Catalog Home


Catalog Search


Colleges and Schools

Undergraduate Catalog
1999-2001


Department of English
Major Degree Plans

Chair: Wyman H. Herendeen

Concentration in Literature
Concentration in Linguistics
Concentration in Creative Writing
Concentration in Preprofessional English Studies
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature Suggested Program
Bachelor of Arts in English Linguistics Suggested Program
Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing Suggested Program
Bachelor of Arts in Preprofessional Studies Suggested Program
Minor in English
Advanced Degrees
Language and Culture Center

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in English encompasses a variety of academic and career goals (e.g., graduate school in English; secondary certification); therefore, students with specific objectives should choose a concentration and consult with the English advisor as soon as possible to ensure optimal selection of advanced English electives.

Concentration in Literature

Students majoring in English with a concentration in literature must complete all university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Before enrolling in advanced courses in English, students must complete the six hour university Core requirement in Communication (ENGL 1303 and 1304 or equivalents) and MATH 1310 or equivalent. Additional non-advanced courses in English may not be applied toward the major. In addition to the university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors seeking a concentration in literature must complete thirty-three advanced semester hours in English (3000- and 4000-level courses), to include:

  1. ENGL 3301: Introduction to Literary Studies (to be completed within the first nine hours of advanced English).
  2. Nine hours in British literature, to include:
    1. Six hours in British literature before 1798 (ENGL 3302 through 3313, and 3327).
    2. Three hours any British literature (3000 or 4000 level).
  3. Six hours in American literature, to include:
    1. Three hours in American literature before 1900 (ENGL 3350 or 3352).
    2. Three hours any American literature (3000 or 4000 level).
  4. Fifteen hours electives in English (3000 or 4000 level), no more than six of which can be in creative writing courses.

Concentration in Linguistics

Students majoring in English with a concentration in linguistics must complete all university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Before enrolling in advanced courses in English, students must complete the six hour university Core requirement in Communication (ENGL 1303 and 1304 or equivalents ) and MATH 1310 or equivalent. Additional non-advanced courses in English may not be applied toward the major. In addition to the university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors seeking a concentration in linguistics must complete twenty-seven advanced semester hours in English (3000- and 4000-level courses or advisor approved equivalents), to include:

  1. Three hours in British literature before 1798 (ENGL 3302 through 3313, and ENGL 3327).
  2. Six hours ENGL 4300 and 4305.
  3. Nine hours from ENGL 4310, 4315, 4322, 3396, 4398 (content of Selected Topics/Special Problems courses must be in linguistics).
  4. Nine hours of electives, six of which must be advisor approved literary period or genre courses (3000- or 4000-level) or equivalents. Among non-English courses recommended by the department are ANTH 3301 or 4301; COSC 1301, 1302, 1304, or 2320; PHIL 2321 or 3332; PSYC 3350, 3360, or 4352; COMD 2339 or 4385. (Students are restricted to a maximum of six semester hours in non-English courses).

Concentration in Creative Writing

Students majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing must complete all university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Before enrolling in advanced courses in English, students must complete the six hour university Core requirement in Communication (ENGL 1303 and 1304 or equivalents) and MATH 1310 or equivalent. Additional non-advanced courses in English may not be applied toward the major. In addition to the university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors seeking a concentration in creative writing will take thirty-nine advanced hours in English (3000 and 4000 level courses), to include:

  1. Nine hours in British literature, to include:
    1. Six hours in British literature before 1798 (ENGL 3302 through 3313, and 3327).
    2. Three hours any British literature (3000 or 4000 level).
  2. Six hours in American literature, to include:
    1. Three hours in American literature before 1900 (ENGL 3350 or 3352).
    2. Three hours any American literature (3000 or 4000 level).
  3. Nine hours electives in English (3000- or 4000-level courses, excluding creative writing courses).
  4. Fifteen hours in Creative Writing courses, to include:
    1. ENGL 3330 and 3331.
    2. Three hours in ENGL 4353 or 4354.
    3. Three hours in ENGL 4355 or 4356.
    4. Three hours ENGL 3329, 4350, 4351 (or any other Creative Writing courses or repeats of a 4000 level course with approval of the instructor).
In order to declare a major in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, the student must earn a minimum B (3.00) average in ENGL 3330 and 3331.

In order to graduate with a major in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, the student must have a minimum overall average of B (3.00) in Creative Writing courses.

Select superior writing students may be permitted to write a senior honors thesis. These students graduate with Honors in English, a distinction also noted in the transcript and graduation program. (Students who also fulfill the requirements of the university's Honors College graduate with University Honors and Honors in English.) In order to pursue a senior honors thesis in creative writing, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.60 in all creative writing courses. He or she must submit a preliminary manuscript of 10 pages of poetry or 20 pages of prose to a creative writing faculty member for review. If the manuscript is accepted, that faculty member will serve as the student's thesis advisor, and the student will register for ENGL 3399 and 4399. Both courses must be completed in order for credit to be earned. The student must complete, with a grade of B+ or better, the creative writing thesis, a manuscript of approximately 40 pages of poetry or 80 pages of prose. The thesis committee ultimately determines appropriate and sufficient length and quality.

Concentration in Preprofessional English Studies

Students majoring in English with a concentration in preprofessional studies must complete all university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Before enrolling in advanced courses in English, students must complete the six hour university Core requirement in Communication (ENGL 1303 and 1304 or equivalents) and MATH 1310 or equivalent. Additional non-advanced courses in English may not be applied toward the major. In addition to the university and college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree, majors seeking a concentration in preprofessional studies must complete thirty-three advanced semester hours in English (3000- and 4000- level courses), to include:

  1. Eighteen advanced semester hours in literature, to include:
    1. Three hours in Shakespeare (ENGL 3306).
    2. Three hours in literature before 1798 (ENGL 3302 through 3313, or ENGL 4330).
    3. Six hours 3000- and 4000-level literature courses (3350 through 3361, 3363, or 3364).
    4. six hours 3000- and 4000-level literature courses:
    1. ENGL 3300 through 3322.
    2. ENGL 3327 through 3328.
    3. ENGL 4362, 4364 through 4396.
  2. Nine advanced hours in writing, rhetoric, and criticism from the following:
    1. ENGL 3323 through 3326.
    2. ENGL 3329 through 3341.
    3. ENGL 4350 through 4356.

  3. Either six advanced semester hours from any English courses (3000- and 4000- level courses), or an approved minor in the colleges of Humanities, Fine Arts and Communication, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, or Social Sciences. (Students preparing for a career or graduate program in business, communications, or public affairs should consider ENGL 3340 or 3341 or both. Students intending to enter law school should consider a minor selected from the humanities or social sciences. Students intending to enter medical school should consider a minor in natural sciences.)
Note:ENGL 3396 and 4396 may be applied to any of these distribution requirements when the selected topics course is appropriate.
In order to graduate with a concentration in preprofessional studies, students must have a GPA of at least 3.00 in advanced English courses.

Students with a concentration in preprofessional studies are expected to acquaint themselves with the specific requirements of the graduate or professional programs that they may be considering and should seek assistance from the Career Planning and Placement Center and from faculty members and advisors.

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature Suggested Program

Courses listed here as mathematics/reasoning, natural science, humanities, performing and visual arts, and social sciences must be chosen from courses approved for the core curriculum. The fine arts courses must be from those approved by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication for the Bachelor of Arts.

First Year

Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 1303 Freshman Composition I 3
HIST 1376 or 1377. The United States to 1877 3
MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 3
HIST 1378 or 1379. The United States since 1877 3
Fine Arts Course 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
Total 15
   

Second Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics 3
Humanities Core Course 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President,Courts 3
HFAC Humanities Course 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Writing Intensive Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15

Third Year

Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 3301. Introduction to Literary Studies 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) British Literature before 1798 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) American Literature before 1900 3
Free Electives 6
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) British Literature before 1798 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) any American Literature 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) 3
Free Electives 6
Total 15
Fourth Year
  
   
Fall Semester Hours
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level)any British Literature 3
English (3000 or 4000 level) 6
HFAC Requirement 6
Total 15
Spring Semester  
English (3000 or 4000 level) 9
HFAC Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15

Bachelor of Arts in English Linguistics Suggested Program

Courses listed here as mathematics/reasoning, natural sciences, humanities, performing and visual arts, and social sciences, must be chosen from courses approved for the core curriculum. The fine arts courses must be from those approved by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication for the Bachelor of Arts.

First Year

Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 3
HIST 1376 or 1377. The United States to 1877 3
MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
Fine Arts Course 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition 3
HIST 1378 or 1379. The United States since 1877 (or equivalent) 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
Total 15

Second Year

Fall Semester Hours
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics 3
Humanities Core Course 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Writing Intensive Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President and Courts 3
Humanities Core Course 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15

Third Year

Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 4300. Introduction to the Study of Language 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) British Literature before 1798 3
English Period/Genre (3000 or 4000 level) 3
Free Electives 6
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 4305. Modern Grammar 3
English (3000 or 4000 level) 3
HFAC Requirement 3
Free Electives 6
Total 15
   

Fourth Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
English Linguistics (3000 or 4000 level) 6
English Period/Genre (3000 or 4000 level) 3
HFAC Requirement 3
Free Electives 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
HFAC Requirement 6
English Linguistics (3000 or 4000 level) 3
Free Electives 6
Total 15

Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing Suggested Program

Courses listed here as mathematics/reasoning, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and visual and performing arts must be chosen from courses approved for the core curriculum. The fine arts courses must be from those approved by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication for the Bachelor of Arts.

   
First Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 3
HIST 1376 or1377. The United States to 1877 3
MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
Fine Arts Course 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 3
HIST 1378 or 1379. The United States since 1877 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
Total 15
   

Second Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics 3
Humanities Core Course 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Writing Intensive Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
POLS 1337. U.S. Government:Congress, President and Courts 3
Humanities Core Course 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
   
Third Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 3330. Beginning Creative Writing: Fiction 3
ENGL 3331. Beginning Creative Writing: Poetry 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level)British Literature before 1798 3
Free Electives 6
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 4350 or 4351. Short Story Writing or Poetry Writing 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) British Literature 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) American Literature before 1900 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) any British Literature 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
   
Fourth Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 4353 or 4354. Writing Projects: Fiction or Writing Projects: Poetry 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) any American Literature 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) 3
HFAC Requirement 6
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 4355 or 4356. Fiction Forms or Poetic Forms 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) 6
HFAC Requirement 6
Total 15

Bachelor of Arts in Preprofessional Studies Suggested Program

Courses listed here as mathematics/reasoning, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and visual and performing arts must be chosen from courses approved for the core curriculum. The fine arts courses must be from those approved by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication for the Bachelor of Arts.

   
First Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 1303. Freshman Composition I 3
HIST 1376 or1377. The United States to 1877 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
MATH 1310. College Algebra 3
Fine Arts Course 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 1304. Freshman Composition II 3
HIST 1378 or 1379. The United States since 1877 3
Foreign Language (2000 level) 3
Visual/Performing Arts Core Course 3
Mathematics/Reasoning Core Course 3
Total 15
   

Second Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics 3
Humanities Core Course 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester  
Humanities Core Course 3
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President,Courts 3
Natural Science Core Course 3
Social Science Core Course 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
   
Third Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
ENGL 3306. Shakespeare: The Major Works 3
ENGL 3302 - 3313 or 4330. British Literature before 1798 3
ENGL 3350 - 3357. American Literature 3
Free Electives 6
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL 3350 - 3357. American Literature 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) any Literature 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) any Writing, Rhetoric, or Criticism 3
HFAC Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
Total 15
   
Fourth Year  
   
Fall Semester Hours
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) any Literature 3
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level) any Writing, Rhetoric, or Criticism 3
English (3000 or 4000 level) 3
HFAC Requirement 6
Total 15
Spring Semester  
ENGL (3000 or 4000 level)any Writing, Rhetoric, or Criticism 3
English (3000 or 4000 level) 6
Free Electives 6
Total 15

Minor in English

A minor in English consists of 15 semester hours of English above the 1000 level with at least 12 at the 3000 and 4000 level. At least nine of the advanced semester hours must be completed in residence. A 2.00 minimum grade point average is required in all courses attempted at the university in the minor field excluding the required freshman courses. Courses to be applied to the minor must be approved by the department.

Advanced Degrees

The University of Houston also offers the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of English. The Master of Arts includes majors in English and American literature, applied English linguistics, and creative writing and literature.

The Doctor of Philosophy includes English and American literature, and literature and creative writing.

For information regarding admission to the graduate programs, degree requirements, and course listing, consult with the director of graduate studies in the Department of English and refer to the Graduate and Professional Studiescatalog.

Language and Culture Center

The Language and Culture Center (LCC), housed in the Department of English, provides noncredit compensatory English language instruction to undergraduate and graduate international students who must improve their reading, writing, grammar, or spoken English language skills to compete successfully in the university classroom. Graduate students who score low on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) direct proficiency oral interview, or other nationally standardized tests may register for courses in reading/writing, pronunciation, and teaching styles in higher education.

LCC courses do not count toward a degree, but do count toward full-time student status for immigration reporting purposes, and for calculation of building use and student service fees.

Files Archived: October, 2001

For applications and admissions information: admissions@uh.edu

Undergraduate Catalog Online Disclaimer
Undergraduate Catalog Online at University of Houston
Comments to: academics@uh.edu