Major in English
The major in English consists of ten courses given by, or approved by, the department.
All majors must elect ENGL 210 as soon as possible after declaring an English major; students considering an English major are urged to take ENGL 210 in their sophomore year. ENGL 210 is the prerequisite for all 300-level literature courses offered by this department.
Students may choose either the writing or literature option for their English major.
Core Required Courses
The following courses are required of all majors:
| Course Name | Number | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 2 Courses | ||
| Shakespeare | ENGL-121 | 4.00 | Lecture |
| Critical Interpretation | ENGL-210 | 4.00 | Lecture |
The Writing Option
- Two writing courses (105, 107, 109, 305, 310, 350)
- One course: Any Literature before 1610 (111, 112, 321, 326)
- One course: English Literature 1610-1800 (231, 243, 342)
- One course: 19th Century English Literature (254, 304, 306, 307)
- One course: American Literature before 1900 (235, 138, 161, 162, 312, 320)
- One course: Multi-Ethnic Literature (163, 178, 220, 251, 275, 276, 308, 316, 317, 330)
- One literature elective
Note: Two of these ten courses must be 300-level literature seminars.
The Literature Option
- One course covering literature before 1610 (ENGL 111, 112, 321, or 326)
- One course covering literature from 1610-1800 (ENGL 231, 243, or 342)
- One course covering 19th-century English literature (ENGL 254, 304, 306, 307)
- One course in American literature before 1900 (ENGL 235, 138, 161, 162, 312, or 320)
- One course in multi-ethnic literature (ENGL 163, 178, 220, 251, 275, 276, 308, 316, 317, or 330)
- Three literature electives
Note: Two of these ten courses must be 300-level literature seminars.
In special circumstances, with agreement of the instructor and approval of the chair, ENGL 349 Directed Study may be substituted for a course offered in a required area. Note that directed study does not count towards the independent learning requirement.
In consultation with her departmental advisor, each student is encouraged to choose required and elective courses to extend the range of her familiarity with literature or to explore in greater depth areas of particular interest: historical periods, comparative literature studies, genres, themes, or individual figures. Although most students will have little difficulty planning their programs within the suggested framework, students who wish to modify it are invited to consult with the department chair. Such students may want to take greater advantage of the independent learning option.
In the Department of English, some or all of the College's independent learning requirement can be met by any student in the following ways: ENGL 350, 355, 370, or 380 or a special project in an appropriate 300-level course, elected after consultation with the instructor regarding its suitability for this purpose. Alternatively, English majors may meet the requirement by taking appropriate courses or completing projects in an area other than English.