Go Back to 1st Year Requirements for All Majors
English
First Year Advising 2008-2009
Students majoring in English choose from one of five emaphasis areas in English studies: creative writing, linguistics, literature, scientific & technical writing, or teaching. Students with majors outside of English can minor in any of these areas except linguistics (which does not have a minor program).
All majors should begin with Engl 110 (Introduction to College Writing), and if possible, Engl 210 (Introduction to Texts). Although much of the program consists of elective courses appropriate to the major concentration, students should plan their junior and senior years carefully in order to accommodate the more concentrated array of required courses in the upper division.
COURSE SELECTION
This guide provides a basic description of the English degree programs. It is not a substitute for meeting with an advisor.
ESSENTIAL COURSES
For all students who elect an English major, study begins with a core of eleven credits: Engl
210, Engl
221, and Engl
284. Engl
210 (Introduction to Texts) is specifically designed to help majors gain a deeper understanding of textuality: how various texts are constructed and structured; how they create meaning; what their purposes are and their effect on us; how we interact with and affect them. Engl
221 (The English Language) introduces students to the formal study of language, including grammar, history of the English language, and language acquisition, thereby providing students with a strong basis for their work in the discipline. Engl
284 (Introduction to Theory and Criticism) deepens students’ foundation for literary analysis and problem solving within the discipline and beyond. The major is designed to give students a common core as well as some depth of study in an emphasis. In addition to sharing information and ideas, English courses bring students together in a community with both shared and diverse learning goals.
OUT OF CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Students can supplement their classroom experience by serving as tutors in the English Writing Lab, as mentors in First-Year Experience sections of courses, as writing interns at area businesses, and as members of Sigma Tau Delta (the English Honor Society), NOTA (the UW-Eau Claire creative arts organization), or the English Festival Organizers.
Each spring the department sponsors a student-organized festival to promote and celebrate the English Language Arts. In their final or next-to-final semester, students finish their major with a "Capstone" experience in which they complete a major project, submit their English Portfolio for evaluation, and participate in an Exit Interview.
ENGLISH MAJOR CORE COURSES:
A minimum twelve-credit literature requirement:
(courses may be specified within a particular emphasis)
- no more than 6 credits of literature study at the 200 level
- no fewer than 6 credits of literature study at the 400 level
- A minimum twelve-credit emphasis requirement for emphasis area (see catalog).
PROGRAM READINESS
English majors concentrate on uses of language, both written and oral, in the constructions of meaning in complex cultures. Those who will succeed can begin with almost any background and preparation but must become very good readers who are interested in closely scrutinizing the specific details of texts, language and human experience.
GENERAL EDUCATION
Education students must consult the College of Education and Human Sciences program for specific University/College General Education requirements. All other English majors follow the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences.
COURSES TO BE AVOIDED
All 100-level English courses, including Engl
150 (Introduction to Literature). Psyc 100 (Introduction to Psychology) for Education majors.
MESSAGES FOR NEW MAJORS
Student organizations include English Festival, NOTA (the creative writing and arts organization), Sigma Tau Delta (the English Honors Society), the Society for Technical Communication (a student chapter of the primary professional organization for technical writers), and the Linguistics Club.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Several of the programs' required courses are offered by pre-assignment to give preference to declared majors. English majors must come to the department office (HHH 405) to receive pre-assignment permission.
Some required courses in the various programs are offered only once each year or every other year. Students must plan carefully with their advisers to be sure they don't pass up their earliest opportunities to take courses with heavy demand.
MINORS
The Scientific and Technical Writing minor makes a good combination with almost any major, particularly those in the social and natural sciences as well as in the computational, communication and business fields. As humanities concentrations, both the Liberal Arts minor and the Creative Writing minor would combine well with all majors, particularly those in the College of Business and the College of Education and Human Sciences. English Teaching minors make good complements for many major programs in Education.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
http://www.uwec.edu/english/
Dr. Theresa D. Kemp
Hibbard Humanities Hall 420
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715) 836-2042
tkemp@uwec.edu
Dr. Martin J. Wood (until August 2006)
Hibbard Humanities Hall 433
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715) 836-2639
mwood@uwec.edu
To learn how to declare this major, visit http://www.uwec.edu/registrar/chgofmajor/procedures/index.htm
Academic requirements change every year. For the most current information, refer to your catalogue and degree audit.