Writing Major Requirements

The English writing major requires the completion of 33 credits: 21 credits in English writing courses, and 12 credits in English literature courses. Students are encouraged to take additional writing and literature courses beyond the required minimum. Courses in film studies; gender, sexuality, and women's studies; business and technical writing are particularly useful for English writing majors.

Prerequisites

The Seminar in Composition requirement must be completed prior to enrollment in any ENGWRT course. A Seminar in Composition course can be selected form the following list

ENGCMP 0200 Seminar in Composition
ENGCMP 0203 Seminar in Composition: Women’s Studies
ENGCMP 0205 Seminar in Composition: Film
ENGCMP 0207 Seminar in Composition: Education
ENGCMP 0208 Seminar in Composition: Service Learning
FP 0003 / FP 0006 Freshman Seminar

Tracks

Majors must choose a concentration in at least one of the three tracks – Fiction, Poetry, or Nonfiction. In most cases, the student will take other writing courses as well.

Each track consists of three levels of courses. The introductory courses (0500s) offer a broad introduction to the skills required of writers in that area and generally should be taken no later than the second terms of the sophomore year. The intermediate courses (1000s for Fiction, 1200s for Poetry, 1300s for Nonfiction) refine and develop those skills. The senior seminars (1700s) provide a capstone experience for the student writer.

A minimum grade of C or better (not C-) is required in any 0500-level ENGWRT course to advance to the first 1000-level course in that track.  Students who earn less than a C in their first 1000-level course may not advance to the other courses in that track. Moreover, students must earn a minimum grade of C or better (not C-) in their Senior Seminar or Internship course.

Satisfactory/No Credit Option

There is no limit on the number of courses in the major that can be taken on an S/NC basis.

Writing (W) Requirement

English writing majors automatically fulfill both of the Arts and Sciences W-course requirements. Students pursuing a second major would be required to complete an additional W course for that major.

Related Area

A minimum of 12 credits is required in any one Dietrich School department chosen in consultation with the major advisor. The completion of an official Arts and Sciences minor or an Arts and Sciences or UCIS certificate also satisfies this requirement.