The Bachelor of Arts program in English requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 33 upper-level (numbered 300 to 499) credits in the major. Six of the 33 credits may be taken in upper-level foreign literature read in the original language or upper-level foreign literature in English translation (FLET). UNIV 111 and UNIV 112 (or equivalent) and a 200-level literature course (or equivalent) do not count toward the major.
English majors must take a minimum of nine credits at the 400 level, including the senior seminar, ENGL 499. Students may expect 300-level courses in the department to emphasize historical breadth, while 400-level courses will offer in-depth focus. ENGL 410-ENGL 414, ENGL 480-ENGL 485 and ENGL 499 will include British, American or other literatures (world, transatlantic, etc.). For specific topics, see the Schedule of Classes; majors are encouraged to choose 400-level courses from more than one literary tradition (British, American, other literatures).
Program goals and student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
- Read closely a wide variety of texts from diverse traditions and recognize how texts are shaped by historical, geographical and generic contexts
- Learning outcome 1: Employ strategies for interpreting form and ideas through close reading in order to build knowledge of human experience
- Learning outcome 2: Demonstrate competence at synthesizing ideas within given contexts and perspectives
- Write clear and effective compositions that reflect their understanding of literary genres, critical perspectives and rhetorical purposes
- Learning outcome 3: Evince a thorough understanding of context, audience and purpose
- Learning outcome 4: Organize and synthesize ideas to reveal insightful patterns related to the focus of the writing assignment
- Employ various strategies for research in order to write persuasive essays
- Learning outcome 5: Demonstrate discernment at engaging high-quality, credible, relevant sources as parts of published scholarly conversations
- Learning outcome 6: Integrate evidence into a well-structured, logical argument
Degree requirements for English, Bachelor of Arts
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| ENGL 301 | Introduction to the English Major | 3 |
| ENGL 499 | Senior Seminar in English | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| Linguistics, writing, criticism: Select one course from two of the three areas. (See list below.) | 6 | |
| Literature: Select two courses in literature prior to 1700. (See list below.) | 6 | |
| Literature: Select two courses in literature between 1700 and 1945. (See list below.) | 6 | |
| Literature of diversity: Select one course. (See list below.) | 3 | |
| • Major electives | ||
| Select required elective/optional focus credits. (See description below.) | 6-9 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| Experiential fine arts 1 | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language through the 102 level (by course or placement) | 0-6 | |
| Literary contexts: Complete a foreign language through the 202 or 205 level by course or placement or select six credits in literary history and culture from: | 0-6 | |
| Western World Literature I | ||
| Western World Literature II | ||
| British Literature I | ||
| British Literature II | ||
| American Literature I | ||
| American Literature II | ||
| Contemporary World Literature | ||
| Women in Literature | ||
| Topics in Literature | ||
| Early German Literature | ||
| Modern German Literature | ||
| Topics in Foreign Literature in English Translation | ||
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 38-55 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Course offered by the School of the Arts
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Major requirements lists
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Linguistics, writing, criticism | ||
| Select one course from two of these three areas for six credits. | ||
| • Linguistics | ||
| ENGL/ANTH/LING 390 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 |
| ENGL 392/ANTH 328/FRLG 328/LING 392 | Language, Culture and Cognition | 3 |
| ENGL/LING 450 | Modern Grammar | 3 |
| ENGL/LING 451 | History of the English Language | 3 |
| ENGL/GSWS/LING 452 | Language and Gender | 3 |
| ENGL/LING 453 | Modern Rhetoric | 3 |
| ENGL/INTL 454/ANTH 450 | Cross-cultural Communication | 3 |
| • Writing | ||
| ENGL 302 | Legal Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 303 | Writing for Stage and/or Screen | 3 |
| ENGL 304 | Persuasive Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 305 | Writing Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 307 | Writing Fiction | 3 |
| ENGL 309 | Writing Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| ENGL 310 | Professional Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 350 | Digital Rhetoric | 3 |
| ENGL 367 | Writing Process and Practice | 3 |
| ENGL 388 | Professional, Scientific and Technical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL/TEDU 389 | The Teaching of Writing Skills | 3 |
| ENGL 393 | Rhetoric in Public Life | 3 |
| ENGL 394 | Topics in Professional Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 395 | Digital Rhetoric | 3 |
| ENGL 433/THEA 426 | Advanced Dramatic Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 435 | Advanced Poetry Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 437 | Advanced Fiction Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 439 | Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 441 | Literary Technique:____ | 3 |
| ENGL 459 | Political Rhetoric in the U.S. | 3 |
| ENGL 491 | Topics in Writing (by specific topic) | 3 |
| • Criticism | ||
| ENGL 311 | Introduction to Literary Theory | 3 |
| ENGL/GSWS 352 | Feminist Literary Theory | 3 |
| ENGL 391 | Topics in Literature (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 445 | Form and Theory of Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 447 | Form and Theory of Fiction | 3 |
| ENGL 449 | Form and Theory of Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| ENGL 485 | Literary Theory and Criticism: ____ | 3 |
| Literature | ||
| Select two courses in literature prior to 1700 for six credits. 1 | ||
| ENGL 320 | Early Literary Traditions | 3 |
| ENGL 321 | English Drama From 900 to 1642 | 3 |
| ENGL 322 | Medieval Literature: Old English to Middle English | 3 |
| ENGL 324 | Late Medieval Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 325 | Early Modern Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 326 | Shakespeare in Context | 3 |
| ENGL/RELS 361 | The Bible as Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 391 | Topics in Literature (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 401 | Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENGL 402 | Chaucer | 3 |
| ENGL 403 | Milton | 3 |
| ENGL 407 | Medieval Epic and Romance | 3 |
| ENGL 410 | Medieval Studies: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL 411 | Early Modern Studies: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL 480 | Authors: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 481 | Genres: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 482 | Literary Topics: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 483 | Literary Texts and Contexts: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 484 | Literary Movements: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 497 | British Virginia Internship | 1-3 |
| Select two courses in literature between 1700 and 1945 for six credits. 1 | ||
| ENGL 330 | The London Stage: 1660-1800 | 3 |
| ENGL 331 | Restoration and 18th-century British Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 332 | 18th-century British Novels and Narratives | 3 |
| ENGL 335 | British Literature of the Romantic Era | 3 |
| ENGL 336 | 19th-century British Novels and Narratives | 3 |
| ENGL 337 | Victorian Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 340 | Early 20th-century British Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 371 | American Literary Beginnings | 3 |
| ENGL 372 | U.S. Literature: 1820-1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 373 | U.S. Literature: 1865-1913 | 3 |
| ENGL 374 | U.S. Literature: Modernism | 3 |
| ENGL 377 | 19th-century U.S. Novels and Narratives | 3 |
| ENGL 391 | Topics in Literature (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 412 | 18th-century Studies: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL 413 | 19th-century Studies: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL 480 | Authors: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 481 | Genres: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 482 | Literary Topics: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 483 | Literary Texts and Contexts: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 484 | Literary Movements: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| AMST 391 | Topics in American Studies (by specific topic) | 3 |
| AMST 394 | Perspectives in American Studies (by specific topic) | 3 |
| Select one course in the literature of diversity for three credits. 1 | ||
| ENGL/GSWS 353 | Women's Writing | 3 |
| ENGL/GSWS 354 | Queer Literature: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL 358 | Native American and Indigenous Literatures | 3 |
| ENGL/AMST 359 | Studies in African American Literature: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL/AFAM 363/INTL 366 | African Literature | 3 |
| ENGL/ANTH 364 | Mythology and Folklore | 3 |
| ENGL/AFAM 365/INTL 367 | Caribbean Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 366 | Writing and Social Change: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL/AFAM 379 | African-American Literature: Beginnings Through the Harlem Renaissance | 3 |
| ENGL 381 | Multiethnic Literature | 3 |
| ENGL/AFAM 382 | African-American Literature: Realism to the Present | 3 |
| ENGL 417 | Themes in African American Literature: ____ | 3 |
| ENGL 480 | Authors: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 481 | Genres: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 482 | Literary Topics: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 483 | Literary Texts and Contexts: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
| ENGL 484 | Literary Movements: ____ (by specific topic) | 3 |
No single course may be used to satisfy two of these requirements.
Required electives/optional focus
As part of the English major, electives allow students to take courses of particular interest to them. Electives may not be used to satisfy any other requirements for the major, except ENGL 499. In consultation with an adviser, students are encouraged to cluster their elective courses in one of the following focus areas.
- Literary studies (including courses grouped by historical period, genre, region, national and minority traditions, thematics, literary movement, literary influence, etc.)
- Writing (including both expository and creative writing)
- Criticism and theory (including approaches to literature, form and theory courses, etc.)
- Cultural studies (including courses that focus on race, class, gender, ethnicity, film, popular culture, etc.)
- Linguistics (including courses that focus on history of the language, cross-cultural communications, etc.)
Students are advised to consult the full listing and description of English courses before planning their elective courses.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Foreign language 101 | 3 | |
| General education course (select quantitative foundations; MATH 131 or STAT 208 recommended) | 3 | |
| General education course (select BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry) | 3 | |
| General education course (select BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for diversities in human experience | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| HUMS 202 | Choices in a Consumer Society | 1 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Experiential fine arts | 1-3 | |
| Foreign language 102 | 3 | |
| General education course (select AOI for global perspectives) | 3 | |
| General education course (select BOK for natural science and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 14-16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| General education course (select any AOI) | 3 | |
| Literary contexts: literary history and culture course (from list) or foreign language (201) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ENGL 301 | Introduction to the English Major | 3 |
| Linguistics, writing or criticism (from list) | 3 | |
| Literary contexts: literary history and culture course (from list) or foreign language (202 or 205) | 3 | |
| Literature between 1700 and 1945 (from list) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Linguistics, writing or criticism (from list) | 3 | |
| Literature of diversity (from list) | 3 | |
| Literature prior to 1700 (from list) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ENGL 400-level elective | 3 | |
| Literature prior to 1700 (from list) | 3 | |
| Literature between 1700 and 1945 (from list) | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ENGL 400-level elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ENGL 499 | Senior Seminar in English | 3 |
| Open electives | 12 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 120-122 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Accelerated B.A. and M.A.
The accelerated B.A. and M.A. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.A. and M.A. in English in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate courses toward both the B.A. and M.A. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 138 credits rather than the 150 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
The accelerated M.A. in English program is designed for students who wish for continued study of and competency in the discipline and/or are considering a Ph.D. in English.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of at least 60 and no more than 75 undergraduate credit hours including ENGL 301 and a minimum of three courses at the 300 or 400 level (completion of a course in the 480s is strongly recommended) or permission of the chair; an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.5 in English course work. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with either the director of undergraduate students, the senior adviser in English, the director of the master’s in English or the graduate program adviser before they have completed 60-75 credits. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided initially by the coordinator of undergraduate advising, and then the director of the master’s program and coordinator of graduate programs. If a student who is admitted to the program chooses not to complete the degree, the graduate credits hours will be applied to the B.A. The department is committed to providing strong and seamless mentoring and advising for students in this program.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. A minimum of two letters of reference (at least one from an English faculty member) and a paper of any length written in a 300- or 400-level English course that demonstrates the student’s commitment to the discipline must accompany the application.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Arts in English will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. Up to 12 of these graduate credits will substitute for open elective credits for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate English courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are listed below.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 560 | Studies in British Literature and Culture | 3 |
| ENGL 570 | Special Topics in American Literature and Culture | 3 |
| ENGL 605 | Introduction to Scholarship in English Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 606 | Literary Criticism | 3 |
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year. Note: It is recommended that students take at least one course numbered in the 480s during the junior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ENGL 300- or 400-level linguistics, writing or criticism | 3 | |
| ENGL 300- or 400-level literature of diversity | 3 | |
| ENGL 300- or 400-level literature prior to 1700 | 3 | |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ENGL 300- or 400-level literature prior to 1700 | 3 | |
| ENGL 300- or 400-level literature between 1700 and 1945 | 3 | |
| ENGL 400-level elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3-6 | |
| Term Hours: | 12-15 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ENGL 499 | Senior Seminar in English | 3 |
| ENGL 570 | Special Topics in American Literature and Culture | 3 |
| or ENGL 560 | Studies in British Literature and Culture | |
| ENGL 605 | Introduction to Scholarship in English Studies | 3 |
| Open electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ENGL 560 | Studies in British Literature and Culture | 3 |
| or ENGL 570 | Special Topics in American Literature and Culture | |
| ENGL 606 | Literary Criticism | 3 |
| ENGL 400-level electives | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ENGL 692 | Independent Study | 3 |
| Literature courses (500- to 600-level ENGL) | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ENGL 692 | Independent Study | 3 |
| ENGL 695 | Directed Study/Major Project and Presentation | 3 |
| Literature course (500- to 600-level ENGL) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |