Programs in English Literature and English Writing
- Majoring in English Literature
- Minoring in English Literature
- Majoring in English Writing
- Minoring in English Writing
- Double Majoring in English Literature and English Writing
Majoring in English
Most students begin their majors in the English Department in the sophomore year. Upon formally petitioning for a major in English, a student will be assigned a faculty advisor. It is highly recommended that soon thereafter the student meet with her advisor to plan how she will satisfy the requirements in her chosen program.
English Literature
The English Literature major is a sequence of courses covering the history of English literature from the 14th to the 21st centuries. Students take 27 semester hours of coursework above the 100-level.
- One Course in American Literature
- Choice of one of the following:
- a course in Medieval literature
- ENLT411 Chaucer
- a course in 16th/17th century literature
- Choice of two of the following:
- a course in 18th century literature
- a course in Romantic literature
- a course in Victorian literature
- a course in 20th/21st-century literature
(A variety of courses fulfill these historical period requirements, including both 300-level surveys and 400-level seminars.)
- ENLT413 Shakespeare
- Two open electives in literature or writing
- ENLT495 Senior Literature Seminar
English Writing
The English Writing major combines the study of literature with the challenge of writing in a variety of forms. Students take 27 semester hours of coursework above the 100-level.
- ENWR311 Creative Writing or ENWR310 Introduction to Non-Fiction Prose
- One of the following:
- ENWR317 Expository Writing
- ENWR319 Classical Rhetoric
- Choice of two writing electives above the 100-level
- ENWR495 Senior Writing Project
- Choice of one of the following:
- a course in medieval literature ENLT411, Chaucer
- a course in 16th/17th century literature
- Choice of one of the following:
- a course in 18th century literature
- a course in Romantic literature
- a course in Victorian literature
- One course in 20th-century literature
(A variety of courses fulfill these historical period requirements, including both 300-level surveys and 400-level seminars.)
- ENLT413 Shakespeare
Double Major in Literature and Writing
- ENLT413 Shakespeare
- Choice of one of the following:
- a course in Medieval Literature
- ENLT411, Chaucer
- a course in Renaissance Literature
- One course in 18th-century literature
- One course in Romantic Literature
- One course in Victorian Literature
- Two courses in 20th/21st-century Literature
- One course in American Literature
- Two ENLT electives
(A variety of courses fulfill these areas and historical period requirements, including both 300-level surveys and 400-level seminars.)
- ENWR311 Creative Writing or ENWR310 Introduction to Non-Fiction Prose
- Choice of four writing electives above the 100-level
- ENWR495 Senior Writing Project
Minoring in English
English Literature
Students take 15 semester hours above the 100 level
- ENLT413 Shakespeare
- Choice of one of the following:
- a course in Medieval literature
- ENLT411, Chaucer
- a course in 16th/17th century literature
- Choice of one of the following:
- a course in 18th century literature
- a course in Romantic literature
- a course in Victorian literature
- One course in 20th/21st-century literature
(A variety of courses fulfill these historical period requirements, including both 300-level surveys and 400-level seminars.)
- Choice of one literature elective
English Writing
Students take 15 semester hours above the 100 level
- ENWR311 Creative Writing or ENWR310 Introduction to Non-Fiction Prose
- One of the following:
- ENWR317 Expository Writing
- ENWR319 Classical Rhetoric
- Choice of three advanced writing electives
The Comprehensive Requirement
Literature majors satisfy the College's comprehensive requirement in ENLT495 Senior Literature Seminar. Students make class presentations and submit a research paper at the end of the semester, to be evaluated by a faculty team. Outstanding papers are recommended for Honors in the Major. Writing majors satisfy the College's Comprehensive requirement in ENWR495 Senior Writing Project, which includes an ambitious, extended example of their writing in a creative vein. These projects are also evaluated by a faculty team, and outstanding projects are recommended for Honors in the major.
The Advanced W Requirement
During their junior and senior years, majors put together an Advanced W portfolio which demonstrates their ability to read literature with sensitivity and to write with insight and clarity. A detailed information sheet on the Advanced W requirement is available from the Department Chair. The portfolio includes:
English Literature
- a paper of your choice originally written for any 200-level or above course
- a well-developed analysis of a single literary work
- a seminar paper demonstrating skills in synthesis and critical judgment
English Writing
- a well-developed analysis of a single literary work
- a paper of your choice from any advanced writing course
- a substantial excerpt from your senior writing project
