FALL 2009 ENGLISH B.A. REQUIREMENTS HOURS The English major encompasses a total of 36 hours. Half of your courses must be taken at UIC. Therefore, you can transfer in a maximum of eighteen hours. Twelve hours of advanced coursework must be completed in residency. Advanced coursework is 200 level and above. GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) A GPA of a 2.0 in the major is required at all times. This includes all three types of GPA 1) UIC major GPA, 2) transfer GPA and 3) UIC plus transfer GPA. CORE COURSES The major is made up of four core courses which all students must take and pass with a C or better. These courses include the following: 1. English 240‐Introduction to Literary Study and Critical Methods NOTE: All courses in the major build on this course. Therefore, English 240 should be taken as early as possible. 2. English 241‐British Literature I: Beginnings to 1660 3. English 242‐British Literature II: 1660 to 1900 4. English 243‐American Literature: Beginnings to 1900 CONCENTRATIONS All students must select one concentration and complete three courses. One course may be taken at the 100 level and one course must be taken at the 400 level. The third course can be taken at the 200 level and above. The new major offers the following four concentrations: 1. British and Anglophone Literatures‐studies the history and development of British Literature from its beginnings to the present, along with its European influences and the literatures of the former British colonies. 2. American Literature‐studies the history and development of American Literature from its beginnings to the present, including literature by U.S. ethnic and minority writers as well as other literatures of the Americas. 3. Media, Rhetorical and Cultural Studies‐includes the study of popular culture, film, television, and emerging technological media, as well as rhetoric, discourse and the history of ideas. 4. Creative Writing (fiction, poetry, or non‐fiction)‐studies in writing of a particular narrative genre. ELECTIVES Students take five electives in the major. One course may be taken at the 100 level and all other courses must be taken at the 200 level and above. DISTRIBUTION Majors complete three distribution requirements from the concentration and the electives. One course can fill more than one distribution requirement. 1. One course in materials before 1900. 2. One course in materials after 1900. 3. One course in U.S. Social and Cultural Diversity. LEVEL From the concentrations and electives two courses must be at or above the 300 level. OTHER DEPARTMENTS A MAXIMUM OF ONE COURSE FROM A DEPARTMENT OTHER THAN ENGLISH MAY COUNT TOWARD THE MAJOR. DISTINCTION IN THE MAJOR In order to graduate with Distinction, a student must have attended UIC for three semesters, attained a cumulative GPA of 3.00, and completed a minimum of 21 hours of major coursework at UIC. A student must also have attained a GPA of 3.50 in courses required for the major. In order to graduate with High Distinction, a student must have met all the requirements for Distinction and also have attained a GPA of 3.75 in courses required for major. In order to graduate with Highest Distinction, a student must have met all the requirements for High Distinction and also have received an "A" in English 398 (English Honors Thesis).