Studying English today is just as satisfying, and just as hard, as it ever was. It is also new and different in exciting ways. The study of language, writing, and literature offers new choices and new kinds of connections to the world and to your life.
At Wyoming an English major will study Shakespeare, Chaucer, and much more that has been at the traditional heart of English -- along with newer courses in such subjects as literature in English written in Africa, science fiction films (and their deep psychology and politics), and women writers of many times and places. In any English course the work of understanding and the play of ideas will connect you to much of the rest of the intellectual excitement available in the University, in such areas as art, politics, philosophy, gender studies, religious studies. If you look closely, maybe even agriculture or, believe it or not, math, may be taught in the English Department!
English courses all require extensive writing, and often re-writing, as students work out their own ideas and sharpen their all-purpose writing skills. Those writing skills are extremely useful, and, in our society today, they are unfortunately rare (and much valued by employers). Students may take courses in creative writing of poetry or fiction or literary non-fiction as well.
The University of Wyoming English Department has many teachers widely recognized for excellence and for the excitement in their classes. They have different interests and points of view. Studying English is a stimulating conversation. We invite you to join us.
Within the framework below, each student should construct, with the help and approval of the adviser, a balanced and coherent program.
*Students should consult with their advisor to declare a track before their junior year.
1. Gateway to the English Major - ENGL 2025: Introduction to English Studies (COM2). 3 hours
An introduction to all the English major has to offer! Students will learn about literature, rhetoric, writing, and culture, and will read and discuss exciting texts with a small group of colleagues.
2. Historical Period Classes. 15 hours
Take any two of the following seven “broad historical sweep” survey courses:
ENGL 2425
ENGL 2430
ENGL 2435
ENGL 2340
ENGL 2350
ENGL 2360
ENGL 2440
Take any three of the following five upper-division historical period courses:
ENGL 3200
ENGL 3300
ENGL 3400
ENGL 3500
ENGL 3600
The focus of each of these upper-division classes will vary by instructor. Prerequisites for the upper-division classes are COM1, ENGL 2025 (COM2), and 3 additional 2000-level literature credits (i.e. one of the 2000-level courses listed in the “broad historical sweep” category above).
*Note: 2340, 2350, and 2360 can be taken as Expanding the Canon OR as Historical Period courses. They will default to the former in your Degree Evaluation, so please let your advisor know to inform the Registrar if you would prefer to take them as Historical Period options.
3. Expanding the Canon Classes. 6 hours
Examples of these course offerings include ENGL 3330, 3710, 4450, 4455, 4470, 4640:
Postcolonial Literature, and 4830. A complete list of courses that fulfill requirements
in this category will be published each semester, since offerings vary by term.
4. Literary Studies Methods Course - ENGL 3000: Literary Theory. 3 hours
An introduction to critical theory, with a focus on major contemporary theorists.
Students will learn how to apply theory to literature and cultural artifacts.
5. Electives. 6 hours
Students can select from any of our courses for credit in this category; one of the
two electives must be in either Rhetoric & Composition (2005, 2035, 2125, 3020, 4000,
4010, 4020, 4025, 4030, 4061, 4075) or Creative Writing (CW).
6. Capstone Course - ENGL 4999: Senior Seminar (COM3). 3 hours
An intensive seminar course that is taken in small groups, conducted in workshop format, and that emphasizes cohort-building. Faculty will teach their research and will model for students the pursuit of an area of specialization.
Sample topics include Political Theater, Moby-Dick, Writing the City, Jane Austen, etc.
Total hours. 36
Note: At least 21 of the 36 credit hours must be upper division (3000-level or higher).
Whereas the Literary Studies track focuses on the study of literature, the English Studies track balances literary studies with coursework in rhetoric & composition and writing studies. All English Education students will take the English Studies track.
1. Gateway to the English Major - ENGL 2025: Introduction to English (COM2). 3 hours
An introduction to all the English major has to offer! Students will learn about literature, rhetoric, writing, and culture, and will read and discuss exciting texts with a small group of colleagues.
2. Historical Period Classes. 12 hours
Take any one of the following seven “broad historical sweep” survey courses:
ENGL 2425
ENGL 2430
ENGL 2435
ENGL 2340
ENGL 2350
ENGL 2360
ENGL 2440
Take any three of the following five upper-division historical period courses:
ENGL 3200
ENGL 3300
ENGL 3400
ENGL 3500
ENGL 3600
The focus of each of these upper-division classes will vary by instructor. Prerequisites for the upper-division classes are COM1, ENGL 2025 (COM2), and 3 additional 2000-level literature credits (i.e. one of the 2000-level courses listed in the “broad historical sweep” category above).
*Note: 2340, 2350, and 2360 can be taken as Expanding the Canon OR as Historical Period courses. They will default to the former in your Degree Evaluation, so please let
your advisor know to inform the Registrar if you would prefer to take them as Historical Period options.
3. Expanding the Canon Classes. 6 hours
Examples of these course offerings include ENGL 3330, 3710, 4450, 4455, 4470, 4640: Postcolonial Literature, and 4830. A complete list of courses that fulfill requirements in this category will be published each semester, since offerings vary by term.
4. English Studies Methods Course - ENGL 3010: Approaches to Rhetoric, Composition Pedagogy, and Professional Writing. 3 hours
An introduction to common methods, concepts, and theories emphasized in these interrelated intellectual traditions. The course prepares students to design a multimodal research project.
5. Foundations of Language. 3 hours
One class in History of English Language or Social Linguistics
6. Electives. 6 hours
2 courses from the list of Rhetoric/Composition/Professional Writing courses offered by English and approved courses offered by other departments. Examples: 2005, 2035, 2125, 3020, 4000, 4010, 4020, 4025, 4030, 4061, and 4075.
7. Capstone Course - ENGL 4999: Senior Seminar (COM3). 3 hours
An intensive seminar course that is taken in small groups, conducted in workshop format, and that emphasizes cohort-building. Faculty will teach their research and will model for students the pursuit of an area of specialization.
Sample topics include Political Theater, Moby-Dick, Writing the City, Jane Austen, etc.
Total hours. 36
Note: At least 21 of the 36 credit hours must be upper division (3000-level or higher).
In addition, in order to introduce its majors to language, culture, and comparative literature, the English department requires three semesters of a single foreign language. The choice of language should be made in consultation with the student's advisor and in consideration of career plans. For instance, students planning graduate study in literature may wish to choose a relevant modern or classical language. Or, a student in disability studies may substitute American Sign Language or Braille with permission of the assistant chair.
Only those courses in which a grade of "C" or better has been earned may count toward the 36 hours and the 12 hours of foreign language required for the B.A. (the B.S. is not offered).
Students wishing to concentrate in literary studies, including students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in English, should attempt to take the following upper-division courses: a course in Chaucer or in Medieval literature; a Shakespeare course; another course in English literature before 1800 (exclusive of Chaucer and Shakespeare); a course in 19th-Century English literature; two courses in American literature; a course in literature after 1900; the Senior Seminar; a course in emerging fields and approaches.
Advanced standing in English is required for all majors prior to taking the senior seminar (ENGL 4999). To be eligible for advanced standing in English, the student must have completed 24 hours of English coursework above COM1, including the required survey courses (ENGL 2425, 2430, 2435). Each course must have been passed with a grade of C or better. Approved transfer courses from other institutions will satisfy the prerequisites for advanced standing. ENGL 4999 should be taken in the next to last semester before graduation.
