Opportunities in the English Department

Sigma Tau Delta 

Sigma Tau Delta is the international English Honor Society. A member of the Association of College Honor Societies, it was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The purposes of the Society are:

• To confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.
• To promote an interest in literature and English language on campus and in the community.
• To foster the discipline of English in all its aspects, including creative and critical writing.

Sigma Tau Delta offers several scholarships and awards and opportunities for publication in The Rectangle, its award-winning magazine.

Eligibility: Students must have completed three semesters of college work, have attained a minimum of a B average in English courses, and rank at least in the highest 35% of their class in general scholarship. Details available in the English Office or contact Dr. Sue Richardson .

Chapter One

The English Club is an organization open to all UNCW students (regardless of major) with a common interest in literature (including both "serious" and popular literature) as well as in related areas such as film, drama, American studies, and popular culture. To promote such an interest, the English Club (beyond regular meetings and social-recreational functions) sponsors such events as informal discussion forums; encourages the support of various cultural resources within the community; shares in the many cultural opportunities provided both on and off campus, including theatrical performances, special film screenings, and poetry and fiction readings.

Departmental Honors

The Departmental Honors Program at UNCW provides an opportunity for superior students to engage in an advanced individual scholarly project in a specialized area. Graduation with departmental honors is a signal honor that is recognized on the student's diploma.

Honors work involves independent study under the supervision of a faculty member in the student's major field. This independent study should be outstanding scholarly work appropriate to the academic standards of the student's major discipline, and should be completed in two 3-credit hour semesters or three 2-hour semesters. The results of the Honors work are summarized in a paper and presented orally before an examining committee. Generally, students do their work in departmental honors in their last two semesters. However, a student may begin in the junior year. In fact, students should be encouraged to begin their Honors work as soon as possible. Two semesters is not enough time for some projects.

Eligibility: a student must have a quality point average of 3.2 or better (including all transfer courses attempted) over the first 74 semester hours, must have completed at least 30 semester hours work with a 3.2 or better quality point average at UNCW, and must be recommended by the chairperson of the area of concentration. Application forms are available in the Registrar's Office and must be approved by the department chairperson. Participation in the program requires six semester hours of work in the major during the final three semesters, with a maximum of three semester hours in any one semester, and includes independent study in the area of concentration, a paper reporting on the results of the study, and an oral examination. Honors work is not intended to replace any specifically required courses. Further information may be found at the link above.

University Honors

To graduate with University Honors, a student must complete at least 12 credit hours of basic studies courses honor selections, complete 6 credits of "Interdisciplinary Honors Seminars," complete 2 credits of "Honors Enrichment Seminar," maintain academic eligibility, earn a minimum of a 2.00 in all honors work and have a 3.00 overall GPA in all honors curriculum coursework, and complete requirements for Departmental Honors.

International Studies Courses

Academic departments at the university may offer special international study courses during the regular semesters or summer sessions without adding them to their permanent curricula. Each course must be approved by the appropriate dean. These courses will include regular classroom assignments, lectures and discussions, travel and field work, and visits to historic and cultural sites. Study will take place outside the United States, usually in association with local universities abroad. A student must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 and may take a maximum of 12 credit hours in INT 294 and/or INT 494.

Study Abroad: Students who enroll in off-campus courses in institutions in foreign countries and wish to apply credit in these courses toward a degree at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington must complete the Permission for Study Abroad Approval Form, available in the Office of International Programs, before registering for the course. 

Directed Independent Study

DIS is an opportunity for superior students to conduct inquiries into subjects either not covered or insufficiently covered in existing courses. According to the UNCW Catalogue, Directed Individual Study, designated as 491, is a course involving investigation beyond what is offered in existing courses. To enroll in a Directed Individual Study, students must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 and the approval of:

1. the faculty member who would direct the study,
2. the departmental chairperson, and
3. the appropriate dean.

Departmental criteria will include:

1. the availability of the instructor (ordinarily instructors will not supervise more than six student credit hours of Directed Individual Study per semester)
2. the appropriateness of and need for the proposed study in the student's program,
3. the availability of library and other research resources, and
4. the feasibility of completion of the proposed study in the allotted time.
5. Students are limited to nine credit hours of Directed Individual Study toward graduation requirements, not more than three of which can be outside the area of concentration.

In addition to the departmental criteria specified in the catalogue, the Department of English requires that any candidate for Directed Individual Study have junior or senior standing, have 9 hours of literature or writing courses (depending on project focus), including at least 3 hours at the 300-400 level, have an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in all English courses taken, be able to present to the department chairperson a well-conceived plan of research, and receive consent of department chairperson. Directed Individual Study is not conceived as a program of reading exclusively or as a substitute for existing courses. The required form is available in the English office.

Writing Place

English majors, particularly those interested in teaching, are invited to volunteer their services as Writing Center consultants or tutors. The Writing Center is located in Westside Hall and incorporates the Reading Lab and Tutorial Assistance. Please contact the Writing Place for details (910) 962-7857.

Newspaper Staff

The editor of the Seahawk welcomes student writers. In covering campus activities and special events, students can gain journalistic and related experience.