Sample Degree Pathway for English - Literature Concentration

For students entering in fall 2010 to spring 2015.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010General Education (Gen. Ed.) College Writing I3
MATH.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) Math3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage Culture 13
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) SS (Social Science)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
FAHS.1090First Year Seminar31
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1020(Gen. Ed.) College Writing II3
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) Science I w/lab3/4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage Culture 23
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) AH (Art Humanities)3
ENGL.2xxxFoundations course13
Total15/16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.2xxxFoundations course13
ENGL.2xxxFoundations course13
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) Science II w/lab3/4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 or WRtrack43
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
Total15/16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective23
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective23
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) SS (Social Science)3
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) AH (Arts/Humanities)3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 or WRtrack43
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.xxxxTheory/Composition/Language23
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective23
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) AH (Arts/Humanities)3
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) Science III (non-lab)3
xxxx.xxxxWRtrack4 or Free Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective23
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective23
ENGL.3/4xxxOptional English or Free Elect.3
xxxx.xxxx(Gen. Ed.) SS (Social Science)3
xxxx.3/4xxxFree or Minor Elective3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.4230 /
ENGL.4xxx
Shakespeare 1 / Capstone23
ENGL.3/4xxxLiterature Elective3
xxxx.3/4xxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.4xxx /
ENGL.4240
Capstone2 / Shakespeare 23
ENGL.3/4xxxOptional English or Free Elect.3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree or Minor Elective3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120.

A minimum of 36 credits, appropriately distributed, is required in English department courses. Students may not exceed the maximum of 45 credits of English department courses (not counting College Writing I II) within the first 120 credits presented toward graduation. At least 75 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.
  • Literature concentrators must complete 24 credits of literature courses at the 3000 level or above. (This includes ENGL.4230 / ENGL.4240 Shakespeare 1 or 2, and a 4000-level literary research capstone course).
  • Not counting required courses, such as Critical Methods, English Literary Traditions, and American Literary Traditions, students may not take more than two courses at the 2000 level.
  • Majors must take at least one course that fulfills the department's Diverse Literary Traditions requirement. Students should see their advisors or the AR in SiS for the department's list of approved courses.

1Three foundations courses: Critical Methods, British Literary Traditions, and American Literary Traditions.

2See requirements for period electives, Theory/Composition/Language, and capstone below.

3Required of all freshmen.

4World Ready Language Track (WRtrack) requires successful completion of the Beginning 1 and 2 courses of a language and 3 courses related to the history/government/literature/culture of that same country. (15 credits)

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

Refer to the General Education website for General Education requirements.

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):

Six approved English electives are required (18 credits):

Students take six 3000/4000 level literature electives, with a minimum of one course from each category below (lists of approved courses for period categories may be found in the Literature AR on SiS):

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

One of the following is required (3 credits):

One capstone course is required (3 credits):

The capstone is meant to provide a culminating activity, providing majors with an opportunity to complete a substantial research project. Students should discuss their research interests with their academic advisor to plan ahead for the capstone. Choose one of the following:

  • ENGL.4010 Selected Authors
  • ENGL.4910 Directed Study in Literature (must be pre-arranged with faculty approval)

Three optional free English electives may be taken (0-9 credits):

Additional English courses (up to three courses within the 45 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 who are not sure of plans after completing the BA 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.

Not counting required courses such as the three 2000 level courses listed in the first category above, students may not take more than two courses at the 2000 level.

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: 10/26/2017.