Students planning a career in secondary teaching should consider the Undergraduate Seminar on the Teaching of Writing.

Note: Literature students are not required to take a minor, but they are encouraged to do so. Depending on the student's career goals and interests, several different minors may be appropriate. All students are encouraged to discuss possible minors with their academic advisors.

Last updated: 10/11/2022.