The UAB English Department offers an undergraduate concentration within the English major in professional writing and public discourse. The concentration is designed for English majors who are interested in non-fiction writing for corporate and public life. Building upon a core set of courses in literature and linguistics, the 15 additional credit hours required for the concentration include advanced writing courses designed to hone academic and critical writing skills, professional writing courses that provide valuable strategies for composing in corporate contexts, and courses on the production and analysis of public discourse, including that seen in publications such as magazines, medical texts, and university viewbooks. English majors who complete the concentration might pursue a variety of career options that require advanced writing skills, in areas such as technical writing, publishing, teaching, editing, and business.

Requirements

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 professional writing and public discourse 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:

• Two courses (6 hours) from EH 221, 222, 223, 224
• EH 301
• One course (3 hours) in EH 203 or EH 303
• Two courses (6 hours) in EH 304, EH 311 when approved, EH 403, EH 404, EH 492 when approved
• One course (3 hours) in EH 365 or EH 366
• Two courses (6 hours) in EH 401, 402, 457, 459; 492 when approved
• EH 476
• One course (3 hours) in non-Shakespearean British literature produced before 1660
• One course (3 hours) at the 400-level in British literature produced after 1660
• One course (3 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

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 professional writing and public discourse 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
• One 300- or 400 level courses (3 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
• One course (3 hours) in EH 203 or EH 303
• Two courses (6 hours) in EH 304, EH 311 when approved, EH 403, EH 404, EH 433, or EH 492 when approved
• Two courses (6 hours) in EH 401, EH 402, EH 456, EH 457, EH 459, or EH 492 when approved
• 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,  (205) 934-8570, Humanities Building room 207G, or either of the two PWPD instructors: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (205) 934-8600, Humanities Building room 211 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (205) 934-8572, Humanities Building room 201.