Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A “C-” or better in all courses counted toward the English Major.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C”) in the major.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience:  ENG 499 when taken with a variety of 400 level literature courses. ENG 490 and ENG 496 can only serve as capstone courses when they are accompanied by ENG 499.

Contact Information: Steven Evans, Department Chair, 304 Neville Hall, (207) 581-3823, steven.evans@maine.edu


Course work for a Bachelor of Arts in English provides comprehensive instruction in the resources of English, its language and literatures. This instruction is central to a liberal education and fundamental preparation for graduate liberal arts and professional programs.   The English degree provides excellent preparation for a wide range of careers that depend on critical and creative thinking and the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.

Bachelor of Arts in English

Literature
Courses in literature make up the largest portion of the English major’s studies.  Our curriculum provides students with a broad-based foundation in English and American literature as well as in-depth inquiry into focused areas of literary study. Within this curriculum students are encouraged to read creatively and to discover what others have not seen. Students are asked to present these discoveries in writing in a persuasive way that allows others to see their importance. The literature program is enhanced and supported by links to the Center for Poetry and Poetics, an internationally recognized center for the study of modern and postmodern poetry, and to the New Writing Series, which brings as many as 20 exciting writers to campus each year.

Writing Concentrations
In addition to at least 24-27 credits in literature and literary theory, every English major completes a 9-12 credit concentration in Creative Writing, Analytical Writing or Technical/Professional Writing. Each concentration provides both introductory and advanced instruction and prepares students for further education or for work in many professions.

The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences  page of the catalog.

Core Requirements for All Majors:


Majors take a minimum of 36 credits in English beyond ENG 101. At least 18 of these credits must be University of Maine courses.  By the time of graduation, a student must also complete an additional field requirement, which may be satisfied in three ways: a minor, a second major, or intermediate proficiency in a language other than English (to the 204 level in college courses, or the equivalent by examination).

All majors must complete the following specific requirements:

Writing Concentration Options


Each writing concentration requires a sequence of courses beginning at the 200 or 300 level and culminating in  advanced coursework or pre-professional experiences in the senior year.

Creative Writing (9 credits):


This concentration allows students to explore their worlds with carefully crafted language and to make the writing of imaginative literature a way of life. Course work usually includes:

Analytical Writing (9 credits):


This concentration is for students whose primary interest is in literature, literary theory, and in writing essays, literary criticism, and academic papers.  It provides excellent preparation for law school or for graduate study in language and literature.   It is also useful for students planning to teach at the secondary or college level. Course work includes:

Technical/Professional Writing (12 credits):


This 12-credit concentration is useful for students planning careers in such diverse professions as law, public relations, management, arts administration, technical writing, and journalism. Course work usually includes:

Senior Capstone Requirement:


The senior capstone requirement applies to all majors and all concentrations. It may be satisfied in a number of ways appropriate to a student’s interests and plans, and is normally a natural culmination to previous choices within the major. Most of the capstone options also satisfy other major requirements. Any one of the following courses or experiences may be used:

Suggested curriculum for the B.A. in English


First Year - First Semester


First Year - Second Semester


Second Year - First Semester


Second Year - Second Semester


Third Year - First Semester


  • Credits: 3
  • ENG 300 or 400-level writing course in concentration. Credits: 3
  • ENG 300 level literature courses. Credits: 3-6
  • General Education and B.A. Requirements. Credits: 6-9  
  •  

Third Year - Second Semester


  • ENG 300 or 400 level writing course. Credits: 3
  • ENG 300 level literature course. Credits: 3-6
  • Electives, other program requirements remaining. Credits: 3-6

Fourth Year - First Semester


  • ENG  400-level literature and writing courses including capstone options Credits: 3-12
  • Electives. Credits: 3-9

Fourth Year - Second Semester


  • Finish capstone and ENG 300/400-level courses if you haven’t already done so. Major credits should total at least 36, with minimum GPA in major courses of 2.0. Total credits earned should be at least 120, with an overall GPA of 2.0. Credits: 15

Note: A minimum of 60 credits must be completed outside of the major.

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