Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: English

Program Overview

Undergraduates who major in English develop the art of communication—including reading, writing, and media skills—through a rich variety of seminars and experiences. They have opportunities to study English and American literature, the craft of poetry, Shakespearean drama, science fiction, the analysis of film, the rhetoric of medicine, and the dynamics of novels, plays, short stories, and creative nonfiction. The flexibility of the undergraduate major allows students to pursue their passions—from classic literature to graphic novels, from poetry to journalism—while exploring genres and works they may not have previously encountered. In addition to being a stand-alone major, English complements many other disciplines and serves as excellent preparation for advanced study in law, management, and other fields.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to conduct research using primary and secondary sources.
• Students will be able to analyze and interpret literary texts, visuals, and other media to develop critical positions of one’s own.
• Students will be able to write in clear and effective prose to construct a focused, well-organized argument.
• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the major texts and traditions of English studies in their social, cultural, and historical contexts.
• Students will be able to engage in respectful and tolerant debate about different values, ideas, and perspectives.

Teacher Licensure

Students admitted to Case Western Reserve University prior to Fall 2024 can declare a secondary major in Teacher Education and prepare for licensure in Adolescent to Young Adult (grades 7-12) in any one of the following areas: Integrated Language Arts (English major), Integrated Social Studies (history major), Integrated Mathematics (mathematics major), Life Science (biology major), or Physical Science (chemistry or physics major); or 2) Multi-Age (grades preK-12) in French, Spanish, or Latin. Eligible students interested in the teacher education program should refer to the General Bulletin for the year they entered Case Western Reserve University for the specific program requirements. 

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

The major consists of at least 30 credit hours in English above the 100-level (including 15 credit hours at the 300-level or above).

a

At least three hours (one class) must be at the 300-level or above. No more than one of the following can be used towards the 12 credit hours of elective courses: WRIT 210 Business Writing; WRIT 211 Writing for the Health Professions; WRIT 212: Legal Writing; WRIT 213 Introduction to Technical Communication; WRIT 250 Science Communication.

In addition, students submit an English major portfolio as described on our website.

Because of the flexibility of departmental requirements and the variety of career paths to which the major may lead, all students should confer frequently and closely with advisors. No courses outside the department are required for the major, but the department recommends courses in comparative literature, history, philosophy, history and criticism of the fine arts, theater, and literature in other languages. Students planning to go to graduate school are reminded of the importance of foreign language study.

Departmental Honors

To qualify for honors, English majors must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.75 in English courses taken for honors and follow a track consisting of at least 33 credit hours above the 100-level, including the general requirements for the major; at least 18 credit hours of approved electives in literary and cultural studies; and a designated capstone course in English.

Concentration Requirements

Creative Writing

The creative writing concentration requires that 9 credit hours of the 30 credit hours for the English major be approved creative writing courses.

Journalism

The journalism concentration requires that 9 credit hours of the 30 credit hours for the English major be approved journalism courses.

Film

The film concentration requires that 9 credit hours of the 30 credit hours for the English major be approved film courses.

a

Other electives may be determined in consultation with major advisor.

b

ENGL 368 may be repeated for credit and may count for up to 6 credit hours of the Film Concentration.

c

Courses that have counted as electives toward the film concentration include: Latin American Cinema, Black Religion & Film, The Hollywood Musical, Topics in German Cinema, Film Music, Jewish Image in Popular Culture, French Cinema, James Bond & Popular Culture, Classics in Film, Bollywood & Social Justice, Video Production, and Folklore & Myth in Japanese Film. Electives approved by the Film Concentration coordinator.