Undergraduate English Curriculum
Small, discussion-based classes cover a diversity of topics as part of the curriculum for Saint Louis University undergraduate students pursuing a major or minor in SLU's Department of English.
B.A. in English
Coordinator: Paul Lynch, Ph.D.
The English, B.A. degree requires 30 credits in ENGL.
The English major curriculum consists of four required courses (12 credits), two courses with early and late texts and contexts attributes (six credits), and four elective courses (12 credits).
Major Requirements
Four required three-credit courses, including:
- ENGL 3000 Encountering English
- ENGL 3020 Shapes of English
- ENGL 4140 Reading & Writing Justice
- ENGL 4960 Senior Capstone Workshop
Early and Late Texts and Contexts Courses
One course, three credits, with the early texts and contexts attribute, such as:
- ENGL 3250 British Literary Traditions to 1800
- ENGL 3270 American Literary Traditions to 1865
- ENGL 3310 World Literary Traditions I
- ENGL 3470 Introduction to Shakespeare
- ENGL 3570 Writing Sex in the Middle Ages
- ENGL 4035 Histories of Persuasion
- ENGL 4100 History of the English Language
- ENGL 4290 Topics in Medieval Literature
- ENGL 4350 17th Century Literature
One course, three credits, with the late texts and contexts attribute, such as:
- ENGL 3260 British Literary Traditions after 1800
- ENGL 3280 American Literatures after 1865
- ENGL 3500 Literature of the Postcolonial World
- ENGL 3520 African American Literary Traditions II: After 1900
- ENGL 3625 The Sacramental Imagination: Modern American Catholicism in Literature, Rhetoric, and Film
- ENGL 4500 The Age of Romanticism
- ENGL 4530 Medicine, Mind, and Victorian Fiction
- ENGL 4720 Contemporary American Literature
- ENGL 4830 Post-1900 African American Literature
Electives
Twelve credits of elective courses in English are required for the English major.
Students can complete the electives as listed below or complete a concentration by substituting concentration courses for electives as needed.
One ENGL course, three credits, at the 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level
Three ENGL courses, nine credits, at the 3000- or 4000-level
Continuation Standards
All English courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher to count for English major requirements and for the student to continue in the major.
Concentrations Within the English Major
Students are not required to declare a concentration in the major; students may earn the general B.A. in English by successfully completing the requirements outlined above. However, students may add concentrations in creative writing, research-intensive English, or rhetoric, writing and technology. Students who choose a concentration will complete the courses required for the general B.A. in English, but will substitute concentration courses for elective courses as needed.
Coordinator: Devin Johnston, Ph.D.
Students choose nine credits of ENGL courses at the 3000- and/or 4000-level with the creative writing attribute, such as:
- ENGL 3050 Creative Writing: Poetry
- ENGL 3060 Creative Writing: Fiction
- ENGL 3070 Creative Writing: Drama
- ENGL 3080 Creative Writing: Non-Fiction
- ENGL 3100 Topics in Creative Writing
- ENGL 4050 The Craft of Poetry
- ENGL 4060 The Craft of Fiction
- ENGL 4070 The Craft of Creative Writing
- ENGL 4120 Writing with Style
Students choose three credits of either an elective ENGL literature course at the 2000, 3000, or 4000 levels or an additional ENGL course with the creative writing attribute, such as those listed above.
Total creative writing concentration credits: 12
Coordinator: Nathaniel Rivers, Ph.D.
Students choose four ENGL courses, 12 credits, at the 3000- or 4000-level with the rhetoric, writing and technology attribute, such as:
- ENGL 3850 Persuasive Writing
- ENGL 3875 Conflict Writing
- ENGL 3854 Living Writing
- ENGL 3859 Writing Consulting: Forms, Theories, Practice
- ENGL 3860 Public Writing
- ENGL 4000 Professional Writing
- ENGL 4010 New Media Writing
- ENGL 4025 Technical Writing
- ENGL 4035 Histories of Persuasion
- ENGL 4120 Writing with Style
Coordinator: Ruth Evans, Ph.D.
You can apply to our selective research-intensive English concentration during your sophomore or junior year. A maximum cohort of 12 English majors are admitted to the concentration each academic year, allowing our students to pursue literary and rhetorical studies in smaller, more rigorous settings.
To apply for the English honors concentration, you must have completed at least two semesters at SLU and have maintained a 3.5 GPA in English courses. Your application will be considered based upon the strength of a writing sample and your past performance in English courses.
RIE Curriculum
Two ENGL courses at the 4000 level with the research-intensive English attribute. Six credits.
ENGL 4990 Senior Honors Project OR another ENGL course at the 4000 level with the Research Intensive English attribute. Three credits.
Total credits: nine
All research-intensive English seminars automatically count as honors courses. You can be enrolled in both research-intensive English and the University Honors Program, but you are not required to be in the University Honors Program to be accepted into the English honors program.
Senior Honors Project (ENGL 4990)
If you choose to complete ENGL 4990: Senior Honors Project, you will formally propose a senior honors project in the semester prior to writing the project, in consultation with a full-time member of the English department faculty. The project counts for the University Honors Program thesis requirement. You may choose to do a critical, creative or rhetorical project.
3+3 Accelerated English B.A/J.D
The English department now offers a 3+3 accelerated program in partnership with the Saint Louis University School of Law. Eligible students can complete a B.A. in English and J.D. in six years. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- 3+3 Accelerated English B.A/J.D. Informational Flyer
- 3+3 Accelerated English B.A./J.D. Application Form
English, B.A. to English, M.A. Accelerated Program
Saint Louis University’s combined English B.A./M.A. program will allow English majors to begin M.A. coursework as part of their undergraduate degree to complete the M.A. program in one year. The accelerated program will provide a master’s opportunity for majors interested in teaching in private schools or pursuing other professional careers. It will also provide an opportunity to finish the master’s more efficiently before beginning a Ph.D. program.
Students wishing to apply to this ABM program should have completed at least 60 credit hours at the time of application. They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in their overall transcript and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their English coursework.
To apply, students must submit the following materials to the English graduate coordinator:
- A 750-word professional goal statement (a more detailed description is available in the catalog’s overview of English M.A. admissions criteria)
- A writing sample of approximately 10 pages
- A current CV or resume
- The names of at least three members of the English department faculty with whom the student has taken a 3xxx or 4xxx-level course.
While students in the ABM program retain undergraduate status, the policies for continuation in the program will mirror those already in place for continuation in the bachelor’s program, except that they must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in both the major and overall transcript with no more than one grade of “C” or below and carry no more than one “I” incomplete grade or missing grade into a new semester. Students who drop below these standards while in the ABM program would be able to seek a one-semester probationary period before being dropped from the ABM program. Once formally becoming an M.A. student, the continuation standards of that program would apply. Students must also complete at least 12 graded credit hours per year until coursework requirements have been met.
English Minors
The minor in English requires 15 credits in ENGL.
Required Courses
- ENGL 3000 Encountering English. Three credits.
- ENGL 3020 Shapes of English. Three credits.
- ENGL 4140 Reading & Writing Justice. Three credits.
Elective Courses
- ENGL 2XXX or ENGL 3XXX course. Three credits
- ENGL 4XXX course. Three credits.
The creative writing minor requires 15 credits in literature and creative writing courses.
Required Literature Courses
Six credits are required:
- ENGL 3020 Shapes of English. Three credits.
- One ENGL 2000-, 3000-, or 4000-level elective literature course. Three credits.
Required Creative Writing Courses
Three 3000- or 4000-level ENGL courses (nine credits) with the English creative writing attribute, such as:
- ENGL 3050 Creative Writing: Poetry
- ENGL 3060 Creative Writing: Fiction
- ENGL 3070 Creative Writing: Drama
- ENGL 3080 Creative Writing: Non-Fiction
- ENGL 3100 Topics in Creative Writing
- ENGL 4050 The Craft of Poetry
- ENGL 4060 The Craft of Fiction
- ENGL 4070 The Craft of Creative Writing
- ENGL 4120 Writing with Style
Study in Madrid
Students who major in English at SLU can easily fit a semester or full year abroad on the University’s campus in Madrid into their plans of study.
Studying in Madrid is an especially attractive option for SLU English majors, as you can take courses that satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences core requirements and courses in areas including English, film studies, Spanish, communication and international studies.
Dozens of other study abroad options are also available. Explore all the possibilities through SLU's Study Abroad program.
Learning Outcomes
The Department of English has outlined the desired outcomes of the undergraduate program and its courses.