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English

Requirements for the Major in Literature

  • Read a literary work closely and critically. Required course for all majors: ENGL 260. Introduction to Literary Studies. The department strongly recommends that students take ENGL 260 before enrolling in any upper-level English course. The Writing Intensive Requirement Part II is fulfilled by ENGL 260.

  • Recognize the importance of the cultural contexts in which each work locates itself. The department requires two courses in "cultural context." One of the courses must be one of the following surveys: ENGL 204, 205, 210, 211, 213, or 217. Alternately, GDST 252 or GDST 253 shall count as filling the requirement of a survey course.

  • Become knowledgeable about the broad traditions of American and English literature. The department requires three 300/400-level courses emphasizing literature written before 1800; two 300/400-level courses emphasizing literature written after 1800; and two courses as electives (at least one elective English course must be at the 300/400-level).

  • Develop and refine the interpretive theories and formal patterns students use to understand works of literature. The department requires one course in literary theory.

  • Bring to bear on each work students read all their experience as readers and critics. The department requires a senior English major project, which may be a senior thesis or a senior seminar. You should undertake your project in your senior year.

The selection of courses must also take into account the following distribution requirements:

  • One advanced course (excluding ENGL 260) must emphasize poetry.

  • One advanced course must emphasize British literature.

  • One advanced course must emphasize American literature.

Requirements for the Major in Creative Writing

  • Read a literary work closely and critically. Required course for all majors: ENGL 260. Introduction to Literary Studies. The department strongly recommends that students take ENGL 260 before enrolling in any upper-level English course. The Writing Intensive Requirement Part 2 is fulfilled by ENGL 260.

  • Recognize the importance of the cultural contexts in which each work locates itself. The department requires two courses in "cultural context." One of the courses must be one of the following surveys: ENGL 204, 205, 210, 211, 213, or 217. Alternately, GDST 252 or GDST 253 shall count as filling the requirement of a survey course.

  • Become knowledgeable about the broad traditions of American and English literature. The department requires three 300/400-level courses emphasizing literature written before 1800; and two 300/400-level courses emphasizing literature written after 1800.

  • Cultivate your talents for imaginative writing.The department requires all those concentrating in creative writing to take ENGL 270. Introduction to Creative Writing. Some upper-level creative writing courses may require ENGL270.

  • Take at least one advanced creative writing workshop (ENGL 333, 334, 335, 336, or 337, or THDN293. Playwrights' Workshop I). Each of these workshops has a literature pre- or co-requisite—see your adviser.

  • Take a senior workshop (ENGL 492, 494, or THDN 383. Playwrights' Workshop II).

  • Write a thesis (restricted to students with A- average in the English major) or take a second advanced creative writing workshop (ENGL 333, 334, 335, 336, or 337, or THDN 293. Playwrights' Workshop I). Each workshop has a literature pre- or co-requisite—see your adviser.

The selection of courses must also take into account the following distribution requirements:

  • One advanced course (excluding ENGL 260) must emphasize poetry.

  • One advanced course must emphasize British literature.

  • One advanced course must emphasize American literature.

A course will count toward the major if the grade earned is a C- or higher.

The English Minor —The student electing a minor in English will choose a concentration in either literature or creative writing. In order to declare a minor in English, the student must meet with the department chair. Only courses in which the student has received a grade of at least C- can count toward the minor in English.

Literature Concentration

Six courses in literature:

  • 1. ENGL 260. Introduction to Literary Studies

  • 2. One cultural context (introductory or advanced level) or one survey (ENGL 204, 205, 210, 211, 213, or 217 or GDST252 or 253)

  • 3. One 300/400-level pre-1800 course

  • 4. One 300/400 level post-1800 course

  • 5 and 6. Two electives, at least one of which must be at the 300/400-level

Creative Writing Concentration

Six courses—three in literature and three in creative writing:

  • 1. ENGL 260. Introduction to Literary Studies

  • 2 and 3. Two literature courses—one must be pre-1800; one must be upper-level

  • 4. ENGL270. Introduction to Creative Writing

  • 5. One advanced creative writing workshop (ENGL 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, or THDN 293)

  • 6. Senior workshop in fiction, poetry, or playwriting (ENGL 492, 494, or THDN 383)

The selection of courses for either concentration in the minor must also take into account the following requirements:

  • One advanced course (excluding ENGL 260) must emphasize poetry.

  • One advanced course must emphasize British literature.

  • One advanced course must emphasize American literature.

Honors —In order to earn honors in the major, all students must attain a minimum of an A- GPA in all English courses counting toward major requirements. In addition, all students must do distinguished work (earning a minimum of A-) in an honors senior project. The honors senior project consists of either:

  • A two-semester senior thesis. A student must earn an A- or better on the thesis to achieve honors.

  • A senior seminar plus a one-semester senior thesis. A student must earn an A- or better in the senior seminar and on the one-term thesis to achieve honors. The student may do the thesis and the seminar in either term.

  • For students concentrating in creative writing, a fall-term senior workshop plus a spring-term creative thesis if the student has earned a minimum GPA of A- in the major by the end of junior year or a second advanced workshop taken during the second semester of the senior year. A student must earn an A- or better in the senior workshop and on the creative thesis or on the second advanced workshop taken during spring term of senior year to achieve honors.

Students who plan to continue the study of English in graduate school should see Professor David Rosen or the department chair about special preparation, preferably in their sophomore year or early in their junior year.

Study Away —The English Department encourages its students to take the opportunity to study abroad, both in countries in which English is the primary language and elsewhere. Students interested in studying abroad or elsewhere in the United States should discuss questions of transferring credits, fulfilling requirements, and other related matters with the department’s study abroad adviser, Professor Milla Riggio.

Cognate Courses—The Department of English recommends that its majors work in the widest range of fields, including mathematics and the natural sciences. We also urge students when selecting courses to choose appropriate cognates from the following fields: American studies, classics, comparative literature, educational studies, computer science, fine arts (art history), history, international studies, language and culture studies, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology, theater arts, and women, gender, and sexuality studies. Majors should consult their advisers when choosing courses.