Majoring & Minoring

Major requirements ensure that majors are exposed to a broad range of issues and texts representative of the discipline.

The major necessarily includes courses that present the historical and cultural range of literary production, a deliberate encounter with interpretive strategies under the heading of critical theory, and, under "emergent literatures or popular cultures," a set of courses that exceed established, national canons of literature. Special topics courses (10-303) are frequently offered that, where designated, fulfill these requirements.

English 10-153, 10-163, 10-173 and 10-183 are strongly recommended to the prospective major or minor.

Major in English

30 semester hours, including English 10-183; two courses in English literature written before 1785 from 10-153, 603, 613, 623, 633, 643, 653 (only one course in Shakespeare can count toward this requirement); one course in English literature written since 1785 from 10- 163, 663, 673, 683; one course in American literature from 10-173, 713, 733, 753; one course in emergent literatures and popular cultures from 10-513, 523, 533, 543, 573, 593; one course in critical theory from 10-403, 443, 473, 913; 10-913 or 933 (Capstone); enough additional hours of English to total 30 hours overall, and at least 18 hours above the introductory level.

Minor in English

18 semester hours, including English 10-183; one survey or period course in English literature written before 1785 from 10-153, 603, 613, 623, 633, 643, 653; 12 additional hours of English, with sufficient hours above the introductory level to total at least 12 hours above the introductory level.

It is possible to complete a 54-hour paired major in English and Feminist Studies by double counting two courses cross-listed in English and Feminist Studies, Feminist Film Studies (10-473), Topics in Women's Literature (10-573), Topics in Romanticism (10-663), and Topics in Victorian Literature and Culture (10-673). The department frequently offers other, more specialized, cross-listed courses that might substitute for one of these cross-listed courses with the approval of both the English and Feminist Studies chairs.

Tutorials and Independent Study (10-903 and 10-951, 952, 953) are open to majors and minors who wish to develop special projects.

See the Education Department for information regarding teacher certification in English.