- Small classes in British and American literature, World literature, Rhetoric, and Theory
- Internship opportunities
- Excellent pre-law track
- Preparation for M.A. or Ph.D. programs in English Literature & Language
- Preparation for careers in corporate communications, grant-writing and non-profits, advertising, publishing, personnel management and more
Faculty contact: Dr. Paul Jones
Major Code: BA5223
Program Overview
In the English – Literature, Culture, & Writing major, students develop 21st-century skills in analysis and writing by engaging in critical dialogue with the traditions, conventions, and cultural contexts of British and American literary texts.
Small-enrollment courses in the literature of different historical periods draw connections between the past and present and allow students to practice collaborative learning, pursue complex ideas, and deepen their pleasure in language and writing—both others’ and their own.
The major is also flexible enough to match students' interest and goals: students can fulfill up to 9 of the required hours in the major with creative writing workshops, courses in rhetoric or visual texts, or apprenticeship or internship experiences. Like all majors in the English Department, the English – Literature, Culture, & Writing major includes the English Core to provide a solid foundation in literary genres and research.
Careers and Graduate School
Having honed their ability to grasp complexity, communicate clearly, understand multiple contexts, and provide synthetic answers, graduates of the English – Literature, Culture, & Writing program are prepared to pursue a wide variety of careers.
Many graduates go on to pursue graduate programs, including M.A. or Ph.D. programs in English Literature & Language, master’s programs in information science or education, and law or business school.
Others work in publishing, web content development, corporate communications, grant-writing and community organizing, advertising, or personnel management. As importantly, the well-rounded education that OHIO requires of its English students can help ensure that they are ready for the unexpected challenges of a rapidly-changing job market.
Browse through dozens of internship opportunities and full-time job postings for Ohio University students and alumni on Handshake , OHIO's key resource for researching jobs, employers, workshops, and professional development events.
Admission Information
Freshman/First-Year Admission: Enrollment in an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements.
Change of Program Policy:For students currently enrolled at Ohio University, transferring into an English major requires a 2.0 GPA. Students choosing to transfer into the English – Literature, Culture, and Writing major should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English department for assistance. Students who wish to add an English major in addition to another major program should seek assistance from the director of undergraduate studies; students with a second major outside the College of Arts and Sciences will be responsible for meeting the degree requirements of both the English – Literature, Culture, and Writing major and the College of Arts and Sciences.
External Transfer Admission:For students currently enrolled at institutions other than Ohio University, transferring into an English major entails no requirements beyond University admission requirements. Students should contact the director of undergraduate studies in the English Department for assistance.
Degree Requirements
University-wide Graduation Requirements
To complete this program, students must meet all University-wide graduation requirements.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Distribution Requirement
View the College-Level Requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences.
English Hours Requirement
For a B.A. degree with a major in English, a student must complete a total of 42 semester credit hours in ENG coursework.
English Department Core Requirements
Complete the following requirements with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Intercultural Foundations
Complete the following course:
- ENG 1100 - Crossing Cultures with Text Credit Hours: 3
Literary Reading
Complete the following courses:
- ENG 2010 - Introduction to Prose Fiction and Nonfiction Credit Hours: 3.0
- ENG 2020 - Introduction to Poetry and Drama Credit Hours: 3.0
British or American Literature I
Complete one of the following courses:
- ENG 2510 - British Literature I Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 2530 - American Literature I Credit Hours: 3
British or American Literature II
Complete one of the following courses:
- ENG 2520 - British Literature II Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 2540 - American Literature II Credit Hours: 3
Intercultural Breadth
Complete one of the following courses:
- ENG 3240 - Jewish American Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3250 - Women’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3260 - Queer Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3270 - Queer Rhetorics and Writing Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3370 - Black Literature to 1930 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3380 - Ethnic American Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3390 - Black Literature from 1930 to the Present Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3450 - Intercultural Adaptations Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3550 - Global Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3850 - Writing About Culture and Society Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4660 - International Authors Credit Hours: 3
Writing and Research
Complete the following course:
- ENG 3070J - Writing and Research in English Studies Credit Hours: 3.0
Senior Seminar
Complete one of the following courses:
- ENG 4600 - Topics in English Studies Credit Hours: 3.0
- ENG 4640 - British Authors Credit Hours: 3.0
- ENG 4650 - American Authors Credit Hours: 3.0
- ENG 4660 - International Authors Credit Hours: 3.0
Concentration Requirements
Complete the following requirements with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Literature
Complete one of the following courses. Courses used to meet another major requirement cannot also be used to meet this requirement.
- ENG 3010 - Shakespeare Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3020 - Topics in Shakespeare Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3040 - English Bible Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3110 - English Literature to 1500 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3120 - English Literature: 1500-1660 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3130 - English Literature: 1660-1800 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3140 - English Literature: 1800-1900 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3150 - English Literature: 1900 to Present Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3210 - American Literature to 1865 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3220 - American Literature: 1865-1918 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3230 - American Literature: 1918 to Present Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3240 - Jewish American Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3250 - Women’s Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3260 - Queer Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3270 - Queer Rhetorics and Writing Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3350 - Irish Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3370 - Black Literature to 1930 Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3380 - Ethnic American Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3390 - Black Literature from 1930 to the Present Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3450 - Intercultural Adaptations Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3550 - Global Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3560 - Young Adult Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3570 - Law and Literature Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4640 - British Authors Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4650 - American Authors Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4660 - International Authors Credit Hours: 3
Experiential Writing
Complete one of the following courses:
- ENG 3650 - Introduction to Literary Editing and Publishing Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3860 - Composing in New Media Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 3870C - Composing for the Community Credit Hours: 3
- ENG 4910 - English Internship Credit Hours: 1 - 9
- ENG 4940 - Research Apprenticeship in English Studies Credit Hours: 1 - 9
- ENG 4990H - English Departmental Honors Credit Hours: 3
Literary Theory
Complete the following course:
- ENG 3990 - Literary Theory and Ethical Practice Credit Hours: 3
Electives
Complete at least twelve credit hours of ENG courses, excluding ENG 2800, ENG 3***J, ENG 4510, ENG 4520, ENG 4911, and ENG 4912. Six credit hours may be at the 2000-level or higher; six credit hours must be taken at the 3000-level or higher, excluding ENG 3***J, ENG 4510, ENG 4520, ENG 4911, and ENG 4912.