# 2026-2027 Course Catalog
**Source**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/english-balas/english-teaching/
**Parent**: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
*for the degree of Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in English, English Teaching Concentration*
---
In an age when information is everywhere, the real challenge is knowing what questions to ask—and how to evaluate the answers. The English major develops precisely these capacities. Students learn to cultivate imagination, analyze texts and contexts critically, and understand how meaning shifts depending on perspective and framing. They gain facility with language as a creative and analytical tool, strengthening their ability to craft persuasive arguments and communicate with clarity, nuance, and impact.
Coursework spans eight centuries of literature and media, from novels, poems, and films to video games, digital texts, and emerging genres. Students explore topics as varied as Afrofuturism, lexicography, and linguistic change, while engaging interdisciplinary connections to history, philosophy, music, science, art, law, and technology.
Above all, studying English fosters independence of mind and a strong individual voice. Through sustained practice in reading and writing, students develop interpretive insight, creative and critical thinking, self-awareness, and sensitivity to audience. These skills empower graduates to adapt, innovate, and pursue fulfilling careers across a wide range of fields.
## Undergraduate Degree Programs in English
### **Majors:**
- [English, BALAS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/english-balas/) with concentrations:
- [English, English Concentration, BALAS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/english-balas/english/)
- [English, English Teaching Concentration, BALAS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/english-balas/english-teaching/)
- [English, Topics in English Concentration, BALAS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/english-balas/english-topics/)
- [Creative Writing, BALAS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/creative-writing-balas/)
*for the degree of Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Major in English, English Teaching Concentration*
---
This concentration fulfills state certification requirements to teach high school (grades 9-12) English Language Arts through the AP/honors level.
Minimum required concentration and supporting coursework normally equates to 78 hours: 39 hours of English department courses and 39 hours of courses from the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching. Students must complete at least 15 hours of coursework at the 300-level or above ([ENGL 301](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20301 "ENGL 301"), [ENGL 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20350 "ENGL 350"), and 9 more hours). Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
**General education**: Students must complete the [Campus General Education](https://courses.illinois.edu/gened/DEFAULT/DEFAULT) requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Time to degree completion varies. Minimum time to completion is eight semesters, with some students requiring ten semesters. Transfer students may need ten total semesters combined to complete the program. Please see the LAS Transfer Handbook for more information.
To remain in good standing in this program and be recommended for licensure, candidates are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (A=4.0).
Prerequisites to transfer to the English Teaching concentration: Students must complete [ENGL 200](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20200 "ENGL 200"), the two required historical surveys, and ENGL 301 (Intro to Critical Theory). In addition, it is strongly recommended that students complete five additional ENGL courses (chosen in consultation with an English advisor) appropriate to the English Teaching Concentration.
**Departmental Distinction:** Students interested in graduating with distinction or high distinction are encouraged to consult the departmental honors adviser. In addition, students interested in the departmental honors program should contact the English department advising office.
## **English Teaching Requirements**
**Graduation Requirements**
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: 78 hours: 39 hours of English department courses and 39 hours of courses from the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching. Students must complete at least 15 hours of coursework at the 300-level or above (ENGL 301, ENGL 350, and 9 more hours). Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
**University Requirements**
The university and residency requirements can be found in the [Student Code](https://studentcode.illinois.edu/article3/part8/3-801/) (§ 3-801) and in the [Academic Catalog](http://catalog.illinois.edu/general-information/degree-general-education-requirements/).
**General Education Requirements**
Follows the [campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements](https://courses.illinois.edu/gened/DEFAULT/DEFAULT). Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Composition I | | 4-6 |
| Advanced Composition | | 3 |
| fulfilled by [ENGL 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20350 "ENGL 350") and [EDUC 202](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EDUC%20202 "EDUC 202") | | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 |
| fulfilled by [ENGL 200](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20200 "ENGL 200"), [ENGL 209](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20209 "ENGL 209"), [ENGL 255](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20255 "ENGL 255"), and [EDUC 202](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EDUC%20202 "EDUC 202") | | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 |
| fulfilled by [EPSY 201](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPSY%20201 "EPSY 201") and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences | | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 |
| fulfilled by [EDUC 201](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EDUC%20201 "EDUC 201") | | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 |
| fulfilled by [ENGL 209](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20209 "ENGL 209") and [ENGL 255](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20255 "ENGL 255") | | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required) | | 0-20 |
**Major Requirements**
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Core Courses | | 9 |
| [ENGL 200](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20200 "ENGL 200") | Introduction to the Study of Literature and Culture (prerequisite for other English courses; can be taken at the same time as a course that satisfies the Composition I requirement) | |
| [ENGL 301](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20301 "ENGL 301") | Introduction to Critical Theory | |
| [ENGL 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20350 "ENGL 350") | Writing about Literature, Text, and Culture | |
| Historical Surveys | | 6 |
| Students are encouraged to take these required survery courses as early as possible after completing [ENGL 200](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20200 "ENGL 200") | | |
| [ENGL 209](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20209 "ENGL 209") | Early British Literature and Culture | |
| [ENGL 255](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20255 "ENGL 255") | Early American Literature and Culture | |
| Period Courses (American, British, Anglophone, etc.) 1 | | 15 |
| 3 hours: At least one course in one of the following categories: | | |
| Medieval Literature & Culture (before 1550) | | |
| Early Modern Literature & Culture (1550-1660, other then Shakespeare) | | |
| Eighteenth-Century Literature & Culture (1660-1800) | | |
| 3 hours: Shakespeare | | |
| 3 hours: At least one course in Nineteenth-Century Literature & Culture | | |
| 3 hours: At least one course in Twentieth-Century Literature & Culture | | |
| 3 hours: At least one course in Contemporary Literature & Culture | | |
| Language, Composition, & Pedagogy Courses | | 9 |
| [ENGL 402](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20402 "ENGL 402") | Descriptive English Grammar | |
| [ENGL 481](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20481 "ENGL 481") | Composition Theory and Practice | |
| Select at least one of the following (3 hours): | | |
| [ENGL 311](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20311 "ENGL 311") | History of the English Language | |
| [ENGL 380](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20380 "ENGL 380") | Topics in Writing Studies | |
| [ENGL 482](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20482 "ENGL 482") | Writing Technologies | |
| [BTW 490](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=BTW%20490 "BTW 490") | Special Topics Prof Writing | |
| One course in Difference & Diaspora. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking an appropriately focused course from among [ENGL 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20350 "ENGL 350"), the historical surveys, or the period courses. 1 | | |
| [Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching](https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/education/minors/teacher-education-secondary-school/) | | 39 |
| Total Hours | | 78 |
1
: Chosen from the list maintained in the Department of English. Note: [ENGL 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20350 "ENGL 350") can serve as a period course, a cluster course, an elective course, and/or a Difference and Diaspora course only when it is not also being used to fulfill a core requirement. Students who wish to use [ENGL 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20350 "ENGL 350") in this way must thus take the course a second time (and with a different topic than the first time).
*for the degree of Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in English, English Teaching Concentration*
---
## **Sample Sequence**
*This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.*
*Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the [Degree and General Education Requirements page](http://catalog.illinois.edu/general-information/degree-general-education-requirements/)**.*
| First Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| [ENGL 200](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20200 "ENGL 200") | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Composition I or EDUC 201 | 4 |
| [PSYC 100](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=PSYC%20100 "PSYC 100") | 4 |
| | 16 |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| First Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| [ENGL 209](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20209 "ENGL 209") | 3 |
| [EPSY 201](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPSY%20201 "EPSY 201") | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| [EDUC 201](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EDUC%20201 "EDUC 201") (or Composition I) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| | 16 |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Second Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| [ENGL 255](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20255 "ENGL 255") | 3 |
| Period course | 3 |
| [EDUC 202](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EDUC%20202 "EDUC 202") | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| | 14 |
| Total Hours 14 | |
| Second Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| Period course | 3 |
| Period course | 3 |
| [ENGL 301](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20301 "ENGL 301") | 3 |
| General Education course (choose a NST course with QR designation) | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| | 14 |
| Total Hours 14 | |
| Third Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| [ENGL 350](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20350 "ENGL 350") | 3 |
| Period course | 3 |
| Period course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| | 15 |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Third Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| [CI 401](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=CI%20401 "CI 401") | 3 |
| [CI 473](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=CI%20473 "CI 473") | 3 |
| [ENGL 402](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20402 "ENGL 402") | 3 |
| [ENGL 481](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=ENGL%20481 "ENGL 481") | 3 |
| Difference and Diaspora course | 3 |
| | 15 |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Fourth Year | |
| --- | --- |
| First Semester | Hours |
| [CI 403](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=CI%20403 "CI 403") | 3 |
| [SPED 405](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=SPED%20405 "SPED 405") | 3 |
| [EPSY 485](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EPSY%20485 "EPSY 485") | 3 |
| Language, Composition & Pedagogy course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| | 15 |
| Total Hours 15 | |
| Fourth Year | |
| --- | --- |
| Second Semester | Hours |
| [EDPR 442](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=EDPR%20442 "EDPR 442") | 12 |
| [CI 404](https://catalog.illinois.edu/search/?P=CI%20404 "CI 404") | 3 |
| | 15 |
| Total Hours 15 | |
**Total Hours: 120**
*for the degree of Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in English, English Teaching Concentration*
---
1. Capacity to understand and interpret multimodal texts by using a variety of methods including close reading, genre theory, and formal and rhetorical analysis.
2. Capacity to understand multimodal texts in a variety of contexts, including cultural, historical, philosophical, and theoretical ones. Ability to understand texts in relation to diachronic processes, including histories of literature, genre, culture, or media.
3. Ability to create clear, focused, rigorous, and well-supported arguments that demonstrate awareness of audience.
4. Ability to develop research questions, to carry out research into primary and secondary sources, and to smoothly integrate these findings into student work, such as presentations and essays.
5. Capacity to understand the ways in which forms of difference (including racial, ethnic, gendered, sexual) inform the production and reception of multimodal texts.
*for the degree of Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in English, English Teaching Concentration*
---
## [Department of English](https://www.english.illinois.edu/)
[Department of English faculty](https://english.illinois.edu/directory/faculty)\
[Department of English advising](https://www.english.illinois.edu/undergraduate/advising/)
## [College of Liberal Arts and Sciences](https://las.illinois.edu/)
[Overview of Admissions & Requirements for the College of LAS](https://catalog.illinois.edu/schools/las/academic-units/)\