Print this page.About the Program
The Department of English Language and Literature features a strong and flexible undergraduate major. We foster interdisciplinary work within the department and in connection with such USC programs as Comparative Literature, African American Studies, Linguistics, Women’s Studies, Southern Studies, and Film Studies.We offer a diverse curriculum—with courses in literature, creative and expository writing, linguistics, and film—in a department known for its energetic teaching.You’ll learn to analyze literary and non-literary texts within cultural and historical contexts, to think critically, to write clearly, and to communicate persuasively.
We offer four degree tracks:
• The general major assures a broad knowledge of literary and cultural studies, plus skills in writing and critical analysis.
• The intensive major, which includes a senior seminar or thesis, is designed especially for those students planning to pursue graduate study in literature.
• The writing concentration is tailored for students who are interested in advanced composition and creative writing.
• The secondary education major is designed for students who plan to teach English at the secondary level; these students will receive a BA in English, with a minor concentration in education. This concentration prepares them to enter an MT or MAT program. Upon completion of this, they receive state certification to teach English.
Career Opportunities
With this solid academic background, graduates pursue careers in popular fields like teaching, publishing, public relations, and management. Many continue their studies in graduate and professional schools, earning degrees in law, business, and other related fields.
A degree in English provides an excellent foundation for pursuing a variety of careers as well as for entering graduate schools. English majors find a wide range of career positions, including:
• feature writer
• technical writer
• newspaper reporter
• editor
• publishing associate
• public relations specialist
• grant writer.
The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and in increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information, call the center at 803-777-7280.
Admission/Progression Requirements
To be admitted into the College of Arts and Science’s Bachelor of Arts degree program in English, you must meet all University and College of Arts and Sciences requirements. University requirements for freshmen include a completed application, nonrefundable application fee, high-school record complete up to the time of application (including record of at least 20 units of study earned as required by the University), and entrance examination scores (either SAT or ACT). Details for all applicant categories can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Further requirements may be imposed for admission to the degree program.
Program of Study (120 hours)
The Bachelor of Arts in English requires 53 to 62 hours of general education requirements, and nine hours of prerequisites, which are comprised of American Literature, English Literature I, and English Literature II. You must also complete 27 to 33 hours of major requirements in courses at the 300 level or above. The 300-level courses are broad-based studies of literary movements and topics; the 400- and 500-level courses include more specialized, in-depth studies of specific authors and periods as well as courses in writing, film, and linguistics.
Your program hours are rounded out by cognate courses and electives. Cognate courses will vary depending upon whether you are a general English major or are pursuing an intensive major or writing concentration. Electives will be chosen from courses available through the College of Arts and Sciences. A minor in speech communication is also available.
Of Special Interest
Our diverse faculty boasts nationally and internationally known scholars in English and American literature, African American studies, composition and rhetoric, the history of authorship and publishing, literary theory, linguistics, communication studies, film, and creative writing. Their expertise lends itself well to recent special topics courses such as Caught in the Creative Act, Slave Narratives, Shakespeare at the Movies, and The South on Film. The department also hosts opportunities such as an annual poetry contest and many seminars and conferences, including 19th- and 20th-century literary conferences and the 2006 Southern Regional Conference of the American Conference for Irish Studies.