English, BA
Majoring in English provides students with a wealth of intellectual and practical learning, a foundation to future success. In today's interconnected world, the ability to read carefully, think imaginatively, understand others, and communicate across all types of platforms and formats is essential.
Students in the English major at UWM get to choose a track and focus their studies on an area of particular interest:
- Track A: Literature and Cultural Theory - where the reading and analysis of literature is emphasized.
- Track B: Rhetoric and Professional Writing - a broad field that includes writing for different applications and audiences.
- Track C: Creative Writing - ideal for students who want to learn the craft of writing fiction and poetry.
- Track H: Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies - includes many forms of analyzing, appreciating and communicating through classic and contemporary media such as film, tv, games, and online digital media.
Do your many interests make it difficult to choose? In the Open Focus track (Track O) of the major, students take some of everything.
In small classes, our students learn to understand the power and possibilities of the English language across the centuries and around the world. Students learn to think critically, write persuasively, argue logically, delve deeply into history, and explore their own creativity. Students are challenged to examine their own assumptions, sharpen their writing, and learn how to read and understand complex and enduring narrative forms.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 30 | |
| L&S Requirements (general degree and major requirements) | 75 | |
| Electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Credit numbers reflect total possible credits towards degree. Due to the ability to count courses towards more than one requirement, credit amounts will vary. Please work with your academic advisor on your plan of study.
Preparatory Coursework
Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program.
General Education Requirements (GER)
UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.
Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Categories and Credits | ||
| Civics and Perspectives (CP) | 6 | |
| Communication and Literacy (CL) | 6 | |
| Humanities and Arts (HA) | 6 | |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (MQR) | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Wellness (NSW/NSWL) | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science (SBS) | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Letters and Science Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science with 36 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered 300 or above) courses.
The College requires that students must complete, in residence at UWM, at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. The College also requires that students complete at least 30 credits overall in residence at UWM. For additional residency and transfer credit limitations, see L&S Undergraduate Policies and Regulations.
Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.
College of Letters & Science Requirements
The degree requirements in the College of Letters and Science build on the University General Education Requirements to provide a broad base of knowledge as well as an array of skills cited by employers as critical to professional success: critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication, ability to work well with others, and adaptability to change.
For the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), students must complete the UWM General Education Requirements as well as these L&S requirements: the International requirement, the Breadth requirement, a Natural Science Lab requirement, the Research requirement, and a Language other than English requirement. The International requirement develops student potential for cross-cultural understanding in a globalizing world. The Breadth requirement ensures that students take classes in a wide variety of subjects, across humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The Research requirement calls for students to build critical thinking and oral and written communication skills through conducting an independent research project in their major. The Language other than English requirement further develops student proficiency in a language other than English. And, the requirement that students take an L&S Natural Science lab ensures exposure to and practice with the scientific method in action.
I. Total Credits and Upper-Division Courses Requirement
Students must complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science with 36 of those 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered 300 and above) courses.
II. Language other than English Requirement
Students doing the B.A. must fulfill a language other than English requirement by either successfully completing the fourth semester of university work or equivalent in one language other than English, or by successfully completing the second semester of university work or equivalent in two languages other than English (including all languages other than English and American Sign Language).
Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement.
III. International Requirement
To meet the International Requirement, students must successfully complete some two-course (minimum 6 credits) combination of:
- Courses with L&S approved international content (see Courses Approved for the L&S International Requirement for course options).
- Any study abroad course(s).
Students who graduate secondary school in a country other than the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.
IV. Breadth Requirement
In addition to completing the University General Education Requirements, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement to obtain deeper experience across our three substantive divisions.
The L&S Breadth requirement calls for 9 credits each in L&S courses designated L&S Humanities, L&S Natural Sciences, and L&S Social Sciences breadth. One of the L&S Natural Science breadth courses must include a laboratory or fieldwork experience.
Please refer to the list of Courses Approved for the L&S Breadth Requirement.
V. The Major
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Students should contact their major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete, in residence at UWM, at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.
Research Requirement
Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty. A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.
VI. The Minor
Students are encouraged to consider completing a minor, but it is not required. To complete a minor, the College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. The minor must contain at least 9 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 and above) courses taken at UWM.
English Major Requirements
Prospective majors are expected to consult with the associate chair for undergraduate studies in designing a program that satisfies their individual interests, abilities, and ambitions; if appropriate, a particular requirement may be waived to meet a student’s special programmatic needs. English majors intending to continue their studies in graduate school are urged to plan with the coordinator a program that meets graduate school expectations and prepares them for the Graduate Record Exam.
Students entering with advanced standing are required to earn at least 15 credits in English courses numbered 300 and above while in residence at UWM.
Credit Requirements
All courses taken towards the major must be at or above the 300 level unless otherwise noted. Students must complete at least 15 upper-division (numbered 300 and above) credits in the major in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work.
English majors must choose one of the two following tracks: Open Focus or Creative Writing. In their senior year, majors complete a capstone course or senior seminar. This course includes one or more in-depth writing assignments or projects that include a research component, which satisfies the research requirement for the L&S degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: | 36 | |
Track O: Open Focus | ||
Track C: Creative Writing | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Tracks
Track O: Open Focus
At least 3 credits in literature must be in a period before 1900. They can be taken in American Literature, British Literature or any other literature course in the English department. Students can take up to 9 credits in 200-level English courses to satisfy the 36 credits for the major. This includes ENGLISH 215 which is a requirement and non-substitutable. ENGLISH 192 can be substituted for 3 of the 9 credits in 200-level courses.
Students must also complete a 3 credit capstone seminar at the 600 level (615, 616, 622 - 633, 685, 690), which may be in any of the areas listed below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| American Literature | ||
| Select one of the following courses in American Literature: | 3 | |
| Literary Forms and Genres: | ||
| Literature and the Other Arts: | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Minority Literature: | ||
| Introduction to World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Introduction to African-American Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Survey of American Literature, 1865-1965 | ||
| Survey of Contemporary American Literature | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature to 1930 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1500-1900: | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1900 to the Present: | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in African-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Indian Literature: | ||
| British Literature | ||
| Select one of the following courses in British Literature: | 3 | |
| English Writers, 1800 to the Present | ||
| Survey of English Literature, Beginnings to 1500 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1500-1660 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1660-1798 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1798-1900 | ||
| Survey of English Literature: 1900 to the Present | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Seminar in Rhetoric and Professional Writing: | ||
| Milton | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1500-1660: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1660-1798: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1798-1900: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1660-1800: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1800-1900: | ||
| Minority, Women's or World Literature | ||
| Select one of the following courses in Minority, Women’s or World Literature: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Literature by Women: | ||
| Introduction to American Indian Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Ethnic Minority Literature: | ||
| Introduction to World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Introduction to Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Introduction to African-American Literature: | ||
| Modern Irish Language and Literature in Translation | ||
| Survey of Irish Literature | ||
| LGBTQ+ Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature to 1930 | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Women Writers: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in Irish Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in World Literature Written in English: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Irish Literature: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Culture: | ||
| Seminar in Literature by Women: | ||
| Seminar in Literature and Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in African-American Literature: | ||
| Seminar in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Theory and Criticism | ||
| Select one of the following courses in Theory and Criticism: | 3 | |
| Survey of Current Literary and Cultural Theory | ||
| Classical Film Criticism and Theory | ||
| Television Criticism and Theory | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: * | ||
| Studies in Theory and Criticism: | ||
| Seminar in Critical Theory: | ||
| Rhetoric, Professional, Technical or Creative Writing | ||
| Select two of the following courses in Rhetoric, Professional, Technical or Creative Writing: | 6 | |
| Strategies for Academic Writing | ||
| Business Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Health Science Writing | ||
| Global Englishes | ||
| Grammar and Usage | ||
| Writing in the Professions: | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture: | ||
| Writing, Speaking, and Technoscience in the 21st Century | ||
| Introduction to English Linguistics | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| Theories of Language and Literature: | ||
| Survey of Modern English Grammar | ||
| Language, Power, and Identity | ||
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Literary Journal Production | ||
| Advanced Business Writing | ||
| Professional and Technical Communications Research | ||
| Writing for Nonprofits | ||
| Strategic Writing for Organizations | ||
| Advanced Writing Workshop | ||
| Topics in Advanced Communications: | ||
| The Rhetoric of Argument | ||
| Creative Nonfiction for Publication | ||
| Editing and Publishing | ||
| Rhetoric and Professional Writing | ||
| Technical Documentation | ||
| Project Management for Professional Writers | ||
| Advanced Research Writing | ||
| Information Design | ||
| Writing Center Tutoring Practicum | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Technical Editing | ||
| The Composing Process: | ||
| Global Business Communications | ||
| Technical Communications Theory and Practice | ||
| Internship in the Humanities | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Fiction | ||
| Advanced Workshop in Poetry: | ||
| Seminar in Rhetoric and Professional Writing: | ||
| Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies | ||
| Select two of the following courses in Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies: | 6 | |
| Writing about Film and Television | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Introduction to Television Studies | ||
| Classic Dramas in Film: | ||
| Game Culture | ||
| Women and Film | ||
| Topics in Film, Television and Digital Studies: | ||
| World Cinema: | ||
| Studies in Film and Television Authorship: | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| Media and Society: | ||
| Cinema, Television, and Genre: | ||
| Classical Film Criticism and Theory | ||
| Television Criticism and Theory | ||
| Entertainment Industries: | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: * | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Film and Television Studies: | ||
| Global Jewish Film and Television: | ||
| Global Cinema and Media: | ||
| Screening Sexuality: | ||
| Seminar in Contemporary Cinema and Media: | ||
| English Electives | ||
| 9 credits in English electives are required for the major. | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- *
This course is listed in more than one category. It may count in only one category.
Track C: Creative Writing
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH 215 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| ENGLISH 233 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Special Topics in Creative Writing: | ||
| Fiction Workshop | ||
| Poetry Workshop | ||
| Literary Journal Production | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Writing about Film and Television | ||
| Studies in Film and Television Authorship: | ||
| The Art of Fiction: | ||
| The Development of the Novel: | ||
| The Development of the Short Story | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| The Development of Drama: | ||
| Comedy: | ||
| Modern Drama: | ||
| The Art of Poetry: | ||
| The Development of Poetry: | ||
| Survey of Current Literary and Cultural Theory | ||
| Cinema, Television, and Genre: | ||
| Feminist Media Criticism and Theory: | ||
| Readings for Writers: | ||
| Literature and the Other Arts: | ||
| Studies in Theory and Criticism: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of English Literature, Beginnings to 1500 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1500-1660 | ||
| Survey of English Literature, 1660-1798 | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Milton | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1500-1660: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1660-1798: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1660-1800: | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Survey of English Literature, 1798-1900 | ||
| Survey of English Literature: 1900 to the Present | ||
| Survey of Irish Literature | ||
| Survey of American Literature to 1865 | ||
| Survey of American Literature, 1865-1965 | ||
| Survey of Contemporary American Literature | ||
| LGBTQ+ Literature: | ||
| Survey of American Indian Literature | ||
| Survey of Ethnic Minority Literature | ||
| Survey of U.S. Latino/a Literature | ||
| Survey of Asian American Literature | ||
| Survey of African-American Literature, 1930 to the Present | ||
| World Literatures Written in English: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1798-1900: | ||
| Writers in English Literature, 1900 to the Present: | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1500-1900: | ||
| Writers in American Literature, 1900 to the Present: (subtitle) | ||
| Writers in African-American Literature: | ||
| Women Writers: | ||
| Studies in Literature, 1800-1900: | ||
| Studies in African-American Literature: | ||
| Studies in Irish Literature: | ||
| Studies in American Indian Literature: | ||
| Studies in World Literature Written in English: | ||
| Studies in U.S. Latino/a Literature: | ||
| Studies in Asian-American Literature: | ||
| Select 3 credits in an upper-level English elective | 3 | |
| ENGLISH 615 | Advanced Workshop in Fiction (capstone experience) (satisfies L&S research requirement) | 3 |
| or ENGLISH 616 | Advanced Workshop in Poetry: | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Please Note: In order to register for the ENGLISH 615 or ENGLISH 616 capstone (see below), students must have completed successfully two 400-level workshops (ENGLISH 414, ENGLISH 415, ENGLISH 416) as follows:
- Prerequisites for ENGLISH 615 fiction capstone: ENGLISH 415 and one of the following: a second section of ENGLISH 415, ENGLISH 414 or ENGLISH 416.
- Prerequisites for ENGLISH 616 poetry capstone: ENGLISH 416 and one of the following: a second section of ENGLISH 416, ENGLISH 414 or ENGLISH 415.
- Students may not take the two required 400-level workshops in the same semester, and they may not take either of them concurrently with ENGLISH 615/ENGLISH 616.
Cross-listed Courses
The following courses offered by other departments may be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major or minor in English. Only 3 credits in courses from Communication, Theatre, Women's and Gender Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Studies, and Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies will count toward the English major:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 300 | Interviewers and Interviewing | 3 |
| COMMUN 313 | Human Communication and Technology | 3 |
| COMMUN 410 | Organizational Communication Technology | 3 |
| JAMS 306 | Feature and Magazine Article Writing: | 3 |
| JAMS 562 | Media Studies and Culture | 3 |
| LGBT 599 | Selected Topics in LGBT Studies: | 3 |
| THEATRE 359 | Playwriting | 3 |
| WGS 301 | Queer Theory | 3 |
Related Courses
The following courses offered by other departments may be of interest to students in English, but may not be used to fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate major or minor in English:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 105 | Business and Professional Communication | 3 |
| JAMS 201 | Media Writing | 3 |
| JAMS 231 | Publication Design | 3 |
English BA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the English, BA program will be able to:
- Read critically and think theoretically about literary works, media texts and other cultural objects.
- Communicate effectively, persuasively, and/or artistically, for multiple and diverse audiences.
- Create and/or compose in a variety of genres and media.
- Develop interpretive claims supported with appropriate evidence.
- Expand their cross-cultural perspectives in relation to diverse populations, both historical and contemporary.
- Produce analyses of texts and media with consideration of socio-cultural, historical, and other formative contexts.
- Develop research practices that are grounded in sound theoretical frames and historical backgrounds.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Honors in the Major
English majors need to meet the following three criteria in order to graduate with Honors in the Major:
- Minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA on all UWM graded credits attempted;
- Minimum 3.500 GPA on all credits attempted that count toward the major; and
- Minimum 3.500 GPA on all advanced (300+) credits that count toward the major.
Students who meet these criteria should apply to the coordinator of undergraduate studies.
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.