The English Minor

Studying English is a matter of studying something you love. While some majors may emphasize job training, studying English at any level trains you to lead a richer, fuller, more imaginative and thoughtful life.

Two students, one man and the other a woman, sit together at a table. The man is writing down something while the woman looks over it.

No matter your major,

an English minor will augment your skills as a critical reader, an analytical writer, an imaginative thinker, and a creative problem-solver.

Who minors in English?

English minors are Biology majors who are studying for med school, Psychology majors who love writing short stories, Communication majors who want to strengthen their writing skills, Political Science majors who are going into law, Sociology majors who loved their high school English class, Economics majors who are always reading on the Blue Line.

What if I’m not an LAS student?

Students in other colleges can minor in English! If you’re in Urban Education, Public Health, Business, or Applied Health Sciences, you are still welcome in the English department!

What do all English minors have in common?

They all gain the ability to analyze texts in historical and cultural contexts; understand literary, theory, and methods of criticism; gain a sense of literary and linguistic history and a deep understanding of how ideas change over time; and display strong interpretive and analytical skills.

  • Professional Writing

    16 credited hours to be completed

    • Required Course: Media and Professional Writing (ENGL 280, 3 hours)
    • Select one of the following:
      • ENGL 153: English Grammar and Style (3 hours)
      • ENGL 154: Understanding Rhetoric (3 hours)
    • 6 hours: 2 selective courses in professional or technical writing, editing, publishing, and media
    • 3-6 hours: 1 portfolio or internship practicum

  • Logic, Argumentation, and Writing

    16 credited hours to be completed

    An interdisciplinary minor offered by English and Philosophy offers the best of both worlds – targeted training from two fields whose students score among the highest on the LSATs (higher than Political Science, Psychology, Criminology or Sociology). And we even offer an internship opportunity, so you get some real-world training.

    • 2 required courses:
      • ENGL 154: Understanding Rhetoric (3 hours)
      • PHIL 102: Introductory Logic (3 hours)
    • 2 selective courses in philosophical reasoning and rhetoric (6 hours)
    • 1 portfolio or internship practicum (3-6 hours)
    • 1 PHIL or ENGL elective (3 hours)

  • English

    18 credited hours to be completed:

    Required Courses (3 hours each)

          • ENGL 207: Interpretation and Critical Analysis
          • ENGL 208: English Studies I: The Beginning to the 17th Century
          • ENGL 209: English Studies II: The 17th Century to Today

         

        Additional Courses:

  • Teaching of English

    Secondary education majors from other disciplines who want to minor in the Teaching of English must complete 18 hours in the English minor curriculum listed.

    This minor is open only to students obtaining full licensure in an approved UIC Teacher Education major. To teach English as a second subject in Illinois public schools, one must meet all additional course and other requirements established by the Illinois State Board of Education.

    The teaching license is not automatically awarded upon successful completion of licensure and degree requirements. Before the license is issued, the candidate must file an application with the State of Illinois and take an examination administered by the State Board of Education. For information on application procedures, contact the Council on Teacher Education.

    Please contact your advisor for more information on a Minor in Teaching of English.

Joey Liang, English student

“Throughout my undergraduate experience, my favorite classes were always my English courses. I loved how they allowed me to express myself creatively and challenged me to further my critical thinking skills. I also met some of the kindest and most intelligent people in my English courses that I continue to learn from today.” 

-Joey Liang, Class of 2022

Erin Boyle smiling

“The English department has not only given me the tools to critically analyze and interpret the world around me, but also the confidence and curiosity to creatively contribute to that world.”

-Erin Boyle, Class of 2024