Concentration in English Literature
Students must earn a "C" or better in each course taken to fulfill a concentration requirement.
The English Concentration provides students with a background in literature in English, including an awareness of the historical/cultural origins of literary works and the relationship of literature in English to literature in other languages. Areas to consider are: literature's relationship to history, technology, religion, public institutions, notions of self and family; the development of literary history, including literary influences; stylistic and technical devices; generic distinctions; literary theory. The degree prepares students for careers in business, education, journalism, and government, as well as for graduate and professional schools such as education, medicine, and law.
Advisory Board:
Michael Harrawood
Rachel Luria Sondra Washington
Available Options: Concentration in English; minor concentration.
CONCENTRATION IN ENGLISH
| Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interpretation of Literature | 3 |
| British Literature (Survey or Period) | 6 |
| American Literature (Survey or Period) | 6 |
| Author-Focused Course | 3 |
| English Electives (3000-level or above) | 12 |
| Electives in Other Fields | 9 |
| IDS 4970: Honors Thesis (two semesters) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 45 |
At least 27 credits must be fulfilled through 3-credit upper-division (3000-level or above) courses. Competency in at least one foreign language and literature is desirable, and, for those who expect to pursue advanced degrees in English, a reading knowledge of two foreign languages is recommended.
INTERPRETATION OF LITERATURE
Interpretation of Literature: This requirement may be satisfied by any of the following three courses:
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LIT 2010 | Honors Interpretation of Fiction | 3 |
| LIT 2030 | Honors Interpretation of Poetry | 3 |
| LIT 2040 | Honors Interpretation of Drama | 3 |
BRITISH LITERATURE
British Literature: Below are examples of courses which satisfy the British Literature requirement. 3 credits must be taken in literature prior to 1798, and 3 credits taken in literature after 1798.
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENL 2012 | Honors British Literature to 1798 | 3 |
| ENL 2022 | Honors British Literature Since 1798 | 3 |
| LIT 4243 | Honors Milton and English Revolution | 3 |
AMERICAN LITERATURE
American Literature: Below are examples of courses which satisfy the American Literature requirement. 3 credits must be taken in literature prior to 1865, and 3 credits taken in literature after 1865.
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AML 2010 | Honors American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| AML 2022 | Honors American Literature 1865 - 1945 | 3 |
| AML 2053 | Honors American Literature 1945 - Present | 3 |
AUTHOR-FOCUSED
An author course may count as an appropriate Survey or elective course subject to the rule that no course may be counted towards more than one of a student's concentration requirements.
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
ENL 4333 |
Honors Shakespeare | 3 |
| ENL 4243 | British Romanticism | 3 |
| AML 4310 | Honors Major American Author: 19th Century | 3 |
| AML 4321 | Honors Major American Authors: 20th Century | 3 |
ENGLISH ELECTIVES
English Electives: These courses must be at the 3000-level or higher. Students are strongly encouraged to take one course in literary criticism (i.e. Critical Approaches to Literature or Philosophy of Literature) as well as one course in non-Western or minority literature. Following is a list of electives which will satisfy these requirements. One course in the literature of a foreign language or in comparative literature may replace an English elective.
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AML 3111 | Honors American Novel to 1900 | 3 |
| AML 3121 | Honors American Novel Since 1900 | 3 |
| AML 4603 | Honors African-American Literature | 3 |
| AML 4640 | Honors Native American Literature | 3 |
| AML 4930 | Honors Special Topics courses in American literature (topics vary) | 3 |
| LIT 3133 | Honors Medieval Cultures | 3 |
| LIT 3213 | Honors Literary Theory | 3 |
| ENG 4114 | Honors Literature and Film | 3 |
| LIT 3306 | Honors Travel Literature | 3 |
| LIT 3432 | Honors Science, Alchemy and Magic in Early Modern England | 3 |
| LIT 4383 | Honors Women in Literature | 3 |
| LIT 4434 | Honors Literature and the Environment | 3 |
| LIT 4930 | Honors Special Topics courses in Literature (topics vary: multiple special topics courses may be taken) | 3 |
Note: Internship credits will not be counted toward the concentration.
ELECTIVES IN OTHER FIELDS:
As a broad knowledge of culture, epistemology, history, and social institutions is essential to a sensitive and complete understanding of literature, the English Concentration requires that students complete nine credits (outside of English) in relevant courses in the humanities and the social sciences. Students must complete at least nine credits of any 3-credit course with the following prefix, except study abroad, internship, and thesis courses: AFS, AMS, AMH, ANT, ARH, ASN, CLA, CPO, CRW, ECP, ECS, ENC 3***, EUH, EVR, EXP, FRT, FRW, GEA, GEO, HIS, HUM, INR, LAH, LIN, LNW, PHH, PHI, PHP, POS, POT, PSY 2***, SPW, SYD, SYG, WOH, WST; in addition, the following courses may be taken as electives: DEP 3005, ECO 3303, MUS 2670. At least 3 of the 9 credits must be upper-level (3000 or 4000 level). Students are reminded that they must have at least 45 credits of upper level courses to graduate and should choose their electives accordingly. An appropriate IDS course or non-Honors FAU courses may count as an English elective or elective in other fields only with permission of the Concentration Advisor.
SENIOR THESIS:
Every student concentrating in English will complete a senior thesis under the guidance of a primary advisor from English. The honors thesis is a manuscript of at least fifty pages, demonstrating the student's original contribution to his/her chosen area. The thesis will be written under the direction of a committee of two and defended orally.
Restrictions: Students must achieve at least a grade of "C" for all courses in the concentration.
Minor concentration in English (15 credit hours)
The English Minor Concentration is designed to offer students significant coursework in both British and American literature, as well as literature written before and after 1800. Students are to select the appropriate combination of courses with the help of an advisor. At least 9 hours of coursework must be at the 3000 or 4000 level; 6 hours may be at a lower level, for a total of 15 credit hours. Students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average in courses taken for the minor concentration. At least 50% of upper level credits must be from Honors College courses.
Requirements:
- At least one course in British Literature
- At least one course in American Literature
- At least one course that deals primarily with literature written before 1800
- At least one course that deals primarily with literature written after 1800
One course can satisfy two requirements (e.g. AML 3121 satisfies the requirement for a course in American Literature and a course on literature written after 1800).