Literature Major (B.A.)
English courses emphasize the close reading of texts, the study of particular authors and genres, questions of critical theory and method, and the relationship of literary works to their historical periods and other disciplines. The department seeks not only to foster analytical reading and lucid writing but also to stimulate thought about the nature of human experience. In order to be servant leaders, students must be articulate, they must be able to think critically and analytically, and they must have a grounding in humane thought and letters in order to understand the historical and philosophical contexts of today’s world.
Apart from such global rewards of studying literature, a degree in English-language literature offers intensive training in skills essential to the contemporary job market. Graduates of Seton Hall University’s English program have gone on to graduate programs and to successful careers in writing and editing, publishing, teaching, law, business and media.
In addition to the literature major, the creative writing major, and the writing major, the department also offers a literature minor, a writing minor, and a creative writing minor, each 18 credits and available to students of any major. At the graduate level, the Department of English offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) designed for present or prospective teachers of English on the secondary or college level, for students contemplating the Ph.D., for those interested in creative writing, and for those already involved in careers in publishing, business, writing or media. English majors who qualify for the Dual Degree B.A./M.A. program in English can complete the M.A. degree in one year beyond their B.A. See description below.
Major Requirements
To declare an English major, students must have a 2.5 minimum GPA in ENGL 1201 Core English I and ENGL 1202 Core English II, or gain permission of the Chair of the Department of English. Core English I and II are prerequisites for all advanced English courses.
Note: ENGL 2103 American Literature I and ENGL 2104 American Literature II can be used toward the Humanities requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum as well as the requirements of the English major.
Link to College Core requirement.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Requirements | ||
| ENGL 2103 & ENGL 2104 | American Literature I and American Literature II | 6 |
| ENGL 2111 & ENGL 2112 | British Literature I and British Literature II | 6 |
| ENGL 2204 | Introduction to Literary Studies | 3 |
| ENGL 2205 | Literary Genres and Precedents | 3 |
| Advanced Requirements | ||
| ENGL 5011 | Senior Seminar for Literature | 3 |
| Select one course in each of five categories: * | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- *
Students also pursuing a Writing Minor must still take a course in the Writing category.
British (pre-1800)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6114 | Shakespeare I | 3 |
| ENGL 6115 | Shakespeare II | 3 |
| ENGL 6123 | Eighteenth Century Literature | 3 |
British (post-1800)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6124 | 3 | |
| ENGL 6125 | 3 | |
| ENGL 6126 | Major Brit Writers 1900-1945 | 3 |
| ENGL 6127 | Maj Brit Writers from 1945 | 3 |
| ENGL 6311 | English Novel Begin to 19 Cent | 3 |
| ENGL 6313 | Modern British Drama | 3 |
American
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6211 | Early American Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 6212 | American Romanticism | 3 |
| ENGL 6213 | 3 | |
| ENGL 6214 | 3 | |
| ENGL 6215 | Maj Amer writers From 1945 | 3 |
| ENGL 6216 | American Poetry | 3 |
| ENGL 6217 | 3 |
Thematic/Comparative
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6010 | Intro-Literary Research * | 3 |
- *
Students are advised to take this course as soon as possible after entering the dual degree program.
Writing
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 6411 | Poetry Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 6412 | Modern Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 6413 | Fiction Workshop | 3 |
| ENGL 6414 | Scientific and Tech Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 6415 | Composition Theory and Pract | 3 |
| ENGL 6420 | Linguistic History of English | 3 |
| ENGL 6421 | Non-Fiction Workshop | 3 |
Note: English Education double majors should take the following courses for 9 of the 15 credits in upper-level electives:
- for British pre-1800: ENGL 3312 Shakespeare Shakespeare
- for Thematic/Comparative: ENGL 3115 Literature of Adolescence or ENGL 3116 Children's Literature
- for Writing:ENGL 3620 History of the English Lang.
- English Education majors are also advised to take 3 more credits in advanced writing as a general elective.
Successful completion of a Department of English version of CORE 3XXX: Engaging the World will count as a literature elective as well as toward the University Core. A list of these courses can be found in the English Majors Blackboard course.
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