English Major Requirements - Department of English

Department of English
Bachelor of Arts in English
The major in English at FIU comprises 36 credit hours in upper division (3000 and 4000)
level courses. The major is designed to familiarize students with periods in literary
history. One course is required from each of six historical periods. The first four
requirements are in British (English) literature:
1. Medieval Literature
2. Early Modern (Renaissance) Literature
3. 18th or 19th Century British Literature
4. 20th Century or Contemporary British Literature
To find courses in the semester schedule that fulfill these four requirements,
search by course prefix ENL or LIT, and check the “class notes” information.
The next two requirements are in American literature:
5. Early American literature (American literature before 1865)
6. Later American literature (American literature after 1865)
To find courses in the semester schedule that fulfill these two requirements,
search by course prefix AML or LIT, and check the “class notes” information.
7. The next requirement is in Multi-ethnic, Multicultural, or Literature of Gender and
Sexuality:
To find courses in the semester schedule that fulfill this requirement, search by
course prefix AML, ENL, LIT, and check the “class notes” information.
8. The final requirement is a class in Linguistics, that is, the study of language. You
may take either General Linguistics (LIN 3013) or Modern English Grammar (LIN
4680).
General Linguistics (LIN 3013) is an introduction to the field of linguistics,
including topics such as the sound and structure of English, language acquisition, and
language and culture. Modern English Grammar (LIN 4680) focuses on the structure of
English.
9. Upper Division Electives in English (12 credits)
Any upper-division (3000-4000 level) course in the Department of English can
serve as an elective. If you use your electives carefully, you can concentrate in an area
that interests you, such as early modern literature or 19th C British literature, or work
towards excellence in creative writing (CRW), technical and professional writing (ENC),
film studies (FIL, ENG) or linguistics (LIN).

The Semester Course Schedule
Each semester, the Department of English designates particular courses that fulfill the
requirements listed above. The numbers for required courses may change from semester to
semester. When you look at the semester course schedule, look carefully at the notes available in
each course box. The description should tell you specifically which requirement(s) the course
fulfills.
Sometimes a course can fulfill two different requirements. For example, AML 4606 (19th
C African American Literature) can be used for the requirement in Early American Literature OR
in Multi-ethnic/Multicultural Literature—but not both. Similarly, ENL 3504 (British Literature
to 1660) can fulfill either the Medieval Literature requirement or the Early Modern (Renaissance)
British Literature requirement—but not both.
Each semester, the department offers a variety of courses numbered AML or ENL 4503.
This number designates a course in a particular literary period in English or American literature.
You may take several courses with this same number, since the content changes. For example, in
a given semester, AML 4503 might designate a course in American Fiction, 1900-1950 (Later
American Literature). In another semester, this same number might be used for a course in Early
American literature. Similarly, each semester, the department offers “special topics” courses
numbered AML, ENL, or LIT 4930. Students may take several courses with this number
because the content of each course differs. Check the online descriptions carefully to be sure
that you know which courses you are taking to fulfill major requirements. And do consult an
advisor as you plan your semester schedule.
Additional Requirements for Graduation
In order to graduate from FIU with a bachelor’s degree in English, you must
· Satisfy all University Core Curriculum Requirements. (Students with AA degrees have
satisfied these requirements.)
Satisfy all Global Learning Requirements. (See goglobal.fiu.edu for requirements and
Courses.)
· Satisfy the language requirement in the College of Arts and Sciences, either through
coursework or testing (CLEP).
· Earn a grade of C or higher in all courses in the English major (courses completed with
grades of C- or below will count as outside elective credits, not as courses in the major).
· Complete at least 9 credit hours in summer courses.
· Complete at least 9 credit hours (three courses) outside the Department of English in the last
60 hours.
· Earn at least 48 upper-division (3000-4000-level) credits.
· Clear all IN (Incomplete grades).
· Complete a minimum of 120 credits total.
Sample Break-down of Credit Hours:
60 credit hours (lower-division/A.A. degree/University Core Curriculum)
36 credit hours (upper-division courses in English required to complete the major)
24 credit hours (can include electives outside English; language credits; courses to complete a
minor; courses to complete a certificate or a double major)
________________
120 credit hours total