Course sequences
Taking courses in sequence
The English and Creative Writing curriculums are designed to add breadth and depth to your study of English literature and writing. The preferred way to proceed is to start with introductory courses and surveys which provide broad overviews and area coverage to prepare majors for advanced coursework as juniors and seniors.
Ideal sequence for English literature (Total of 11 courses over 8 semesters)
| 1st semester | Introductory course | Engl 200 or 101 | 1 course |
| 2nd semester | Survey course | Engl 209 or 210 or 255 | 1 course |
| 3rd semester | Survey course plus 200 level course | As above plus Engl 2xx from Groups I thru V | 2 courses |
| 4th semester | Survey course plus Engl 301 or other 200-level course or Comp II course | As above plus Engl 301 or 2xx or Engl 300 | 2 courses |
| 5th semester | Engl 301 or Comp II course and/or Group course or advanced Shakespeare | Engl 300 and/or Engl 301 or 2xx and/or 4xx | 2 courses |
| 6th semester | Advanced Shakespeare or course(s) to fulfill group | Engl 3xx or 4xx
|
1 course |
| 7th semester | Advanced course(s) to fulfill group | As above | 1 course |
| 8th semester | Advanced course to fulfill group | As above | 1 course |
English curriculum:
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/-undergraduate-/majors-english.html
Ideal sequence for Creative Writing (Total of 10 courses over 8 semesters)
| 1st semester | Introductory writing course | CW 104 or 106 | 1 course |
| 2nd semester | 200-level literature course | Engl 2xx | 1 course |
| 3rd semester | Intermediate writing course | CW 204 or 302 or 406 | 1 course |
| 4th semester | 200-level literature course | Engl 2xx | 1 course |
| 5th semester | Comp II course or other advanced writing course or additional course | Rhet 243 or CW 208 or other (see list) | 1 course |
| 6th semester | As above plus advanced lit course (including Shakespeare) | Rhet 243 or CW 208 plus Engl 3xx or 4xx | 2 courses |
| 7th semester | As above plus advanced lit or Shakespeare | See above | 2 courses |
| 8th semester | As above plus advanced lit or Shakespeare if needed | See above | 1 course |
Creative Writing courses are sequenced for a reason. If you want to take CW 204, make sure you’ve taken its prerequisite, CW 104. The same is true for CW 202, 208, 404, 406, and 455. Prerequisites are essential and enforced by instructors.
CW curriculum: http://www.english.uiuc.edu/-undergraduate-/majors-rhetoric.html