The major is designed to build an inclusive knowledge of literature, to develop skills required for the critical interpretation of texts and to teach the principles of critical and creative writing. The major emphasizes the historical reach of literary study through its historical distribution requirement. The theory requirement introduces influential concepts and debates underlying the study of language, literature, and their cultural impact. The range of electives and seminars that make up the bulk of the curriculum allows for flexibility in designing individual majors while ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the varieties of literary study.
The English major consists of a total of 10 required courses:
Sophomore Literature Requirement: All undergraduate students are required to take the three core English requirements (EN 1000, 1100, and 1200). However, only the sophomore literature requirement (any of the courses in the EN or CO 1200 range) may count as one of the 10 required courses for the English major.
Junior Theory Requirement: All majors are required to take Theory for the English Majors (EN 3045) or Theories of Comparative Literature (CO 3000). These courses introduce students to debates in literary and critical theory.
Historical Distribution Requirement: From the eight remaining elective courses, at least three must be designated in a historical period before 1800.
Creative Writing Courses: English majors may apply up to two writing courses (either English creative writing courses at the 3000-level or above, or Communications courses cross-listed with English) toward their elective requirements.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
Although seniors may enroll in the course, Theory for English Majors or Theories of Comparative Literature should ordinarily be taken during junior year.
2.
English majors should take a seminar (4000-level) during their senior year.
3.
English majors should take at least one or two courses with an interdisciplinary or comparative literature focus, including cross-listed courses offered by other Programs and Departments.
The minor in English consists of any six English courses beyond the freshman level, one of which may be a sophomore literature course and at least four of which must be literature courses.
Departmental Honors
The department offers an honors option in English for seniors with a 3.6 GPA or higher in English who wish to do an ambitious piece of research and writing under the individual direction of a faculty member or in conjunction with a senior seminar. English majors who are minoring in creative writing or completing the creative writing option may do a creative writing project for honors. Interested students should discuss this option with the Associate Chair and then choose a member of the faculty as an advisor for the thesis. The thesis is to be written over the course of one semester, ending with an honors defense with the advisor and one departmental reader. That committee then evaluates whether the thesis defense qualifies the student for departmental honors.
For further information on undergraduate studies in English, please contact the Associate Chair for Rose Hill, Dr. Maria Farland or the Associate Chair for Lincoln Center, Dr. Anne Hoffman.
