The Literature Major with a Secondary Education Minor

Department of Language and Literature
The literature major with teaching certification/a minor in secondary education

Jane Austen (1775-1817) Students desiring certification to teach English at the secondary level (grades 6-12) must declare themselves as literature majors and education minors and register with the education program as teaching certificate candidates. Advising is then a joint responsibility of the literature and the education programs. Students must complete the requirements for a major in literature as well as the requirements of the Teacher Certification Program in Secondary Education, which includes an education minor (see Education).

English Language and Literature majors pursuing a minor in Secondary Education must complete at least 39 credit hours within the program, with a grade of “C” or better. Of these 39 hours, 21 must be at the 300-level. Majors who are minoring in Secondary Education are required to take the following courses:

›› LITR 100: Introduction to Literary Analysis (3)

›› LITR 255: American Literature I (3)

›› LITR 256: American Literature II (3)

›› two additional courses designated pre-1800 by the Department (6)

›› two additional courses designated post-1800 by the Department (6)

›› LITR 307: Modern English (3)

›› EDUC/LITR 322: Reading, Writing and Thinking in the Middle and Secondary School Curriculum (3)

›› EDUC/LITR 352: Young Adult and Multicultural Literature in the Middle and Secondary School Curriculum (3)

›› one “diversity” LITR course designated by the Department (3)

›› LITR 399: Senior Seminar (3)

Students who wish to pursue a teaching minor in English should consult with the Education program to plan their program of studies for certification.

Prerequisites

LITR 100 is the prerequisite for most 300-level courses; as such, it should be taken as early in the major as possible.

Advanced courses in English Language and Literature

Where appropriate, prerequisites for 300-level LITR courses may be waived, with permission of instructor and departmental approval. Students seeking waiver of a prerequisite should consult their advisor for details. Waiver of a prerequisite (i.e. LITR 100) for any one 300-level course does not constitute a waiver of pre-requisites for any other course, or of any course requirement for the major or minor.

Majors- and minors-only course sections

Mark Twain (1835-1910) Selected 200-level LITR courses will periodically be offered in a special format designed for English Language and Literature majors and minors (MMO format). Registration for these sections is restricted to include only majors and minors in English Language and Literature and, in some cases (to be indicated in the Semester Course Schedule), in appropriate cognate programs as approved by the department for that course (e.g., Gender Studies, Education, Communications, Film Studies).

It is strongly recommended that English Language and Literature majors and minors enroll for MMO sections whenever these are available. In semesters where a particular course is offered in both MMO and regular formats, English Language and Literature majors and minors (and other eligible students, as above) will not be eligible to enroll in the non-MMO section.

Major checklists

Students can downloaded a major checklist to help them plan their studies and progress towards completing the major here (opens in new browser window).