Department of English Language and Literature

Requirements for the Degree Beginning Fall 2023

Please note that students entering the University as of Fall 2023 must follow the revised major requirements. Current English Literature majors (pre-Fall 2023) can choose between the former and the revised major, and are encouraged to discuss this with their advisors prior to submitting a Change of Major form.

See the pre-Fall 2023 degree requirements.

The major emphasizes the historical and cultural understanding of the development of literature in English from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 21st century and requires courses in theory and genre. Students of literature learn to read, think, and write critically, to make interdisciplinary connections, and to develop aesthetic appreciation. The training in the skills of research and writing culminates in the senior year thesis. The program offers the option of a Creative Writing concentration.

ENGLISH LITERATURE MAJOR

Learning outcomes of the B.A. Degree in English Literature

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

A. The proficiency and General Distribution Requirements of the University 

NOTE: Students who are declared English Literature majors are allowed to take one of the following literature courses at the same time as they are taking EN 110: EN 201, EN 230, EN 231 or EN 223.

B. Core Curriculum

  • EN 201 Foundations of Literary Analysis
  • EN 215 Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theories
  • EN 223 American Literature
  • EN 230 Eng. Lit. I: Literary Beginning to Milton
  • EN 231 Eng. Lit. II: Enlightenment to Romanticism
  • EN 232 Eng. Lit. III: Victorians to Modernists
  • EN/CW 480 Capstone Project

The University requires an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all courses taken at the University, with no more than two grades lower than C- in core courses.

C. Major Electives (no concentration): 9 courses across the following four areas:

  • Genre and Author: (3 courses from three of the following categories)
    • Poetry
    • Fiction
    • Drama
  • Movements and Eras: (3 courses from three of the following categories)
    • Pre-romantics
    • Romantics
    • Modern
  • Identities and Geographies (2 courses)
  • Theoretical and Digital Humanities (1 course)

C. Major Electives (Creative Writing concentration): 9 courses across the following four areas:

  • Genre and Author: (2 courses from two of the following categories)
    • Poetry, drama, or fiction
  • Movements and Eras: (2 courses from two of the following categories)
    • Pre-romantics, Romantics, or Modern
  • Identities and Geographies (2 courses)
  • CW workshop (at least 3 courses)

Of the required 9 major elective courses, at least 6 must be at a 300 level.

Note: Students are allowed to take the same advanced (300-level) CW workshops more than once to fulfill the requirements of the concentration.

D. General Electives sufficient to give a total of 120 credits.