2009-2010 Course Catalog

Required for the English major

  1. English 150 or its equivalent
  2. Eight six-unit courses beyond English 150, as follows:
    1. Two courses from the following intermediate group: English 230, 240, and 250
    2. One course in Shakespeare, normally English 425
    3. Two courses from group (i) and one each from groups (ii) and (iii):
      1. English 400, 420, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450
      2. English 455, 460, 465, 470, 472
      3. English 480, 482, 483, 485, 490, 495, 500, 503, 507, 510, 515
  3. One additional course in English
  • Completion of the English Department’s Senior Experience

    • Required for the English minor
    Six six-unit courses in English, distributed as follows:

    1. Two courses from the following introductory and intermediate group: English 150, 230, 240, 250
    2. One course from the following group: English 400, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450
    3. One course from the following group: English 455, 460, 465, 470, 472
    4. One course from the following group: English 480, 482, 483, 485, 490, 495, 500, 503, 507, 510, 515
    5. One additional course in English
    6. C average in the minor

    Graduate School
    Students considering graduate work in English are advised that, for the master’s degree, most graduate schools require demonstrated proficiency in at least one modern foreign language, normally French or German. For the doctor’s degree, the usual requirement is demonstrated proficiency in two modern foreign languages, normally French and German, and, in some cases, Latin. English 525: Contemporary Critical Theory is also an asset when preparing for graduate school. College work leading toward graduate study should be planned with these considerations in mind.

    Certification for Secondary teaching in English
    Students preparing to teach English in secondary schools should bear in mind that they must have from 30 to 40 semester hours of preparation in English for certification. Freshman Studies and Literary Analysis (English 150) count toward certification. Requirements for the major satisfy requirements for certification in Wisconsin, except that the student seeking certification must satisfactorily complete at least one course in advanced composition (e.g., English 350, 360, or 370); at least one course in linguistics or the English language (e.g., Linguistics 105 or 150); a tutorial in literature for adolescents; and either English 260, 500, or 510 or a tutorial in the literatures of minority groups in America.
    (Please refer to the the Department of Education listing for more detailed information on preparation for teacher certification.)

    Departmental advisors
    When students officially declare themselves English majors, they should choose a departmental advisor who will be responsible for guiding them in planning and completing their major course of study. Questions about the advising of English majors should be addressed to the department chair.

    Advanced Placement
    All students who have earned a 4 or better in the Advanced Placement Examinations in English of the College Entrance Examination Board will be given credit for one course in English. Those who have earned a 4 or 5 in the examination in literature also will be given advanced placement in courses at the intermediate level (English 230, 240, 250). Questions about exemption and placement should be addressed to the department chair.

    Senior Experience in English
    The English department's Senior Experience may be fulfilled through one of several options: (1) An honors project in English (or adequate progress toward completing an honors project as approved by departmental petition); (2) Eng 600: Senior Seminar in English: a seminar involving analysis of theoretical, historical, critical, and literary readings at an advanced level in conjunction with students' research and writing of an original, substantial paper (taken during the senior year or, in some cases, during spring term of the junior year); (3) An advanced course in creative writing with additional work determined by the instructor (taken during the junior or senior year); (4) Student teaching in English, along with a paper co-directed by the student's academic advisor in English and a faculty member in the Education department.
    Students pursuing double majors or double degrees are encouraged to consult with faculty from the English department and the other major department prior to taking Eng 600 if they wish to undertake a research topic that draws upon both of their majors. Students pursuing double majors or double degrees also have the option of doing an honors project that is interdisciplinary in nature, as long as one of the directors of the project is a professor in the English department.