English Major Requirements
Prospective majors are expected to consult with the associate chair for undergraduate studies in designing a program that satisfies their individual interests, abilities, and ambitions; if appropriate, a particular requirement may be waived to meet a student’s special programmatic needs. English majors intending to continue their studies in graduate school are urged to plan with the coordinator a program that meets graduate school expectations and prepares them for the Graduate Record Exam.
Students entering with advanced standing are required to earn at least 15 credits in English courses numbered 300 and above while in residence at UWM.
Credit Requirements
All courses taken towards the major must be at or above the 300 level unless otherwise noted. Students must complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.
English majors also must complete one of the following tracks. In each track, in their senior year, majors complete a capstone course or senior seminar. This course includes one or more in-depth writing assignments or projects that include a research component, which satisfies the research requirement for the L&S degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: | 36 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Tracks
Track A: Literary and Cultural Theory
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| Select one of the following in English literature from before 1900 and one in pre-1800 literature: | 6 | |
| Survey of English Literature, Beginnings to 1500 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1500-1660 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1660-1798 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1798-1900 | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Milton | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1500-1660: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1660-1798: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1798-1900: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1660-1800: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1800-1900: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Survey of American Literature, 1865-1965 | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1500-1900: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of Current Literary and Cultural Theory | ||
| Classical Film Criticism and Theory | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: | ||
| Theories of Language and Literature: | ||
| The Rhetoric of Argument | ||
| Studies in Theory and Criticism: | ||
| Seminar in Critical Theory: | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Survey of Irish Literature | ||
| LGBTQ+ Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature to 1930 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Women Writers: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in Irish Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in World Literature Written in English: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Irish Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Literature by Women: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in African-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop | ||
| Topics in Advanced Communications: | ||
| Creative Nonfiction for Publication | ||
| Editing and Publishing | ||
| Rhetoric and Professional Writing | ||
| Technical Documentation | ||
| Project Management for Professional Writers | ||
| Advanced Research Writing | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Fiction | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Poetry: | ||
| Select one of the following capstone seminars (satisfies L&S research requirement): | 3 | |
| Seminar in Irish Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Modern Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Literary History: | ||
| Seminar in Critical Theory: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Culture: | ||
| Seminar in Literature by Women: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and the Other Arts: | ||
| Seminar in African-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Rhetoric and Professional Writing: | ||
| Honors Seminar: | ||
| 9 credits in English electives are required for the major. Students can take 9 credits at the 300 level and above, or 6 credits at the 300 level and above, and 3 credits in a 200-level literature course selected from the following: | 9 | |
| English Writers, 1800 to the Present | ||
| Introduction to Literature by Women: | ||
| The Life, Times, and Work of a Literary Artist: | ||
| Literature and Human Experience: | ||
| Literature and Contemporary Life: | ||
| Fantasy in Literature: | ||
| Science Fiction: | ||
| Introduction to Poetry: | ||
| Introduction to Short Stories: | ||
| Introduction to Drama: | ||
| Introduction to the Novel: | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Studies: | ||
| Literary Forms and Genres: | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Minority Literature: | ||
| Introduction to World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Introduction to African-American Literature: | ||
| Modern Irish Language and Literature in Translation | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Track B: Rhetoric and Professional Writing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| ENGLISH 240 | Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture: | 3 |
| ENGLISH 310 | Writing, Speaking, and Technoscience in the 21st Century | 3 |
| ENGLISH 633 | Seminar in Rhetoric and Professional Writing: (subtitle) (capstone seminar experience) (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| Select 18 credits in Rhetoric, Professional Writing, and Media Studies (only 6 credits may be at the 200-level) | 18 | |
| Business Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Health Science Writing | ||
| Game Culture | ||
| Media and Society: | ||
| Introduction to English Linguistics | ||
| Language, Power, and Identity | ||
| Professional and Technical Communications Research | ||
| Writing for Nonprofits | ||
| Topics in Advanced Communications: (Rhetorical History and Theory) | ||
| The Rhetoric of Argument | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop | ||
| Creative Nonfiction for Publication | ||
| Rhetoric and Professional Writing | ||
| Technical Documentation | ||
| Project Management for Professional Writers | ||
| Editing and Publishing | ||
| Information Design | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Technical Editing | ||
| Global Business Communications | ||
| Technical Communications Theory and Practice | ||
| Internship in the Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credits in Diversity and Community Studies | 6 | |
| World Cinema: | ||
| LGBTQ+ Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature to 1930 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Women Writers: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in World Literature Written in English: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| The Story Experience | ||
| Seminar in Literature by Women: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in African-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Track C: Creative Writing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Literary Journal Production | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| The Art of Fiction: | ||
| The Development of the Novel: | ||
| The Development of the Short Story | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| The Development of Drama: | ||
| Comedy: | ||
| Modern Drama: | ||
| The Art of Poetry: | ||
| The Development of Poetry: | ||
| Survey of Current Literary and Cultural Theory | ||
| Readings for Writers: | ||
| Literature and the Other Arts: | ||
| Studies in Theory and Criticism: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of English Literature, Beginnings to 1500 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1500-1660 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1660-1798 | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Milton | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1500-1660: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1660-1798: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1660-1800: | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Survey of English Literature, 1798-1900 | ||
| Survey of English Literature: 1900 to the Present | ||
| Survey of Irish Literature | ||
| Survey of American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Survey of American Literature, 1865-1965 | ||
| Survey of Contemporary American Literature | ||
| LGBTQ+ Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1798-1900: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1900 to the Present: | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1500-1900: | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1900 to the Present: (subtitle) | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Women Writers: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1800-1900: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in Irish Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in World Literature Written in English: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Select 3 credits in an upper-level English elective | 3 | |
| ENGLISH 615 | Advanced Workshop in Fiction (capstone experience) (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| or ENGLISH 616 | Advanced Workshop in Poetry: | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Please Note: In order to register for the ENGLISH 615 or ENGLISH 616 capstone (see below), students must have completed successfully two 400-level workshops (ENGLISH 414, ENGLISH 415, ENGLISH 416) as follows:
- Prerequisites for ENGLISH 615 fiction capstone: ENGLISH 415 and one of the following: a second section of ENGLISH 415 or ENGLISH 414 or ENGLISH 416.
- Prerequisites for ENGLISH 616 poetry capstone: ENGLISH 416 and one of the following: a second section of ENGLISH 416 or ENGLISH 414 or ENGLISH 415.
- Students may not take the two required 400-level workshops in the same semester, and they may not take either of them concurrently with ENGLISH 615/ENGLISH 616.
Track H: Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Introduction to Television Studies | ||
| Game Culture | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of English Literature, Beginnings to 1500 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1500-1660 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1660-1798 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1798-1900 | ||
| Survey of English Literature: 1900 to the Present | ||
| Survey of Irish Literature | ||
| Survey of American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Survey of American Literature, 1865-1965 | ||
| Survey of Contemporary American Literature | ||
| The Art of Fiction: | ||
| The Development of the Novel: | ||
| The Development of the Short Story | ||
| LGBTQ+ Literature: | ||
| World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Language, Power, and Identity | ||
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
ENGLISH 451 - ENGLISH 547 | ||
| ENGLISH 390 | Classical Film Criticism and Theory | 3 |
| or ENGLISH 391 | Television Criticism and Theory | |
| Select 12 credits in media, cinema, and digital studies (including at least 3 credits from each area and no more than 3 credits in 200-level courses): | 12 | |
| Media | ||
| Writing about Film and Television | ||
| Introduction to Television Studies (if not selected above) | ||
| Media and Society: | ||
| Television Criticism and Theory | ||
| Entertainment Industries: | ||
| Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: | ||
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: (Zines and Self-Publishing) | ||
| Topics in Advanced Communications: (with appropriate subtitle) (Contact Track H Coordinator) | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Film and Television Studies: (with appropriate subtitle) | ||
| Cinema | ||
| Writing about Film and Television | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies (if not selected above) | ||
| Women and Film | ||
| Topics in Film, Television and Digital Studies: | ||
| World Cinema: | ||
| Studies in Film and Television Authorship: | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| Cinema, Television, and Genre: | ||
| Classical Film Criticism and Theory | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: (Screenwriting – Story/Structure) | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Film and Television Studies: (with appropriate subtitle) | ||
| Global Jewish Film and Television: | ||
| Global Cinema and Media: | ||
| Screening Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Cinema and Media: (if not selected as capstone) | ||
| Digital Studies | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Game Culture (if not selected above) | ||
| Topics in Film, Television and Digital Studies: (Cinema and Digital Studies) | ||
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: (Animated Texts) | ||
| Technical Documentation | ||
| Literature and the Other Arts: (From Dada to the Web) | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Film and Television Studies: (with appropriate subtitle) | ||
| Select 6 credits in upper-level electives | 6 | |
| FILMSTD 690 | Seminar in Contemporary Cinema and Media: (capstone seminar experience) (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Track O: Open Focus
At least 3 credits in literature must be in a period before 1900. They can be taken in American Literature, British Literature or any other literature course in the English department. Students can take up to 9 credits in 200-level English courses to satisfy the 36 credits for the major. This includes ENGLISH 215 which is a requirement and non-substitutable. ENGLISH 192 can be substituted for 3 of the 9 credits in 200-level courses.
Students must also complete a 3 credit capstone seminar at the 600 level (612, 615 - 616, 620 - 633, 685, 690), which may be in any of the areas listed below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| American Literature | 3 | |
| Select one of the following courses in American Literature | ||
| Literary Forms and Genres: | ||
| Literature and the Other Arts: | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Minority Literature: | ||
| Introduction to World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Introduction to African-American Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Survey of American Literature, 1865-1965 | ||
| Survey of Contemporary American Literature | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature to 1930 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1500-1900: | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1900 to the Present: | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in African-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Indian Literature: | ||
| British Literature | 3 | |
| Select one of the following courses in British Literature | ||
| English Writers, 1800 to the Present | ||
| Survey of English Literature, Beginnings to 1500 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1500-1660 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1660-1798 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1798-1900 | ||
| Survey of English Literature: 1900 to the Present | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Seminar in Rhetoric and Professional Writing: | ||
| Milton | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1500-1660: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1660-1798: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1798-1900: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1660-1800: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1800-1900: | ||
| Minority, Women's or World Literature | 3 | |
| Select one of the following courses in Minority, Women’s or World Literature | ||
| Introduction to Literature by Women: | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Minority Literature: | ||
| Introduction to World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Introduction to African-American Literature: | ||
| Modern Irish Language and Literature in Translation | ||
| Survey of Irish Literature | ||
| LGBTQ+ Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature to 1930 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Women Writers: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in Irish Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in World Literature Written in English: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Irish Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Culture: | ||
| Seminar in Literature by Women: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in African-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Theory and Criticism | 3 | |
| Select one of the following courses in Theory and Criticism | ||
| Survey of Current Literary and Cultural Theory | ||
| Classical Film Criticism and Theory | ||
| Television Criticism and Theory | ||
| Entertainment Industries: | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: * | ||
| Studies in Theory and Criticism: | ||
| Seminar in Critical Theory: | ||
| Rhetoric, Professional, Technical or Creative Writing | 6 | |
| Select two of the following courses in Rhetoric, Professional, Technical or Creative Writing | ||
| Strategies for Academic Writing | ||
| Business Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Health Science Writing | ||
| Global Englishes | ||
| Grammar and Usage | ||
| Writing in the Professions: | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture: | ||
| Writing, Speaking, and Technoscience in the 21st Century | ||
| Introduction to English Linguistics | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| Theories of Language and Literature: | ||
| Survey of Modern English Grammar | ||
| Language, Power, and Identity | ||
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Literary Journal Production | ||
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Professional and Technical Communications Research | ||
| Writing for Nonprofits | ||
| Strategic Writing for Organizations | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop | ||
| Topics in Advanced Communications: | ||
| The Rhetoric of Argument | ||
| Creative Nonfiction for Publication | ||
| Editing and Publishing | ||
| Rhetoric and Professional Writing | ||
| Technical Documentation | ||
| Project Management for Professional Writers | ||
| Advanced Research Writing | ||
| Information Design | ||
| Writing Center Tutoring Practicum | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Technical Editing | ||
| The Composing Process: | ||
| Global Business Communications | ||
| Technical Communications Theory and Practice | ||
| Internship in the Humanities | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Fiction | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Poetry: | ||
| Seminar in Rhetoric and Professional Writing: | ||
| Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies | 6 | |
| Select two of the following courses in Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies | ||
| Writing about Film and Television | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Introduction to Television Studies | ||
| Classic Dramas in Film: | ||
| Game Culture | ||
| Women and Film | ||
| Topics in Film, Television and Digital Studies: | ||
| World Cinema: | ||
| Studies in Film and Television Authorship: | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| Media and Society: | ||
| Cinema, Television, and Genre: | ||
| Classical Film Criticism and Theory | ||
| Television Criticism and Theory | ||
| Entertainment Industries: | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: * | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Film and Television Studies: | ||
| Global Jewish Film and Television: | ||
| Global Cinema and Media: | ||
| Screening Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Cinema and Media: | ||
| English Electives | 9 | |
| 9 credits in English electives are required for the major. | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- *
This course is listed in more than one category. It may count in only one category.
Cross-listed Courses
The following courses offered by other departments may be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major or minor in English. Only 3 credits in courses from Communication, Theatre, Women's and Gender Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Studies, and Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies will count toward the English major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 300 | Interviewers and Interviewing | 3 |
| COMMUN 313 | Human Communication and Technology | 3 |
| COMMUN 410 | Organizational Communication Technology | 3 |
| JAMS 306 | Feature and Magazine Article Writing: | 3 |
| JAMS 562 | Media Studies and Culture | 3 |
| LGBT 599 | Selected Topics in LGBT Studies: | 3 |
| THEATRE 359 | Playwriting | 3 |
| WGS 301 | Queer Theory | 3 |
Related Courses
The following courses offered by other departments may be of interest to students in English, but may not be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major or minor in English:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 105 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| JAMS 201 | Media Writing | 3 |
| JAMS 231 | Publication Design | 3 |