Evening Degree Program: English Language and Literature | Department of English

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*Please note: we will continue to admit eligible Evening Degree Program students to the English major through autumn quarter 2014; after that, the program will no longer be available to new Evening Degree students, though we will continue to work closely with existing majors to help them to complete their degree requirements.

About the English Evening Degree Option:

The Department of English has offered an undergraduate evening option in English Language and Literature since the inception of the Evening Degree Program at the University of Washington. Students come to the English Evening Degree Program with a variety of goals that range from career enhancement and career change to preparation for graduate study and academic enrichment. English evening courses are taught by tenure-track English faculty who enjoy teaching in the smaller evening program, where it is possible to get to know individual students better and to teach a less-traditional and typically highly-motivated group of working adults. We will continue to admit new Evening Degree Program students to the English major through autumn quarter 2014; after that, the English major will no longer be available to new Evening Degree students, though we will work closely with existing majors to help them to complete their degree requirements.

The Department of English offers courses in English, American and related literature, literary history and criticism and related subjects. English majors take courses covering a wide range of literature while studying cultural history and intellectual history. The English curriculum is based on the premise that a knowledge of language and literature is fundamental to a university education, and is pertinent to many vocations and careers.

The UW Evening Degree Program is an exciting option for students who want to complete their bachelor's degree but work or have other commitments during the day. Admission to the Evening Degree Program is separate from the day program. Students admitted to the Evening Degree Program must plan on completing their degree through the evening program.

English Major Requirements, Evening Degree Program:

(NOTE: The Creative Writing Option is not available in the Evening Degree Program.)

These requirements are effective for students declaring the English major in Autumn 2013 and later. If you declared the English major in Spring 2013 or earlier, please see a Humanities Academic Services Center (HAS) adviser to discuss your requirements.

A minimum of 55 credits in English courses:

ENGL 301 (Introduction to English Language and Literature) and writing link ENGL 297(Writing in the Humanities): 10 credits.
Minimum grade of 2.0 required in each course. (These courses are not offered in the evening or during summer quarter, so course substitutions are made routinely on a case-by-case basis for Evening Degree Program students. Please see a HAS adviser for information about alternative literature courses.)

ENGL 302 (Critical Practice): 5 credits
Minimum grade of 2.0 required. (This course is offered once per year in the evening, usually in winter quarter. Check with an HAS adviser about course availability.)

English Distribution: 15 credits
At least 5 credits from each of the three categories below.

English Electives: 20 credits
(excluding ENGL 285, Writers on Writing, ENGL 297, 298, and 299 Interdisciplinary Writing courses, and ENGL 491, Internships, which cannot be counted toward the Distribution or Electives requirements in the English major)

English Senior Capstone course: 5 credits
Minimum grade of 2.0 required. (A senior capstone is offered once per year in the evening, usually in the winter or spring. See an HAS adviser for course availability.)

Chosen from the following 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 498 (Senior Seminar)

Pre-1900 Literature:
At least 15 credits in ENGL courses must be focused on pre-1900 literature taught by the English Department. (These pre-1900 literature credits may overlap with other English major requirements.)

Limit on 200-level ENGL credit:
No more than 15 credits in 200-level ENGL courses (including ENGL 297) may be applied toward the English major: 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 major.

Grades and GPA Requirements:
ENGL 301, 297, 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 25 ENGL credits applicable to the English major must be taken in residence at the UW Seattle.

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

For assistance with planning and for questions, please consult the HAS website.

Department of English Admission and Continuation Policy (PDF) (rules for satisfactory progress)