Note! If you declared your major after the spring of 2022, please consult the current requirements. These requirements are for those who declared their major between summer 2019 -- spring 2022).
If you declared your English major prior to the start of Summer 2019, please see the older requirement sets pertaining to the quarter and year when you became, or will become, an English major officially.
The undergraduate English major with language and literature emphasis offers students a broadly based, culturally contextualized introduction to the literatures of Britain, the United States, and, increasingly, Anglophone literature from around the world. Students majoring in English are exposed to a variety of critical perspectives, and have the opportunity to pursue interests in literary history, critical theory, language study, cultural studies, and creative writing. Good writing, analytical ability, research skills, and a broadened perspective on the world are among the practical accomplishments majors can expect to acquire, all of which can be applied to a range of careers.
Admission
Students currently enrolled at the University of Washington may declare the English major at any time by meeting with an adviser in the Humanities Academic Services Center (HAS), A-2-B Padelford Hall. Students from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
See the Creative Writing application information for separate, additional requirements and procedures for applying to the Creative Writing option within the English major.
To be eligible to declare the English major, you must:
- have an overall UW grade point average of at least a 2.00;
- have an English grade point average of at least 2.50 among all English coursework completed at the college level.
To declare the English major, students should:
- meet with a HAS adviser in A-2-B Padelford Hall. At that meeting, the student and adviser will sign a Change of Major form (PDF) to add the English major to the student's official UW record.
Students may declare the major during the first two weeks of any quarter. After declaring the English major, students will be eligible to register for courses open only to English majors during Registration Period 1.
To maintain satisfactory progress in the English major students must take ENGL 202 within one quarter of declaring the English major. Additionally, students must earn a 2.0 or higher in the course. If students do not earn a 2.0 or higher they must repeat the course to remain in the English major. This course can be repeated one time only.
Students who are denied admission because they do not meet the minimum requirements above may petition by writing to the English Department's Undergraduate Education Committee. Petitions should give full particulars, including any extenuating circumstances the student believes the Department should consider.
Major Requirements
The English major requires the completion of a minimum of 60 ENGL credits (the competitive-admission creative writing option requires a minimum of 60 ENGL credits). At least 30 credits of English applying toward the major must be earned in residence at the University of Washington. A maximum of 20 credits in 200-level courses, including required course work within the options, may count toward the English major. At least 15 credits must be in courses must be within the Historical Breadth requirement (these courses can overlap with any of the other major requirements with the exception of ENGL 202). Except for students completing the creative writing option, no more than 5 credits in creative writing may be applied toward the major.
A minimum of 60 credits in English courses:
ENGL 202 (Introduction to English Language and Literature)
Must be taken within one quarter of declaring the English Major. A minimum grade of 2.0 required. 202 does not count as a pre-1900 after Fall, 2018.
ENGL 302 (Critical Practice): 5 credits
A Minimum grade of 2.0 required. Must be taken within two quarters of declaring the English major per department continuation/satisfactory progress policy.
English Distribution: 15 credits
Five credits from each of the three distribution categories below.
(1) Theories and Methodologies of English Language and Literature
Description: These courses foreground theoretical approaches or methodological developments, including how they affect formal or historical topics. They explore how theories and methods such as Marxism, psychoanalysis, structuralism, phenomenology, reader reception, feminism, critical race theory or ethnography have influenced the production, practice or study of literature, language and culture in English.
Course Goals: While core courses may not achieve every goal, they will participate in the conversations represented in these goals as a central feature.
- To be able to identify main concepts, premises/assumptions, and strengths/liabilities of a theoretical or methodological approach
- To be able to compare and contrast what is distinct about different theoretical or methodological approaches
- To understand the historical and political contexts and stakes of different theoretical or methodological approaches
- To engage theory and method as a focus of analysis and research
- To examine and develop theoretical or methodological strategies for producing and circulating texts and implementing findings within salient academic and/or public conversations
- To explore how social groups or identities emerge through or participate in the production, significance, and reception of theories and methods
Course list:
- ENGL 302 Critical Practice (counts as a theory requirement for Creative Writing Students only)
- ENGL 303 (History of Literary Criticism and Theory I)
- ENGL 304 (History of Literary Criticism and Theory II)
- ENGL 305 (Theories of the Imagination)
- ENGL 306 (Introduction to Rhetoric)
- ENGL 307 (Cultural Studies)
- ENGL 308 (Marxism and Literary Theory)
- ENGL 309 (Theories of Reading)
- ENGL 367 (Gender Studies in Literature)
- ENGL 369 (Research Methods in Language & Literature)
- ENGL 370 (English Language Study)
- ENGL 378 (Special Topics in Theories/Methods)
- ENGL 470 (Theory and Practice of Teaching Literature)
- ENGL 471 (Theory and Practice of Teaching Writing)
Note: students who've been accepted to the competitive-admission Creative Writing option in the major may count ENGL 302 toward this category.
(2) Forms and Genres of Language and Literature
These courses spotlight study of the significant written or literary modes of English, including poetry, the short story, the novel, drama, film, and hypertexts. These genres of literature may be approached either as the subjects of critical study or as creative practices. Because they survey both older and emerging forms of written expression, some of the courses will undoubtedly undertake a consideration of the historical terms of a genre's appearance and evolution. Still, the chief purpose of these courses will be to introduce the workings and evolution of the various genres of literature.
Course list :
- ENGL 318 (Black Literary Genres)
- ENGL 329 (Rise of the English Novel)
- ENGL 341 (Studies in the Novel)
- ENGL 343 (Studies in Poetry)
- ENGL 344 (Studies in Drama)
- ENGL 345 (Studies in Film)
- ENGL 346 (Studies in Short Fiction)
- ENGL 347 (Studies in Non Fiction Prose)
- ENGL 348 (Studies in Popular Culture)
- ENGL 349 (Science Fiction and Fantasy)
-
ENGL 362 Latino Literary Genres
-
ENGL 375 (Rhetorical Genre Theory & Practice)
- ENGL 379 (Special Topics in Genres/Media)
(3) Cultures in Context
These courses concentrate on exploring the historical contexts of the development of English language and literature. Courses may include a range of approaches, including literary history as well as cultural studies. At times, courses may also take up a discussion of genre or theory, but historical context remains pivotal. The goal of these courses is to introduce the ways in which literature responds to and/or shapes historical conditions.
Course list :
- ENGL 315 (Literary Modernism)
- ENGL 316 (Postcolonial Literature and Culture)
- ENGL 319 (African Literatures)
- ENGL 320 (English Literature: The Middle Ages)
- ENGL 322 (English Literature: The Age of Elizabeth)
- ENGL 327 (English Literature: Restoration & Early 18th Century)
- ENGL 330 (English Literature: The Romantic Age)
- ENGL 331 (Romantic Poetry I)
- ENGL 332 (Romatic Poetry II)
- ENGL 335 (English Literature: Age of Victoria)
- ENGL 336 (English Literature: The Early Modern Period)
- ENGL 339 (English Literature: Contemporary England)
- ENGL 340 (Modern Anglo-Irish Literature)
- ENGL 351 (American Literature: The Colonial Period)
- ENGL 352 (American Literature: The Early Nation)
- ENGL 353 (American Literature: The Later 19th Century)
- ENGL 354 (American Literature: The Early Modern Period)
- ENGL 355 (American Literature: Contemporary America)
- ENGL 360 (American Political Culture: to 1865)
- ENGL 361 (American Political Culture: 1865 - Present)
- ENGL 373 (History of the English Language)
- ENGL 380 (Special Topics in Histories)
English Electives: 30 credits
(Excluded courses are ENGL 285, Writers on Writing; ENGL 297, 298, and 299 Interdisciplinary Writing courses; ENGL 491, Internships; and ENGL 474-476, courses associated with the Puget Sound Writing Project; these cannot be counted toward the English major Distribution or Electives requirement.)
English Senior Capstone course: 5 credits
Minimum grade of 2.0 required. We suggest that you take this requirement during the final two quarters in the major, and after successful completion of ENGL 302.
One course chosen from the capstone list:
- ENGL 407 (Special Topics in Cultural Studies)
- ENGL 430 (British Writers: Studies in Major Authors)
- ENGL 431 (Topics in British Literature)
- ENGL 440 (Special Studies in Literature)
- ENGL 442 (The Novel: Special Studies)
- ENGL 443 (Poetry: Special Studies)
- ENGL 444 (Dramatic Literature: Special Studies)
- ENGL 451 (American Writers: Studies in Major Authors)
- ENGL 452 (Topics in American Literature)
- ENGL 473 (Current Development in English Studies)
- ENGL 490 Professionalization capstone)
- ENGL 496 (English Honors Thesis) - available to English Honors Program students only
- ENGL 498 (Senior Seminar)
Historical Breadth:
10 credits in ENGL courses must be focused on pre-1945 Literature and 5 credits of pre-1700 literature.
Limit on 200-level ENGL credit:
No more than 15 credits in 200-level ENGL courses (beyond the introductory ENGL 202 ) may be applied toward the English major electives: all other English credits must be taken at the 300 or 400 level.
Limit on Creative Writing courses:
No more than 5 credits in creative writing courses may be applied to the Language & Literature English major. Students who have been accepted by the competitive admission process to the English: Creative Writing option follow different requirements.
Grades and GPA Requirements:
ENGL 202, 302, and the Senior Capstone require minimum grades of 2.0 in each course. English majors must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 in all UW ENGL courses.
Residency:
At least 30 ENGL credits applicable to the English major must be taken in residence at the UW Seattle.
University Diversity Requirement
The English department supports the central importance of the UW's requirement that students take at least one course dedicated at a primary level to the study of diversity. English courses that satisfy the DIV requirement include:
- ENGL 257 (Asian-American Literature)
- ENGL 258 (Introduction to African American Literature)
- ENGL 259 (Literature and Social Difference)
- ENGL 265 (Introduction to Environmental Humanities)
- ENGL 312 (Jewish Literature: Biblical to Modern)
- ENGL 316 (Postcolonial Literature and Culture)
- ENGL 317 (Literature of the Americas)
- ENGL 318 (Black Literary Genres)
- ENGL 319 (African Literatures)
- ENGL 357 (Jewish American Literature and Culture)
- ENGL 358 (African American Literature)
- ENGL 359 (Contemporary American Indian Literature)
- ENGL 361 (American Political Culture: After 1865)
- ENGL 362 ( Latino Literary Genres)
- ENGL 367 (Gender Studies in Literature)
- ENGL 368 (Women Writers)
- ENGL 372 (World Englishes)
- ENGL 466 (Gay and Lesbian Studies)
- ENGL 478 (Language and Social Policy)
- ENGL 479 (Language Variation and Language Policy in North America)
Recommended:
The department also strongly recommends, but does not require, 5 credits in one of the following English language courses:
- ENGL 370 (English Language Study)
- ENGL 371 (English Syntax)
- ENGL 373 (History of the English Language)
- ENGL 374 (The Language of Literature)
- ENGL 478 (Language and Social Policy)
- ENGL 479 (Language Variation and Policy in North America)
- LING 200 (Introduction to Linguistic Thought) -- through Department of Linguistics
Satisfactory Progress
Department of English Admission and Continuation Policy (PDF) (rules for satisfactory progress)
Have questions?
For assistance with planning and for questions, please visit the Humanities Academic Services Center.