Students can choose either the traditional English major or the English major with an emphasis in professional writing. The English major is a course of study that cultivates in students an appreciation for literature, while it sharpens their reading, research, writing, and analytical skills. In all cultures people tell stories. To study literature is to take up the age-old avocation of learning, interpreting—even discovering and creating—the stories that are important to us.

Students who major in English engage in the study of British and American writers, and may follow their interests into such areas as literary criticism, linguistics, world literature, African-American literature, women writers, and film. English majors study one foreign language through the 2000 level and pass an exit exam to complete their degree. Some students choose the option of obtaining teacher certification while majoring in English. The department also offers courses to satisfy Georgia requirements for an endorsement to teach English as a second language.

The professional Writing track prepares students for writing careers in industry. The track offers courses in technical writing, news writing, desktop publishing, and business writing. Internships with Columbus-area organizations provide students with valuable hands-on experience. The program develops strong electronic research, writing, and editing skills.

The English program provides groundwork for students planning to go on to graduate or professional school in the humanities, education, law, or any other field that requires the skills and thoughtfulness that the study of literature confers. In addition, the writing skills that English majors acquire are particularly valuable to any occupation a college graduate might take up.

Also see the Department of Language and Literature web page.

Area F
Courses Related to Major
Required Hours: 18
ENGL 2145 Introduction to Poetry
ENGL 2146 Introduction to Fiction
Foreign Language 1002
Foreign Language 2001
Foreign Language 2002
Select one course from the following:
ENGL 2111 World Literature 1
ENGL 2112 World Literature 2
ENGL 2147 Introduction to Film
ENGL 2135 Multicultural Literature

Area G
Program Requirements
Required Hours: 30
ENGL 3111 American Literature 1
ENGL 3112 American Literature 2
ENGL 3157 Advanced Exposition
ENGL 3175 Readings in American Literature
ENGL 3185 Shakespeare
ENGL 4125 Medieval and Renaissance Literature
ENGL 4126 Neoclassical and Romantic British Literature
ENGL 4127 Victorian and Modern Literature
ENGL 4000 Baccalaureate Exam
ENGL 5585 Selected Authors

Area H
Program Electives
Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following:
ENGL 5165 Introduction to Linguistics
ENGL 5166 History of the English Language
Select one course from the following:
ENGL 3115 Studies of the American Novel
ENGL 3125 Studies of the British Novel
Select one course from the following:
ENGL 5145 Literary Criticism
ENGL 5155 Theories of Rhetoric and Composition
ENGL 5167 Grammatical Structure of English
Select one course from the following:
ENGL 3116 African-American Literature
ENGL 3117 American Women Writers
ENGL 3158 Organizational Communication
ENGL 3159 Technical Writing
ENGL 3155 News and Feature Writing
ENGL 3156 Advertising Writing
ENGL 3165 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 3255 The Electronic Writer
ENGL 4698 Internship
ENGL 5535 Selected Readings in World Literature
ENGL 5156 Advanced Creative Writing
ENGL 5168 Teaching English in the Multilingual Classroom

Area I
General Electives
Required Hours: 18

Area F
Courses Related to Major
Required Hours: 18
ENGL 2145 Introduction to Poetry
ENGL 2146 Introduction to Fiction
Foreign Language 1002
Foreign Language 2001
Foreign Language 2002
Select one course from the following:
ENGL 2111 World Literature 1
ENGL 2112 World Literature 2
ENGL 2147 Introduction to Film
ENGL 2135 Multicultural Literature

Area G
Program Requirements
Required Hours: 42
ENGL 3111 American Literature 1
ENGL 3112 American Literature 2
ENGL 3155 News and Feature Writing
ENGL 3156 Advertising Writing
ENGL 3157 Advanced Exposition
ENGL 3165 Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 3185 Shakespeare
ENGL 3255 The Electronic Writer
ENGL 4000 Baccalaureate Exam
ENGL 4125 Medieval and Renaissance Literature
ENGL 4126 Neoclassical and Romantic British Literature
ENGL 4127 Victorian and Modern Literature
ENGL 4698 Internship
ENGL 5155 Theories of Rhetoric and Composition

Area H
Program Electives
Required Hours: 9
Select one course from the following two courses:
ENGL 3158 Organizational Communication
ENGL 3159 Technical Writing
Select one course from the following two courses:
ENGL 5165 Introduction to Linguistics or
ENGL 5166 History of the English Language
Select one course from the following two courses:
ENGL 3115 Studies of the American Novel
ENGL 3125 Studies of the British Novel

Total Hours Required 123

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