Major

The English major program seeks to expose students to a wide range of texts and methodologies, to develop an awareness of the histories and contexts of literature, and to cultivate the fundamental skills of critical reading and writing.

The major consists of ten courses. ENLS 200 is required. There are two distribution requirements: Students must take two courses whose primary emphasis is in literature before 1800, and one course in American or Anglophone literature. A single course cannot fulfill both requirements. At least seven of the ten major courses must be courses at the 400-level or above, also including the following writing courses: ENLS 263, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, and 367. One 500-level seminar is required, preferably taken in the junior or senior year. As these courses will vary in content each semester, students should consult the new course descriptions for the semester that are posted on the English Department website and available in the department office before enrolling. Students may, with the approval of their major advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, count one course taken in another department as an elective within the English major. Up to two Internships may be taken for credit towards the major. For students pursuing departmental honors, only 4 credits of the credits for the honors thesis are to be counted towards the major requirements. Only 4 transfer courses may be counted towards the major.

A complete description of the Major can be downloaded here in pdf format

Undergraduate Advising Information

When declaring an English Major/Minor you must first take a Major/Minor Declaration Form to the Director of Undergraduate Studies during office hours.  If you are declaring a Major, the DUS will assign an advisor to you, fill out a Major check sheet (please print the form above and fill out the top portion before your visit) showing all the requirements for the Major, and check off the courses you have already taken that fulfill these requirements.  This sheet will help you keep track of the courses you take that fulfill your English Major and is used, along with your audit, for certification at graduation.