AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE
Focus on African American Writers
The African American Literature concentration focuses on African American literature and its influence and influences around the world. In addition to the English core classes, students choose from literature classes in African American Literature, Black Women Writers, Ethnic American Literatures, Native American Literature and Religion, or Literature in the Postcolonial World. We are planning to offer more classes in this area, and see the African American Literature concentration as a step towards an African American Studies program.
African American Literature for non-majors: English Minor
Eight Semester Degree Plan
Semester 1
| UN 101 | 1 |
| Gen Ed: EN 101 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: World Civ I or US History I | 3 |
| Gen Ed: COM 101 | 3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin I | 4 |
| TOTAL | 17 |
Semester 2
| Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (PHL) | 3 |
| Gen Ed: EN 102 | 3 |
| Gen Ed: MA 113 (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Fine Arts | 3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin II | 4 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 3
| Gen Ed: Lit Survey* EN 201, 202 203, 204, 231, or 232 |
3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin III | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Natural Science I (w/ lab) | 4 |
| Gen Ed: Social Sciences: WS, PSY, etc. | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 4
| Gen Ed: Lit Survey* EN 201, 202 203, 204, or 231, 232 |
3 |
| BA: Spanish/French/Latin IV | 3 |
| Gen Ed: Natural Science II (w/ lab) | 4 |
| Diversity Requirement‡ | 3 |
| Advanced Writing Requirement** | 3 |
| TOTAL | 16 |
Semester 5
| Early Lit Requirement† | 3 |
| EN 360 African American Literature | 3 |
| Language or Theory Requirement° | 3 |
| EN 363, EN 370, EN 380, or EN 433 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 6
| EN 363, EN 370, EN 380, or EN 433 | 3 |
| English Elective⁂ | 3 |
| English Elective⁂ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 7
| EN 499 English Capstone | 3 |
| English Elective⁂ | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 |
Semester 8
| General Electives | 14 |
| TOTAL | 14 |
English BA, African American Literature Concentration Curriculum
This information is presented for informational purposes. In the event of a discrepancy between this page and the Undergraduate Bulletin, the Bulletin should always be used.
General Education Curriculum
In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.
The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.
All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:
- Critical Thinking
- Effective Communication
- Cultural Literacy
- Quantitative & Technology Skills
- Understanding of Self, Global Societies, & the Natural World
- Life-Long Learning
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must include the following courses (or demonstrate equivalent competency) in their academic program:
- Foreign Language 101-102 8 semester hours
- Foreign Language 201-202 6 semester hours
To fulfill the language requirement for the B.A., students must complete the 202 level or above in a foreign language. For information on foreign language placement, see the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy section in the Bulletin. If, upon entering the University, a student already has sufficient background to be successful in 201-202, he/she does not need to enroll in 101-102. The requirement is in essence six hours credit at the 200-level or above.
*Select any two literature survey courses:
- EN 201 - Survey of Early English Literature
- EN 202 - Survey of Late English Literature
- EN 203 - Survey of Early American Literature
- EN 204 - Survey of Late American Literature
- EN 231 - Survey of Early World Literature
- EN 232 - Survey of Late World Literature
†Select one of the following Early Literature courses: (3 Semester Hours)
- EN 303 Early Shakespeare
- EN 304 Late Shakespeare
- EN 334 Greek and Roman
- EN 355 Bible as Literature
- EN 375 Women in Medieval
- EN 444 Earliest English Lit
- EN 445 Chaucer & Medieval
- EN 453 Eliz. & Jac. Drama
- EN 455 Early Modern Poetry
‡Select one of the following Diversity courses:
- EN 260 LGBTQ+ Lit
- EN 360 African-Amer. Lit
- EN 363 Black Women Writers
- EN 370 Ethnic Amer. Lits
- EN 380 Native American
- EN 433 Lit in Postcolonial World
°Select one of the following Language or Theory courses: (3 Semester Hours)
- EN 302 - History and Structure of the English Language
- EN 305 - Advanced Grammar
- EN 480 - Literary Theory
**Select one advanced writing course: (3 Semester Hours)
- EN 300 Professional Writing
- EN 311 Nonfiction Writing
- EN 312 Creative Writing
- EN 313 Digital Writing
- EN 315 Playwriting
- EN 317 Technical Writing
- EN 411 Fiction Writing Workshop
- EN 412 - Poetry Writing Workshop
- EN 360 African American Literature
Select two additional courses: (6 hours)
- EN 363 Black Women Writers
- EN 370 Ethnic American Literatures
- EN 380 Native American Literature and Religion
- EN 433 Lit in Postcolonial
⁂Select three additional English electives in literature, writing, theory, or TESL: (9 Semester Hours)
EN 499 English Capstone
Note: Each course may count for only one requirement within the major, but literature surveys may count for both General Education requirements and major requirements. Of all major courses, at least one must be 300- or 400-level literature courses and one additional course must be a 400-level literature course.
Total Hours Required for a BA in English - African American Literature: 124 Semester Hours