The Language and Literature program has recently revised our major to reflect developments in the field. If you declared the major before Fall 2021, you may continue with the 2017 major requirements or 2020 major requirements. Students declaring in Fall 2021 and after will follow the new requirements listed below.

The English Language and Literature Major will broaden your knowledge of literary history and traditions, develop your understanding of different cultures, and introduce you to the world's most brilliant writers. Our inclusive curriculum offers a diverse selection of courses that cross national borders, literary genres, and minoritized cultures. This degree will prepare you with essential skills in persuasive communication, analytical reasoning, creative thinking, and emotional intelligence that are most in demand by employers in a variety of professional fields, including teaching, training, writing, publishing law, research, business, and government.

Our faculty is comprised of excellent teacher-scholars who genuinely care about you, the student. We actively publish and present scholarship at conferences on topics ranging from maritime monsters in Shakespeare to current portraits of the US borderlands, as well as editing for publications like the Journal of Intercultural Studies and the International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. We have unique strengths in transpacific and transatlantic literatures, gender and sexuality studies, and ethnic studies that help us connect our courses to real-world issues. Further, we closely mentor students in research, writing, career professionalization, and preparation for graduate study.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Understand and be able to articulate orally and in writing how literature is contextualized historically.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the range of literary perspectives, conventions, and forms.
• Understand and be able to articulate orally and in writing how literature is contextualized culturally.
• Demonstrate their writing competence by successfully meeting the rhetorical needs of situations requiring the application of a variety of genres and styles.
• Demonstrate knowledge of literary critical theories.
• Demonstrate proficiency in research methodologies
• Demonstrate a functional knowledge of grammar and linguistics

Apply for the major here. Plan to take ENG 302 and ENG 303 your first quarter because they are pre-requisites for most upper-division literature courses. Take ENG 320 (English Grammar) early in your program because it will help you with written assignments.

Questions about advising? Please contact Amber Hay via email, or via her scheduling link, or reach out to CAHAdvising@cwu.edu.

Are you a transfer student? Check out our Language and Literature Transfer MAP and visit the Registrar's Transfer MAPs website to learn more.

View the English Language & Literature Major detailed course description in the CWU Catalog to assist in course selection and planning.

Course of Study

Required Courses – Credits: 27

• ENG 302 – Poetry and Poetics (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II
• ENG 303 – Principles of English Studies (5) Prerequisite: Academic Writing I and Academic Writing II
• ENG 320 – English Grammar (5)
• ENG 418 – Literary and Critical Theory (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 420 – English Linguistics (5) Prerequisite: ENG 320
• ENG 489 – Senior Colloquium (2) Prerequisite: 48 credits of English courses

Select one literary forms course – Credits: 5

• ENG 380 – Studies in Drama (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 453 – Studies in Fiction (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303, or instructor permission
• ENG 454 – Studies in Nonfiction (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303, or instructor permission
• ENG 455 – Studies in Poetry (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303

Select two literature and history courses – Credits: 10

• ENG 363 – Shakespeare (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 371 – Literature and History I (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 372 – Literature and History II (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 373 – Literature and History III (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 374 – Literature and History IV (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303

Select one critical studies course (American, World, & British) – Credits: 5

• ENG 415 – Critical Studies in American Literature (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 417 – Critical Studies in World Literature (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303
• ENG 419 – Critical Studies in British Literature (5) Prerequisite: ENG 302 and ENG 303

Select three literature and culture courses – Credits: 15

• ENG 329 – Cultural Studies in Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 330 – African American Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 331 – Latina/o Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 332 – American Indian Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 333 – Asian American Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 334 – American Indian Oral and Nonfiction Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 335 – Women’s Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 336 – Race and Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 337 – LGBTQ+ Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)
• ENG 347 – Global Perspectives in Literature (5) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above and Academic Writing II (with grade of C- or higher)

Department-Approved Electives – Credits: 10

Select 10 credits of English literature, language, or writing course. Elective credits may be taken from any English literature or language course at the 300-level or above. One 200-level course (up to 5 credits) may be counted as an elective.

Total Credits: 72

Two-Year Course Schedule

The English Language and Literature Major can be completed in two years. See below for planned course offerings.
The courses and course rotations are subject to change. For courses offered by other departments, check with the originating department for scheduled offerings.

Sections in bold are offered online