The English program is designed to help English majors achieve success in graduate or professional school and realize a lifetime of meaningful work. The English Department has four principal objectives. It develops in every student oral and written communication skills. It trains every student in the critical analysis of literature and the formation of value judgments. It introduces every student to at least one genre, period, or survey of literature. It offers to its majors a program containing three areas of interest: writing, literature, and theater.

The General Education requirements in English are EN 102 or 103 and one 200-level survey of literature course or one 300-level literature course designated for sophomore survey credit. The 200-level surveys of literature are EN 201, 202, 205, 206, 215, and 216. The 300-level literature courses designated for sophomore survey credit are EN 302,303, 306, 317, and 318. Freshmen completing EN 103 with a grade of A or B may take 200-level or 300-level literature courses designated for sophomore survey credit.

In addition to the General Education requirements in English, the English major consists of the following: 201; at least one additional survey of literature (EN 202, 205, 206, 215, or 216); 222; 405 or 408; 407; and 12 hours of English electives, at least six of which must be at the 300/400 level. To these specified requirements, students may add up to three more courses of English electives.

A minor in English consists of a minimum of 15 hours above the General Education requirements in English: completion of two surveys of literature (EN 201, 202, 205, 206, 215, or 216); 407; nine hours of electives, at least six of which must be at the 300/400 level. Theater courses may not be credited as elective hours toward the English minor.
Any student interested in pursuing teacher certification in English should contact the Department Chairs of Education and English.

The Department of English will grant the designation “Honors in English” to those students meeting the following requirements:

1. Grade point average of 3.6 or better in the major.
2. Overall grade point average of 3.3 or better.
3. At least two years of course work in the major completed at Erskine College.
4. Earned “A” on a researched essay or creative writing project written for a 300- or 400-level English course. The English Department must approve all written projects submitted for this requirement.
5. Presentation of the project at a national or regional professional meeting or equivalent.
6. Students seeking Honors in English should declare their intent to the English Department in their junior year.