Students choose to major in English because they love to read and write, and want to explore the processes by which language constructs the world in which they live. The program for English majors builds on these passions by developing the skills of attentive reading, thoughtful analysis, graceful writing, and original creative productions.

The analytical tools developed in the English major illuminate both literary texts and the societies in which they are produced. Our majors study the American, British, and Anglophone traditions, just as they learn to interpret women’s writing, the poetics of the blues, and literary technologies from Gutenberg to digital.

By encouraging students to apply their interpretive and writing skills in multiple contexts, the English major prepares students to enter a wider variety of careers, to succeed in graduate or professional study, and to become engaged global citizens.

The creative writing minor offers students the option to focus on their own creative process and development towards life-long artistic involvement while sharpening their overall writing skills for all walks of life. Up to two courses may count simultaneously toward the English major and the creative writing minor. Ursinus College strongly believes that a rigorous content-based major is the best preparation for a creative life. The creative writing minor is designed to work in harmony with any Ursinus major. This interdisciplinarity fosters a richness of diversity, focus and collaboration that benefits the entire creative writing program.

Requirements for English Majors

Students majoring in English must complete ten courses, comprising six required ENGL courses, plus four elective courses.

Required English courses:

• ENGL-290W and one other ENGL course between 220 and 260;
• at least three 300-level colloquia, including one focusing on literature before 1800 and one focusing on literature after 1800 (ENGL-301 may count as a colloquium);
• ENGL-440W or 492W.

Elective courses may include any of the following: all ENGL or ENCW courses; EAS-224; FS-101, 250, 251, 252, 253, 305; IDS-290; LAS-215; MCS-207, 208; THEA-300W, 301W.

One DN or GN course offered in ENGL/ENCW is required in addition to the college’s DN/GN core requirement. Majors are encouraged to fulfill both requirements within the major.

English majors can fulfill both the capstone requirement and the requirement for an oral presentation in the major by taking ENGL-440W or ENGL492W.

Teacher Certification

Students seeking teaching certification in English for grades 7-12 must fulfill all departmental requirements for an English major. Their courses should include literary genres, themes, and histories. In addition, students working toward certification must take the following courses: ENGL-214; and either MCS-205, or any FS course. Students are strongly recommended to take either ENGL-220 or a 300-level colloquium on Shakespeare and ENGL-301. It is also strongly recommended that the candidate participate in student journalism or theater activities. Students and their advisers should consult the Ursinus College Education Department.

Requirements for Minor in English

A minor concentration in English consists of at least five courses in English at the 200 level or above. No more than one creative writing course may be included in the English minor. ENGL-290W is strongly recommended.

Requirements for Minor in Creative Writing

A minor concentration in Creative Writing consists of at least five Creative Writing courses, completed by a capstone experience of ENCW-420 or ENCW- 494W.

One of the CW courses below the 400-level may be replaced by the following: Any ENGL course; MCS-207, 208; or IDS-290. Up to two ENCW courses may count toward both the Creative Writing Minor and the English major. Participation required at staff level on The Grizzly (demonstrated by receiving one or more credits in MCS-009 –016) or The Lantern (demonstrated by a listing as editor or reader in one or more issues).