Bachelor of Arts in English with a Creative Writing Specialization

The Department of English is dedicated to the study of the English language and literature. Like all forms of art, the creations of writers give us direct access to what it means to be human in all its complexity and mystery. Our committed faculty of teachers and scholars, poets and novelists cover literary productions from the first flowerings of poetry in Old English to the most recent creative work. Whether classes involve the analysis of Shakespeare’s plays or the writing of fiction and poetry, our teachers help students to think and write with clarity and grace as they prepare to work in a world where communication has become the signature endeavor of our world. Our undergraduate majors and minors will enter the arenas of government, law, business, public service, the arts, education, and every other field, mindful of the importance of language and imagination in effecting change. At the same time, the graduate students in our Ph.D. program are being prepared to join faculties at the best universities in the world. Students who major in English at SMU explore the richness of literary expression, as well as the relationships between literature and its cultural and historical contexts. English majors have the opportunity to work with renowned scholars in a wide variety of fields. With a range of courses in literary history, literary theory, and creative writing, the English Department offers something for everyone. The major requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of English courses, including no more than 12 hours at the 2000-level and below (with no more than 3 of these hours at the 1000-level) and at least 12 hours of 4000-level literature courses. Specific requirements are listed below.