Home > Academics > Majors/Concentrations > English Literature

Advisory Board: Dr. Laura Barrett, Dr. Michael Harrawood, Dr. Hilary Edwards

Description: The English Concentration is designed to provide students with a background in literature in English, including an awareness of the historical/cultural origins of literary works and the relationship of literature in English to literature in other languages. Areas to consider are: literature's relationship to history, technology, religion, public institutions, notions of self and family; the development of literary history, including literary influences; stylistic and technical devices; generic distinctions; literary theory. The degree prepares students for careers in business, education, journalism, and government, as well as for graduate and professional schools such as education, medicine, and law.

Available Options: Concentration in English; minor concentration

Concentration in English

At least 27 credits must be fulfilled through 3-credit upper-division (3000-level or above) courses. Competency in at least one foreign language and literature is desirable, and, for those who expect to pursue advanced degrees in English, a reading knowledge of two foreign languages is recommended

Interpretation of Literature: This requirement may be satisfied by any of the following three courses.

British Literature: Below are examples of courses which satisfy the British Literature requirement. 3 credits must be taken in literature prior to 1798, and 3 credits taken in literature after 1798. For students entering Fall 2008, at least one of the courses satisfying the British literature requirement must be upper-level [revised 3-28-08].

American Literature: Below are examples of courses which satisfy the American Literature requirement. 3 credits must be taken in literature prior to 1900, and 3 credits taken in literature after 1900. For students entering Fall 2008, at least one of the courses satisfying the American literature requirement must be upper-level [revised 3-28-08].

Author-focused: At least one course should be offered every year; a course on Shakespeare will be offered at least every other year.

English Electives: These courses must be at the 3000-level or higher. Students are strongly encouraged to take one course in literary criticism (i.e. Critical Approaches to Literature or Philosophy of Literature) as well as one course in non-Western or minority literature. Following is a list of electives which will satisfy these requirements. One course in the literature of a foreign language or in comparative literature may replace an English elective. Other courses may be counted only with the permission of the Concentration Advisor.

Electives in other fields: As a broad knowledge of culture, epistemology, history, and social institutions is essential to a sensitive and complete understanding of literature, the English Concentration requires that students complete nine credits (outside of English) in relevant courses in the humanities and the social sciences. Students must complete at least nine credits of any 3-credit course with the following prefix, except study abroad, internship, and thesis courses: AFS, AMS, AMH, ANT, ARH, ASN, CLA, CPO, CRW, ECP, ECS, ENC 3***, EUH, EVR, EXP, FRT, FRW, GEA, GEO, HIS, HUM, INR, LAH, LIN, LNW, PHH, PHI, PHP, POS, POT, PSY 2***, SPW, SYD, SYG, WOH, WST; in addition, the following courses may be taken as electives: DEP 3005, ECO 3303, MUS 2670. At least 3 of the 9 credits must be upper-level (3000 or 4000 level). Students are reminded that they must have at least 45 credits of upper level courses to graduate and should choose their electives accordingly. An appropriate IDS course or non-Honors FAU courses may count as an English elective or elective in other fields only with permission of the Concentration Advisor.

Note: Internship credits will not be counted toward the concentration.

Senior Thesis: Every student concentrating in English will complete a senior thesis under the guidance of a primary advisor from English. The honors thesis is a manuscript of at least fifty pages, demonstrating the student's original contribution to his/her chosen area. The thesis will be written under the direction of a committee of two and defended orally.
Restrictions: Students must achieve at least a grade of "C+" for all courses in the concentration.

Minor concentration in English (15 credit hours): The English Minor Concentration is designed to offer students significant coursework in both British and American literature, as well as literature written before and after 1800. Students are to select the appropriate combination of courses with the help of an advisor. At least 9 hours of coursework must be at the 3000 or 4000 level; 6 hours may be at a lower level, for a total of 15 credit hours. Students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average in courses taken for the minor concentration. At least 50% of upper level credits must be from Honors College courses.
Requirements:
• At least one course in British Literature
• At least one course in American Literature
• At least one course that deals primarily with literature written before 1800
• At least one course that deals primarily with literature written after 1800
One course can satisfy two of these requirements (e.g. AML 3121 satisfies the requirement for a course in American Literature and a course on literature written after 1800).