Course Requirements and
Options in the English Major

Students must be aware of the requirements not only for the English major but also for a degree. The degree requirements are stated in NKU's Catalog and include such items as a minimum of 128 semester hours, the last thirty of which have been taken at Northern, and a minimum of forty-five semester hours at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in English may choose from three options, or tracks, of requirements. Each option focuses on a distinct dimension of student interest and career opportunity. The Literature Option represents the "traditional" English major and its course of study. Students in this major option are well prepared for graduate study in English or for admission to law school. The Literature and Writing Option retains the program's emphasis on literary study while helping prepare students for careers involving business, technical, or creative writing. The Secondary Teaching Certification Major prepares students for careers as teachers of English in secondary or middle schools in Kentucky, Ohio, or Indiana. The Major in English consists of thirty-nine semester hours, including fifteen hours in the core course component plus completion of course requirements for one of the three curriculum options and the foreign language requirement. The Major in English with Secondary Teaching Certification consists of forty-five semester hours as indicated below and the foreign language requirement. Beginning with students declaring an English major in the 2000-2001 academic year, if a student earns a D in an ENG course, that course will not count toward the major. It will, however, count toward general studies, if applicable, or as additional credit hours. Core Course Component for All English Majors ENG 202 and 203 (or ENG 206* and 207*)...................6 ENG 308 or 309 Shakespeare I or II.......................3 American literature......................................6 ........................................................15 semester hours *May be substituted for ENG 202, 203 in Literature and Writing Option. English majors must complete the core courses (above) but must also complete the option of their choice (below). =========================================================== Literature Option ENG 206 Western World Literature I.......................3 ENG 350 Literary Criticism...............................3 British literature, 400-level courses (at least 3 semester hours must be in pre-1750 literature, i.e., ENG 401-450).............................................9 American literature (pre-1900 literature, i.e., ENG 208 or ENG 351)..............................................3 Electives on 300 level or above (may include ENG 207, Western World Literature II).............................6 ........................................................24 semester hours Literature and Writing Option British literature, 400-level courses (at least 3 semester hours must be in pre-1750 literature, i.e., ENG 401-450).............................................6 Writing courses, ENG 231 or above (may include an extensive writing project offered under ENG 490 Special Project in Writing, maximum 6 semester hours)...........12 Electives, 300 level or above............................6 ........................................................24 semester hours The Major in English with Secondary Teaching Certification Students must be admitted to the College of Education and must complete all Education requirements in addition to the English requirements below. ENG 200 Introduction to Literature (or equivalent).......3 ENG 381 Introduction to Linguistics (or ENG 382 History of the English Language).........................3 ENG 385, 387 Teaching of English I and II................6 British literature before 1750 (select from Brit. Lit. courses, ENG 401-450)............3 British literature after 1750 (select from Brit. Lit. courses, ENG 451-499)............3 World literature (ENG 206, ENG 207, or a course in the literature of a non-English-speaking country)............3 Electives in English.....................................9 ........................................................30 semester hours =========================================================== Foreign Language Requirement All students majoring in English are required to complete at least six semester hours of classes in a foreign language (i.e., Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish). Students with previous experience in a foreign language must consult the foreign language faculty to determine the appropriate courses to fulfill this requirement.

	"If ever I was foxed it was now."--Samuel Pepys