The English Department fosters students' love of literature through rigorous examination of texts, challenging discussion, thoughtful writing, and training in different theoretical approaches. Students explore the works of important writers in multiple genres from many countries and time periods, as well as the ideas, cultural values, and debates literature presents, supported by a faculty with diverse interdisciplinary interests.
The skills practiced in our curriculum foster a deeper understanding of the English language, independent thought, and critical acumen, all of which prepare students for such varied careers as advertising, creative writing, law, journalism, public relations, publishing, and teaching.
Degree Programs
The Major
The required courses are designed to help students acquire a sensitivity to linguistic nuance and power, and an ability to communicate persuasively.
Bachelor of Arts
Requirements: Minimum of 11 courses
There are four core courses required for the English Literature major; two taken at the sophomore level, two at the senior level:
ENGL 201 Critical Reading
ENGL 202 Texts and Contexts
ENGL 402 History of Literary Criticism and Theory or ENGL 403 Contemporary Literary Criticism and Theory
ENGL 420 Senior Seminar in Literature
Electives
In addition to these four courses, majors will choose (in consultation with their advisors) seven courses from department offerings that will broaden and deepen their literary studies. At least one course from these seven should be devoted to literature prior to 1800, and at least four of them must be at the 300 level or above.
The Minor
This minor is designed for the student who wishes to read, discuss, and enjoy novels, plays, stories, poetry, and literary theory as part of a broad liberal education. The minor in English Literature consists of a minimum of 24 credits:
ENGL 201 or ENGL 202, plus one additional 200 level course
Four courses in literature numbered 300 or above. Please consult with a departmental advisor or the department chair in choosing these classes.
Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society
Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society. A member of the Association of College Honor Societies, it was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University.
With nearly 800 active chapters located in the United, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Sponsors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually.
Sigma Tau Delta's central purpose is to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.
General Education Requirements
General Education is a broad description of the curriculum that embodies our commitment to a liberal arts education at the University of Redlands. Our general education conveys the range of fields of study, ways of thinking, and practices of scholarship and creativity that enable students to graduate as critical thinkers capable of innovatively and collaboratively adapting to challenges that come their way in the future.
Our general education is comprised of a Liberal Arts Inquiry (LAI) or Liberal Arts Foundation (LAF) curriculum.
Entering first-year students and transfer students arriving with fewer than 32 credits in Fall 2018 will follow the LAI curriculum.
All transfer and returning students with 32 credits or more (i.e., sophomores, juniors, and seniors) in Fall 2018 will follow the LAF curriculum.
