Program Overview
Whether you choose to make English your principal area of study or your secondary focus, the USF English Department offers you three distinct concentrations within both our major and minor coursework.
Major Concentrations
Each of the literature, writing, and comparative literature and culture concentrations provides a unique-to-USF context for studying and creating literary texts.
Literature Concentration
Our literature concentration provides a comprehensive and dynamic background in American and British fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Its goal is to foster the critical skills you’ll need to succeed in all your studies, with a curriculum based on collaborative discussion seminars and engaging lectures, and courses emphasizing the traditions, movements, and influences that have inspired and challenged writers throughout history. Ensuring that you comprehend a given work’s cultural and historical context is of paramount importance to us, and you’ll see that reflected in courses that immerse you in the author’s or genre’s perspective.
Writing Concentration
In our writing concentration, you’ll bring your creative fiction, nonfiction, and poetry skills to life, honing them all while having the opportunity to specialize in one or two of the genres. Combining workshops and seminars to build a curriculum in which you learn about writing from the inside out is our method of ensuring that you become not only discerning consumers, but also savvy producers, of literary texts.
Comparative Literature and Culture Concentration
In our comparative literature and culture concentration, you’ll examine the distinct traditions and trends of the written word around the globe. With an emphasis on diversity, you’ll learn to think, read and analyze the world in more than one language. The nature of our program — studying and comparing art, language, and cultures from across the world — opens up the freedom to easily become immersed in and adapt to any of the abroad programs.
Comparative Literature and Culture Courses
Honors Track
Honors students draw upon courses in major concentrations and complete an additional 12 units, or 3 courses, beyond the requirements of the major. In addition, students write an Honors Thesis incorporating both creative and critical components.
Senior Seminar Project
Whether you concentrate in either literature or writing, USF’s English major culminates in a senior seminar project that you’ll complete during your final semester. Each of our graduating students produces a major written work, and presents the work publicly at a year-end symposium. These capstone projects, much like the majors themselves, prepare students for success in a variety of careers and graduate programs.