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Undergraduate Major English Language & Literature (BA)

Capitalize on Your Passion for Words with an English Language & Literature BA

Turn your passion for reading and writing into a career. Gain the communication and research skills needed in the workplace today. Learn to think critically and write effectively. Welcome to SNHU's BA in English Language and Literature.

Classes are generally small. The literature courses, for example, average about 20 students and the writing courses about 15 students, allowing professors to keep the classes lively and highly interactive. You won't ever find yourself sitting in a huge auditorium, struggling to follow along with a lecture. In fact, some of the most unique learning opportunities might take place outside the classroom.

Because of SNHU's ideal location in the heart of New England, the birthplace of American literature, professors often build in visits to historic literary sites such as Walden Pond to add depth to the subject matter.

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See Yourself Succeed as an English Language & Literature Major

While people often think that a BA in English Language and Literature prepares students only to be teachers or writers, that's not the case at all. Our undergraduate program is designed to give you a broad skillset that translates well in virtually any field. This includes:

  • Effective written and oral communication skills. You'll learn how to develop, craft and present ideas and stories that help you convince, persuade and educate an audience.
  • Ability to think critically and creatively. You'll discover how to uncover and dissect various viewpoints in order to create new concepts and stories.
  • Broad knowledge of literary classics. You'll gain a unique perspective and understanding of the world by reading, evaluating and discussing literature that's influenced society.
  • Proficiency in research strategies. You'll learn proven techniques for pinpointing and analyzing information that helps you build support for your ideas and opinions.

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of majoring in English language and literature at SNHU include:

  • Supportive community. Join the SNHU campus community of fewer than 3,000 students, with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.
  • Affordability. SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in New Hampshire, and students who qualify could receive up to $20,000 in grants and scholarships. (This scholarship amount is only for students who do not need a visa to study in the U.S.)
  • Accessible faculty. Learn from highly credentialed faculty who are experts in their fields and interact with you in the classroom, dining hall, fitness center and the stands.
  • Opportunity. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni and strong connections with employers for internship and career opportunities.
  • Campus experience. Enjoy more than 50 student clubs, champion Division II athletics and fun events on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, named a "Best Place to Live" by Money magazine.

​Internships & Outcomes

Because of the strong emphasis on writing, research and critical analysis, the English Language and Literature program opens up a world of options after graduation beyond teaching. Many ELL majors will go on to become lawyers, corporate communications executives, advertising and public relations specialists, consultants, historians, and more. Although some of these career paths may require additional degrees or training, an ELL degree will provide a strong foundation of knowledge upon which to build.

Curriculum

The English Language and Literature BA includes an extensive overview of American and British literature and a sampling of world literature. You will also be required to take courses in literary theory, the English language, and Shakespeare. Optional courses include Pop Fiction, World Mythology, and writing workshops in poetry, fiction, and drama.

Required Core Courses
General Education Program

Free elective Credits: 33

Degree Courses
HUM 201 Intro to Humanities I

Assuming little or no previous exposure to its content, this course offers vocabulary, understanding, and appreciation of the visual arts in their cultural contexts of history, religious settings, literature and ideas. It focuses on the achievements of ancient Greece and Rome, the medieval period and the Renaissance, while also exploring related issues in non-European cultures. May be taken independently of HUM 202.
HUM 202 Intro to Humanities II

Assuming little or no previous exposure to its content, this course offers vocabulary, understanding and appreciation of the visual arts in their cultural contexts of history, music, literature, and ideas. It focuses on the cultural periods of the Baroque, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism and Early Modernism, while also exploring related issues in non-European cultures. May be taken independently of HUM 201.
ENG 350 The English Language

This course is an introduction to the following topics in English linguistics: history of English, etymology, vocabulary (morphology), phonology, dictionaries, syntax, semantics, dialects, discourse analysis, and child language acquisition. The course is designed for students who want to learn about the English language as preparation for teaching, or for becoming better writers, or for studying literature. Students will have the opportunity to research, write about, and present on a linguistic topic of individual interest such as the language of advertising or propaganda.
LIT 300 Literary Theory

This course is an introduction to the major schools of contemporary critical theory, and an examination of principal exponents of these theories. The student will become familiar with the most important features of psychoanalytic criticism, Marxism and feminism and examine the meaning of structuralism and post-structuralism. In addition, the course affords an opportunity to practice applying the theories to specific literary texts.
LIT 319 Shakespeare

Students in LIT 319 study selected Shakespearian comedies, tragedies and chronicle plays. The course also provides the students with a general overview of the Elizabethan era and the world in which Shakespeare lived and worked.

LIT - Select one 200-level Literature elective
LIT - Select three 300-level Literature electives
LIT - Select one 400-level Literature elective

Select one of the following:
LIT 485 Senior Thesis in Literature

This course is an option for seniors of exceptional ability who are majoring in English language and literature and who wish to have a graduate-level research and writing experience in some chosen area of American, British or world literature. Students must petition to take the course. The following requirements are for undergraduate day campus students. Students who receive permission from the area coordinator/department chair and their academic advisors must proceed to formulate a written thesis proposal and assemble a three-person academic support committee, equipped with relevant expertise, no later than March 30th of the junior year. The proposal will then be submitted for approval to the individual's advisory committee. Assuming the project is universally approved, the student will meet with one or more members of the committee on a biweekly basis to review progress on research and written work. The final result will be a scholarly essay of 40 to 60 pages, to be presented as an academic paper in a public forum at least three weeks before graduation. Offered on an ongoing basis, as this is a yearlong course option. The following requirements are for undergraduate COCE students: Students who receive permission from their academic advisors must proceed to formulate a written thesis proposal to be submitted for approval to the selected instructor. If the project is approved, the student will collaborate with the instructor in the online course to review progress on research and written work. The final result will be a scholarly essay of 40 to 60 pages, to be presented to the instructor as a cohesive and polished academic paper with a supplemental essay that outlines plans to present/publish the paper after the course is complete. Offered on an ongoing basis, as this is, at a minimum, a two-term research and writing project.

LIT - Select two 300 - 400 level Literature electives, excluding LIT 485

Program Outcomes

Campus Undergraduate Costs

Undergraduate Day Students Tuition Financial Aid Teaser Image

We believe that college should change your life, not break the bank. That's why more than 90 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid, and students who qualify could receive up to $20,000 in grants and scholarships.

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University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...

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