Like our face-to-face program, the Online English Language and Literature Major can be completed in 2 years. The program will broaden your knowledge of literary history and traditions, develop your understanding of different cultures, and introduce you to brilliant works of literature and poetics. The program is an especially good fit for students interested in transnational and cross-cultural approaches to literary studies. Our inclusive and innovative curriculum offers a broad selection of courses that cross national borders, genres, and cultures, while emphasizing diverse and minoritized voices. 

Drawing on our background in online teaching and digital humanities, our online courses are accessible with asynchronous content, yet foster community among our students who create rich projects with digital tools like Twine, join lively group discussions, and meet with faculty in virtual office hours. 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: teaching, training, writing, publishing, law, research, business, and government, among more.  

Our faculty comprises excellent teacher-scholars who care deeply about working closely with you, our students. 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. We’re excited for you to join us as part of our new cohort of online majors!

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 here! 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 Online 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 Online 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