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English Literature

Advisory Board:

Dr. Michael Harrawood   Dr. John Hess
The English Concentration provides 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
CoursesCredits
Interpretation of Literature3
British Literature (Survey or Period)6
American Literature (Survey or Period)6
Author-Focused Course3
English Electives (3000-level or above)12
Electives in Other Fields9
LIT 4970: Honors Thesis in Literature6
Total Credits45

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:
Interpretation of Literature
Course #Course NameCredits
LIT 2010Honors Interpretation of Fiction3
LIT 2030Honors Interpretation of Poetry3
LIT 2040Honors Interpretation of Drama3

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).

British Literature
Course #Course NameCredits
ENL 2012Honors British Literature to 17983
ENL 2022Honors British Literature Since 17983
ENL 4333Honors Shakespeare3
LIT 4243Honors Milton and English Revolution3

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).

American Literature
Course #Course NameCredits
AML 2010Honors American Literature to 18653
AML 2022Honors American Literature 1865 - 19453
AML 2053Honors American Literature 1945 - Present3
AML 4640Honors Native American Literature3
AML 3452Honors Environmental Imagination in American Literature and Culture3
AML 4930Honors Special Topics: African-American Literature3
AML 3111Honors American Novel to 19003
AML 3121Honors American Novel Since 19003

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.
English Electives
Course #Course NameCredits
 Honors Critical Approaches to Literature3
PHI 3882Honors Molecular Cell Biology3
ENG 4114Honors Fluorescence Microscopy3
HUM 3435Honors Biotechnology Lab3
LIT 3306Honors Immunology3
LIT 3361Honors Developmental Biology3
AML 4640Honors Native American Literature3
 Honors Women in Literature 3
 Honors Anglophone Literature3

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 requirements (e.g. AML 3121 satisfies the requirement for a course in American Literature and a course on literature written after 1800).