New English majors, whether transfer students or continuing students, should meet as soon as possible with the director of undergraduate studies to discuss the major and their course schedules. In addition, the department strongly urges all majors and
prospective majors to seek out the director's advice whenever they have questions or problems.
Since all English courses require skills in writing, students should normally complete or be waived from the university writing skills requirement (ENG 101 and
ENG 201 in the old General Education curriculum, ENG 105 and a CL2 course in the new curriculum) before registering for
courses numbered 202 and above. However, English majors and minors may also be simultaneously enrolled in the university writing requirement courses when taking their first courses in the department. We strongly recommend
that students with below a B average in English take no more than 18 credit hours per semester.
Instructors observe the general course descriptions, choosing authors, texts, topics, and approaches to suit their particular interests. More information about particular courses, including detailed descriptions
of courses for the coming semester, can be found in the Whole English Catalog. Copies are available in the English Undergraduate Office, 303 Clemens Hall.
Academic Requirements
Transfer Policy
The English department will count up to two literature courses taken at another accredited college or university towards satisfaction of the department's requirement for two lower-level literature courses. The department generally accepts up to four junior-
or senior-level courses taken elsewhere for upper-level credit. Students with questions regarding the evaluation of transfer credits should see the director of undergraduate studies in 303 Clemens Hall.
Advanced Placement Work Beginning Fall 2011 for incoming freshmen, the only AP exam that will give credit towards the Writing Skills Requirement is the English Language and Composition exam. You must score
4 or 5 to receive credits for ENG 101 (old Gen Ed curriculum) or ENG 105 (new curriculum). A score of 3 will grant you
three elective credits that will not count towards either the writing or Humanities requirements. The AP English Literature and Composition exam will only grant generic English credits. For those admitted prior to the
2011-2012 academic year, the AP English Literature and Composition exam will figure in differently: (1) a 4 or 5 on the exam will grant ENG 101 credits; or (2) if you
took both the Language and Literature exams, a 5 on one and a 4 or 5 on the other will exempt you from the Writing Skills Requirement.
SUNY Seamless Transfer Path
SUNY Seamless Transfer is a SUNY-wide program intended to make transferring to UB and other SUNY Schools simple and efficient for SUNY students. SUNY has defined
courses that SUNY students can take before transferring which will apply to the major at UB and ensure timely graduation.
Information about the Transfer Path for this major can be found on the SUNY Website.
Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor or department to discuss how their coursework will apply to their degree.
English - B.A.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0. Completion of the university writing skills requirement.
Advising Notes
Bring current HUB Academic Advisement Report (AAR) directly to the English department.
Prerequisite Courses
Required Courses
One 200-level survey course (ENG 221 World Literature, ENG 231 British Writers 1, ENG 232 British Writers 2, ENG 241 American Writers, ENG 242 American Writers 2) Two 200-level courses (202-299) Ten 300/400-level courses, including: ENG 301, Criticism; Four courses (12 credits) in Earlier Literature, chosen from among specified upper-level courses that focus on literature written before
1800;
One course (3 credits) in Breadth of Literary Study, chosen from among specified upper-level English courses that are grounded in perspectives or experience outside the literary mainstream; Four additional
(elective) courses: one in the ENG 200-ENG 400 level, two in the ENG 300-
ENG 400 leel, and one at the ENG 400 level; neither an internship nor an independent study will satisfy this requirement.
Undergraduate Credit Requirements Chart
Credits Required for Major
39
Additional Credits Required for UB Curriculum
40
Additional Credits Required for Electives
41
Total Credits Required for Degree
120
Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge to:
Think, read, speak, and above all write critically and creatively
Be able to read in detail and in cultural context
Understand critical methods and theoretical concepts
Gain an understanding of periods and genres
Develop ability to articulate an idea lucidly and persuasively in writing
Develop skills for doing research and deploying evidence appropriately
Appreciate aesthetic experience
Recommended Sequence of Program Requirements
View the Finish in Four Curricular Plan for the English BA which is a recommended sequence of courses to help achieve this degree in four years.
English - Minor
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall. Completion of the university writing skills requirement.
Required Courses
Two courses of English (6 credits) in the ENG 202-ENG 299 range; ENG 301, Criticism; One course (3 credits) in Earlier Literature, chosen from among specified upper-level English courses that focus on literature written before
1800; Two electives (6 credits) in the ENG 300-ENG 400 range.
Minor Credit Requirements Chart
Total Credits Required for Minor/Certificate
18
Minors and certificates must be completed in conjunction with a major and all university degree requirements must be met.
Students should consult with an academic advisor to determine how any transfer or exam credit might be utilized in meeting general education, prerequisite, or major requirements.
Advising Notes
Bring current HUB Academic Advisement Report to the English department.
English-Joint Major Option - Joint Major
Overview
UB students interested in studying English in combination with another UB field may elect to consider a Joint Major option. A UB joint major involves combining the subjects of two different departments (e.g., English and Political Science, English and
Communications, English and Media Studies, etc.). Students do not have to complete all the requirements of each major. Rather, they complete select requirements from each major as determined by the individual departments.
Joint majors must be between two programs leading to the same degree (B.A.), and they must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies of both departments.
Acceptance Criteria
Approval by both departments Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall. Completion of the university writing skills requirement.
Required Courses
One 200-level survey course (3 credits); (ENG 221 World Literature, ENG 231 British Writers 1, ENG 232 British Writers 2, ENG 241 American Writers, ENG 242 American Writers 2) Two 200-level courses (6 credits);
ENG 202-299 Seven 300/400-level courses, including: ENG 301, Criticism; Three courses (9 credits) in Earlier Literature, chosen from among specified upper-level courses that focus on literature written before
1800; One course (3 credits) in Breadth of Literary Study, chosen from among specified upper-level English courses that are grounded in perspectives or experience outside the literary mainstream; Two
Elective courses (6 credits): one at the ENG 300-level or above, and one at the ENG 400-level; neither an internship
nor an independent study will satisfy this requirement.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge to:
Think, read, speak, and above all write critically and creatively
Be able to read in detail and in cultural context
Understand critical methods and theoretical concepts
Gain an understanding of periods and genres
Develop ability to articulate an idea lucidly and persuasively in writing
Develop skills for doing research and deploying evidence appropriately
Appreciate aesthetic experience
Advising Notes
Bring current HUB Academic Advisement Report to the English department.