English majors are expected to develop critical thinking skills that manifest themselves abundantly in advanced reading and writing. They are expected to learn how to identify original ideas and then to develop them into a piece of effective writing. Such interests and skills should have wide applicability in the workaday world outside of the University.
Admission into the Major
Students may declare a major in English online under the Student tab of myBama. Students are expected to formally declare a major no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students).
Special Opportunities
Special opportunities available in the Department of English include the English Honors Program and the Sigma Tau Delta honor society. Contact the department for more information.
Honors in English
The English Department offers an Honors Program for students who wish to wish to pursue more advanced studies in the major. Any English major with a superior aptitude for and a special interest in English may apply for admission to the Honors Program. The program includes honors sections of 200-level literature surveys, a 300-level Honors Seminar in English, and an Honors Thesis, which counts as a 400-level course. The 200-level honors classes allow students to pursue British or American Literature in depth, at an advanced level, and in a seminar-style setting. The EN 399 Honors Seminar in English gives students the opportunity to take an advanced, research-centered course that cuts across conventional divisions of literary period and literary form. The EN 499 Honors Thesis affords each student the opportunity to work individually with a faculty mentor who will guide him or her in reading, researching, and writing a 30-40 page thesis. To be eligible for graduation with honors in English, participants must complete any two of the following courses: EN 217 Honors World Literature I, EN 218 Honors World Literature II, EN 251 Honors African American Literature I, EN 252 African American Honors English Literature, EN 215 Honors English Literature I, EN 216 Honors English Literature II, EN 219 Honors American Literature, EN 220 Honors American Literature II; as well as EN 399 Honors Seminar in English and EN 499 Honors Thesis with a minimum grade of "B" in each. (Some flexibility at the 200- and 300-level is possible with permission of the coordinators). Students must have at least a 3.5 GPA in the English major and 3.3 GPA overall to complete the program successfully. See the English Department website, or contact the coordinators of the English Honors Program for additional information.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honor society, aims to promote a mastery of written expression, to encourage worthwhile reading, and to foster a spirit of fellowship among its members. Students pursuing a major in English or English education, or pursuing a minor in English or creative writing and who have at least a 3.33 GPA for 12 hours of English and at least 3.0 cumulative GPA are eligible to apply. The society, along with the department, annually makes an award to the English major with the highest overall GPA.

