Literature Exploration (3 credits)

• ENGL 2600 - Literary Analysis 3

Culture Exploration (3 credits)

• ENGL 2210 - Introduction to Folklore (BHU) 3
• ENGL 2630 - Survey of American Culture (BHU) 3
• ENGL 2720 - Survey of American Folklore 3
• ENGL 3070 - Perspectives in Folklore (DHA) 3
• ENGL 3620 - Native American Studies 3
• ENGL 3700 - Regional Folklore (CI) 3
• ENGL 3710 - Folklore Colloquium (CI) 3

Writing Exploration (3 credits)

• ENGL 3400 - Professional Writing (CI) 3
• ENGL 3420 - Fiction Writing 3
• ENGL 3430 - Poetry Writing 3
• ENGL 3440 - Creative Nonfiction Writing 3
• ENGL 4400 - Professional Editing (CI) 3
• ENGL 4410 - Document Design and Graphics 3

Note:

In addition, all English majors, except for students in the Professional and Technical Writing emphasis, are advised to complete ENGL 2600  as soon as possible before enrolling in upper-division courses. Differing requirements for the Professional and Technical Writing Emphasis are shown below. 

Literary Studies Emphasis

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 , ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.75 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.75 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative; 2.0 career total

Minimum Grade Accepted: C within major courses (no grades of pass/fail)

Number of required credits:42

This emphasis is devoted to the study of literature. Its fundamental premise is that literature is a field of diverse representations that gives shape and meaning to human experience.

Students are strongly urged to take the courses in sequence as much as possible—that is, to complete ENGL 2600  and the other exploratory requirements early, before taking upper-level literature courses. Students are further urged to take at least two Literary History courses at the 3000-level before attempting the 4000-level Authors and Genres courses.

At the 3000 level, the Literary History courses are designed to give students a solid grounding in British, American, and World literature, and to situate that literature within larger historical contexts and artistic movements.

At the 4000 level, students engage in the intensive study of literary genres, and of the works of particular writers. These courses invite students to think critically about how literature is constructed and organized as a field of knowledge.

At the 5000 level, students engage in the advanced study of literature within various interdisciplinary contexts, from the social to the scientific. These Special Topics courses provide the theoretical tools necessary to analyze the relationship between literature and other modes of understanding and representing the world.

Students in the Literary Studies emphasis are strongly urged to take at least four semesters of coursework in a second language (or to pass a proficiency test at the level of 2020 or above), and to graduate with a bachelor of arts degree rather than a bachelor of science.  Knowledge of other languages is crucial to a fully developed understanding of literature, culture, and language more generally.  Graduate programs in literature generally expect knowledge of a second language from applicants, and a BA degree is the norm for English majors around the nation.

Students in the Literary Studies Emphasis, furthermore, are strongly urged to select a minor in a field that will broaden their knowledge of the world and is closely allied to Literary Studies, such as American studies, folklore, women and gender studies, history, religious studies, a foreign language, classics, art history, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, geography, or sociology.  For more information, visit the Literary Studies Emphasis website, accessed through a link at http://english.usu.edu/. 

Professional and Technical Writing Emphasis

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 , ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.75 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.75 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative; 2.0 career total

Minimum Grade Accepted: C in courses taught by major, B- in ENGL 1120 , ENGL 3400  and ENGL 3410  (up to 3 credits with pass/fail grades allowed for internship)

Number of required credits:42

Other Requirements: Grammar Challenge Exam (score of at least 80 percent) or ENGL 1120  

This emphasis prepares students for career opportunities in various writing-related careers in professional organizations.   The emphasis consists of: (1) a theoretical foundation in rhetoric and linguistics, enabling students to assess writing situations and meet the rhetorical exigencies they will face in the workplace; and (2) writing practice in a variety of contexts with a range of technological tools, preparing them to design, write, and edit professional documents.

Students begin their studies by completing two introductory professional writing courses familiarizing students with professional writing and the current technologies used in all levels of text production.  These courses, ENGL 3400  and ENGL 3410 , are prerequisites for the rest of the major and must be passed with a grade of B- or better for the student to continue in the program.  In addition, students will take two courses addressing rhetorical issues and research methods in professional communication, as well as one course in linguistics.

Students then take five major courses, including professional editing, document design and graphics, interactive media, and publication production and management.  Students may also take courses focusing on more specific forms of writing, such as proposals, newsletters, and computer documentation.  We encourage and can help procure internships, which provide students with an opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences in a variety of organizations.  Students complete the program by taking a capstone course, in which they design and construct portfolios, explore professional opportunities, and prepare to begin their careers.  For more information, visit the Professional and Technical Writing  website: http://techcomm.usu.edu/.

Note:  As soon as possible, students in this emphasis should acquire a mastery of word processing and desktop publishing programs.

English Teaching Emphasis

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 , ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.75 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.75 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative (2.75 USU cumulative required for admission to STEP); 2.75 career total (for licensure)

Minimum Grade Accepted: C (no pass/fail) in major courses; B- in STEP courses (Note: C- or better in Quantitative Literacy (QL) course required by the Secondary Education Program)

Number of Required Credits: 42 (45 if required to take ENGL 1120 )

Other Requirements: Teaching minor, STEP (35 credits) required for licensure, Grammar Challenge Exam (score of at least 80 percent) or ENGL 1120   

This emphasis, leading to professional licensure in the teaching of secondary-level English, prepares prospective English teachers to participate actively in the many communities related to the profession. Students become well-versed in their academic subject matter (language, writing, literature, and multimedia); skilled in the methods of teaching the various components of the English curriculum and in classroom management techniques; and committed to the achievement of all students regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic standing. 

In addition to the required exploratory courses, students take 18 credits in literature courses in order to acquire an understanding of the traditional literary canon, literary diversity, and current theoretical approaches to understanding literature.  Students take 12 credits in pedagogy to learn about curriculum, planning, instructional delivery, assessment, and related topics.  Students take 3 credits of an English elective, allowing them an opportunity to explore an area of personal interest.

Students are urged to complete the required Exploratory courses and an additional 6 credits of English prior to taking ENGL 4500  and ENGL 4510 .  When possible, students should complete all of their required 3000-level courses before taking 4000-level courses.

If students wish to obtain professional licensure at graduation, they must also fulfill the requirements of the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) prescribed by the Secondary Education Program of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL).

Creative Writing Emphasis

Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.75 within all English courses (other than ENGL 1010 , ENGL 2010 , CLEP, AP, etc.); 2.75 USU cumulative (including courses taken for another USU major); 2.75 career total (including transfer credits) for new transfer students

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.75 within major courses; 2.0 USU cumulative; 2.0 career total

Minimum Grade Accepted: C within major courses (no grades of pass/fail). B- or better in ENGL 3420 , ENGL 3430  and ENGL 3440 .

Number of required credits: 42

This emphasis is devoted to the art of literary writing: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama. Through practice in specific genres and a comprehensive study of literature, students learn the craft of literary writing as discovered and practiced over the last three thousand years of written human culture. The emphasis prepares undergraduates for graduate work in creative writing and develops critical, cognitive, and writing skills applicable in numerous professional fields.

Since creative writers must have a broad knowledge of literature, students first complete two of the 3000-level literature history courses that provide an overview of major periods, authors, and genres in American, British and World literature. They also take ENGL 2600 - Literary Analysis , which introduces methodologies of literary criticism.

Also at the 3000-level, students begin their work as creative writers, taking three introductory writing courses in three genres: fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. 

At the 4000 and 5000-level, students concentrate their training as creative writers, taking three courses in advanced fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction writing, which can be repeated. They also take two courses focused on the study of a single author, a course in the study of one’s chosen genre or a course in Literature and Culture.

Creative Writing Residency Requirements

As part of the 21 credits completed at Utah State University to meet department residency requirements, Creative Writing students must complete two of the three advanced Creative Writing courses at Utah State University.

Freshman Year (30 credits)

Sophomore Year (30 credits)

Junior Year (30 credits)

Senior Year (30 credits)

Freshman Year (30 credits)

Sophomore Year (30 credits)

Junior Year (30 credits)

Senior Year (30 credits)

Freshman Year (30 credits)

Sophomore Year (30 credits)

Junior Year (30 credits)

Senior Year (30 credits)

Freshman Year (30-31 credits)

Sophomore Year (30 credits)

Junior Year (30 credits)

Senior Year (53+ credits)