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The English Major

With its focus on reading and writing, inquiry and insight, English is an ideal major for anyone seeking the skills essential for success in diverse fields. For the student who loves literature, is there a more rewarding major?

The curriculum reflects a strong commitment to the major periods, authors, and forms, from ancient myth to interactive fiction. In addition, students explore various critical methods, theories, and cultural traditions. All of the department’s courses emphasize communication, especially writing; several courses focus on writing.

Requirements for the Major

The English major consists of at least nine English courses beyond English 110, including
  • English 205
  • One course in literary history (206, 207, 210, 211, or 212)
  • Five courses numbered 300 or above, not including independent study or thesis
  • Two additional courses, which may include one semester of independent study or thesis, but not internship.
  • In consultation with a department adviser, a student should select courses that emphasize various genres, literary and cultural traditions, and theoretical approaches.  The selections should demonstrate a balance between British and American literature and between literature before and after 1800.
English Major with a Concentration in Writing. In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses at least nine literature and writing- or language-focused courses beyond English 110, including
  • English 205
  • One course in literary history (206, 207, 210, 211, or 212)
  • Two 200-level courses (231, 250*, 251, 255, 272 or 273)
  • Any two of 320, 350*, 360, 365, and 395
  • Any two 300- or 400-level English courses except 320, 350, 360, and 395. No more than one semester of independent study or thesis may be included.

    Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may be repeated for credit when they address different topics. The adviser will authorize counting special topics courses toward the concentration when they are offered with a writing focus.

English Major with a Drama/Theater Concentration. In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses a program of study composed of at least nine English and Theater courses beyond English 110, including
  • English 205
  • One course in literary history (English 206, 207, 210, 211, or 212)
  • Two introductory courses in drama and theater (chosen from English 123, 227, 240; and Theater 215, 216, and 221)
  • Three advanced courses in drama and theater (chosen from English 301, 303*, 304*, 334*, 335*, 345, 346, 369*, 370*, 390*, 391*, 495, 496, and Theater 314, 370, 371, and 372 or 373).
  • One additional advanced (300- or 400-level English or Theater course. 

    • The adviser will authorize counting courses marked with an asterisk (*) when they are offered with a drama/theater emphasis.  No more than one semester of internship may be included.

English Major with a Concentration in Film. In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses at least nine film-focused courses beyond English 110, including
  • English 140: Introduction to Film
  • English 205
  • One course in literary history (English 206, 207, 210, 211, or 212)
  • English 240: Film Theory and Practice
  • English 251: Screenwriting
  • English 340: Topics in Film (may be taken more than once depending on topic)
  • Three additional courses selected from the following, at least one of which must be taken outside the English Department:
    • AMS 162: Photography and Memory in American Culture
    • Art 150: Introduction to Time-Based Media
    • Art 239: From Samurai to Cyberpunk--Japanese Animation (Anime)
    • A&S 255: Contemporary Society and the Cinema
    • CL 142: Masterworks of German Literature and Film
    • ENG 116: Film and Literature
    • ENG/THTR 123: Plays in Performance: Stage and Film
    • FREN 424: Literature, Ideas, and Film: 20th-Century French Culture
    • GERM 431: Literature and Film as a Mirror of Socio-Historical Issues
    • GERM 424: Modernism to Postmodernism and Beyond: Literature & Film
    • HIS 255: Vietnam and the American Experience
    • MUS 274: Film Music
    • PHIL 235: Philosophy of Film
    • WGS 256: Gender, Identity, and German Film

    No more than one semester of independent study or thesis may be included.

    The adviser will authorize counting special topics courses toward the concentration when they are offered with a film focus.

The English Minor

Requirements for the Minor.  In consultation with a department adviser, a student selects a minimum of five courses beyond English 110, including English 205 and at least three courses numbered 300 or above.  The English minor is not open to English majors.  No more than one semester of internship may be included.


Requirements for the Minor in Writing.  In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses a minimum of five English courses beyond English 110, including
  • English 205 or 206
  • Any two of English 231, 250*, 255, 272/273 (internship))
  • Any two of English 320, 350*, 360, 365, 395.

    • Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may be repeated for credit when they address different topics. The adviser will authorize counting special topics courses toward the minor when they are offered with a writing focus.


Requirements for the Drama/Theater Minor.  In consultation with a department adviser, a student selects a minimum of five drama/theater courses beyond English 110, including English 227 and four others chosen from the following: English 123, *135, 240, 260, 280, 302, *303, *304, *322, 345, 346, *369, *370, *371, *390, *391, *495, *496; any Theater course except 201; Art 341; *Comparative Literature 225; French 318; and German 325. 
The adviser will authorize counting courses marked with an asterisk (*) when they are offered with a drama/theater emphasis. The drama/theater minor is not open to English majors. No more than one semester of internship may be included.

Requirements for the Minor in Film.  In consultation with a department adviser, a student selects a minimum of five film courses including English 140, 240, and 340, and two others chosen from the following, one of which must be taken from a department other than English: English 116, 123, 251; Art 150, 239; A&S 255; CL 142; FREN 424; GERM 431, 424; HIS 255; MUS 274; PHIL 235; WGS 256.

The film minor is not open to English majors.  The adviser will authorize counting special topics courses toward the minor when they are offered with a film focus.  No more than one semester of independent study may be included.
Designed by Greg Herchenroether '06 and Carolynn Van Dyke.