Honors in English

Effective Summer 2007

HONORS COURSE H195A/B: An honors degree in English requires the completion of a two-semester 8-unit course, English H195A-B, offered every year in a Fall-Spring sequence only. H195 is a limited-enrollment course in criticism and critical theory. In English 195A, students begin to research and develop their thesis projects. At the end of H195A, a grade of IP (In Progress) is assigned. In H195B students work independently, under the supervision of the H195 instructor and a thesis adviser, to complete the honors thesis (normally 40-60 pages). Upon completion of the thesis, and only then, students earn 8 units and a letter grade for the whole sequence.

There are three degrees of honors based on GPA in English at the time of graduation: "Honors in the Major" (3.650-3.760), "High Honors in the Major" (3.761-3.870), and "Highest Honors in the Major" (3.871-4.000).

REQUIREMENTS: The minimum GPA normally necessary for enrollment in H195A/B is 3.51 in all courses taken at the University of California (including UC EAP) and 3.65 in courses taken at Berkeley in the major.

APPLICATIONS: Majors interested in the Honors Course must complete an application (available beginning in early April in the racks outside the English Department office, 322 Wheeler). See the English Department's Announcement of Classes, posted on the web, for more details about application to and acceptance in H195A/B. Unlike most courses, English H195A/B class lists will not be compiled until the beginning of the fall term. Students admitted to H195A will need to sign up for the course on Tele-BEARS at that time (not before).

Answers to frequently asked questions:

  1. H195A-B counts as 2 courses toward the total of 12 needed for completion of the major.
  2. H195A counts as 4 units on the student's Fall study list.
  3. H195A-B may be used to satisfy the English 150 (Senior Seminar) requirement.

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Last modified: November 15, 2007