The English major with a Concentration in Literature at UAB is multifaceted. Students will find that the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills developed in this course of study will help them to pursue careers in virtually any field. Employers know that an English major is someone who can write and think logically and critically and who is thus a desirable candidate for managerial and professional positions. Students graduating from UAB with a major in English have gone on to achieve advanced degrees from graduate and professional schools. They work in fields as diverse as book and magazine publishing, web publishing, teaching, law, medicine, library science, banking, and retail management.

Beginning Fall 2010, the English department is offering a new set of requirements for graduation. The result is that there are two catalogs in effect and thus two sets of graduation requirements: the "old" catalog (2009-2010) and the "new" catalog (2010-2011). Students who declared as English majors before Fall 2010 are governed by the terms of  the "old" catalog unless they notify the Arts & Sciences Academic Advisors that they wish to switch from old to new. Both catalogs offer equally viable routes to graduation. Current students may choose to remain under the old catalog or elect to switch to the new one, depending on their preferences and on how each catalog will affect their progress toward degree.

"Old" Catalog (2009-2010)

To earn a major in English with a concentration in literature under the 2009-2010 catalog, a student must complete a total of at least 42 credit hours in addition to EH101 and 102 and other UAB core requirements. These hours should include:

• Three courses (9 hours) from EH 221, 222, 223, 224;
• EH 301;
• One course (3 hours) from EH 365 or 366;
• EH 476;
• One course (3 hours) in non-Shakespearean British literature produced before 1660;
• Two courses (6 hours) at the 400-level in British literature produced after 1660;
• Two courses (6 hours) in American literature at the 400 level;
• One course (3 hours) in the study of English as a language  OR two courses (6 hours) in linguistics at the 200 or 300 levels, thereby increasing the total number of hours required for the major to 45;
• One 300-level elective (3 hours) excluding EH 311 OR one 400-level elective (3 hours);
• One 400-level elective (3 hours).

For a complete listing of which EH courses count toward each of the above categories, see the 2009 catalog. Students majoring in English must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major requirement, and at least 15 hours of English courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken at UAB. A single course may not count toward more than one departmental requirement.

"New" catalog (2010-2011)

To earn a major in English with a concentration in literature under the 2010-2011 catalog, a student must complete a total of at least 42 credit hours in addition to EH101 and 102 and other UAB core requirements. These hours should include:

• A two-course literary survey sequence (6 hours) in World (EH 217 and 218), British (EH 221 and 222), or American (EH 223 and 224) Literature
• EH 301
• One 300- or 400-level course (3 hours) in African, African-American, or African-Diasporic literature
• Two 300- or 400 level courses (6 hours) in literature produced before 1700
• One 300- or 400-level course (3 hours) in literature produced 1700-1900
• One 300- or 400 level course (3 hours) in literature produced post-1900
• One 300-or 400-level course (3 hours) in the study of English as a language
• Four EH electives (12 hours, see catalog for approved courses)
• One Capstone course (3 hours):  EH 411 (Capstone Internship), EH 495 (Capstone Honors Thesis) or EH 496 (Capstone seminar)

For a complete listing of which EH courses count toward each of the above categories, see the 2010-2011 catalog. Students majoring in English must achieve a grade of C or higher in all courses applied toward the major requirement, and at least 15 hours of English courses at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken at UAB. A single course may not count toward more than one departmental requirement. Also, at least 21 semester hours in English must be at the 400 level.

If You Have Questions

• Academic Advisors for the College of Arts and Sciences can guide you toward your degree in English; their offices are located in Heritage Hall 510, and their phone number is (205) 975-0097.
• For course offerings, check the online class schedules.
• For other questions, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Undergraduate Studies, UAB Department of English, Humanities Building 207-G, (205) 934-8570.