Overview of the Major

The Department of English offers courses in literature, in language, and in writing. Our courses in literature have many different focuses: major authors, historical periods, genres, critical theories and methods, as well as cultural and multicultural studies. Courses in language offer instruction in both the history and the structure of the English language. Writing courses offer training in both expository and creative writing.

The major in English is designed to introduce students to the history of literature written in English, to acquaint them with a variety of historical periods and geographical and cultural regions of English language and writing, to create an awareness of methods and theories of literary and cultural analysis, and to provide continued training in critical writing. Before declaring the major, students normally must have completed the Reading and Composition requirement of the college.

The core of the major consists of seven courses: English 45A-45B-45C, a course in Shakespeare, an upper division course in literature before 1800, and two upper division seminars, English 100 and 150. English 45A-45B-45C is an intensive survey of literature in English from Chaucer through the 20th century, including British, American, and Anglophone writing. Together with the required course in Shakespeare, this sequence provides a foundation on which to build more specialized upper division course work in accord with the Areas of Concentration described under "Major Program" below. Prerequisites, as well as a detailed description of major requirements, may also be found there.

Please note major requirements for students declaring Fall 2003 and after have changed. See the current requirements for details.

If you have declared the English Major on or before July 1, 2003, see the previous requirements.

For questions regarding the undergraduate program and classes, please contact

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Last modified: January 25, 2005

The Undergraduate Program:

• Overview of the Major
• The Major as of Fall 2003
• The Major before Fall 2003
• The English Minor
• The Honors Program
• Faculty Adviser Hours