Frequently Asked questions
1. What are related courses?
2. How does one find out which courses count toward particular concentrations?
3. The major allows for a limited number of literature courses to be taken outside the department, and these are generally not listed in English Notes. How does one find out whether these count?
4. How does one know which related courses count?
5. Can a single course fulfill more than one requirement?
6. Do students have to declare a concentration when declaring the major?
7. Does a student have the right to decide what "counts"?
8. Where do English composition courses count (e.g., English 305)?
9. What about students who take 206 and 207, are unable to become a Writing Major, but who want to be literature majors?
10. How many classes can a student take outside the English department?
11. How many 200-levels can a student take?
12. Is there an English minor?
13. When can a student declare the English Major?
1. What are related courses?
These are primarily non-literature courses that enrich a student’s demonstrated areas of interest within the major. Literature classes in other departments can sometimes count as a limited part (usually two) of the ten courses that comprise the major.
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2. How does one find out which courses count toward particular concentrations?
Beginning in Fall 2006, the requirement that English majors declare a concentration was dropped. Students may no longer opt for a concentration within the major, although students with an existing concentration may keep it, if they so wish.
English Notes indicates how individual courses count. Note that some courses count in multiple concentrations. See also both the course descriptions posted on-line as well as the detailed descriptions of concentrations. However, be aware that concentrations are no longer required.
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4. The major allows for a limited number of literature courses to be taken outside the department, and these are generally not listed in English Notes. How does one find out whether these count?
The number of such courses that can count toward the major is limited, in most cases to two. Note also that many of these courses have special conditions (prerequisites, mastery of a foreign language, advance permission). If students see such a course that they think should count towards the major, they may bring it to their advisor's attention, but approval requires consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies
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5. How does one know which related courses count?
The department wants to encourage students to think of the related courses not simply as a requirement but as an opportunity to seek out classes that enrich their course of study.
Students should take the initiative to find interesting courses. Students should also check the quarterly time schedule to see what relevant, related courses are offered. If a course seems to fit but is not listed for the concentration in any publication prepared by the department, then they should speak with their advisors, who will consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
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6. Can a single course fulfill more than one requirement?
Yes, but a student still has to take 15 courses total to complete the major. A course, for instance, can fulfill the pre- and post-1798, the American literature requirement AND still count as a concentration or non-concentration course. However, related courses cannot fulfill any other requirement; and a related course cannot double within the concentration or non-concentration areas.
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7. Do students have to declare a concentration when declaring the major?
Beginning in Fall 2006, the requirement that English majors declare a concentration was dropped. Students may no longer opt for a concentration within the major, although students with an existing concentration may keep it, if they so wish. Instead, students should discuss with their advisors and teachers how to craft an intellectually coherent course of study within the major, one that both exposes them to a variety of kinds of literary works and allows for a deeper investigation of some particular areas of interest to the student.
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8. Does a student have the right to decide what "counts"?
No. The ideal is that the courses within the department should all be designated correctly by the time a student registers. Whether a particular class counts as a related course may be harder to determine if the course is not listed in any information distributed by the English department. Students may suggest that certain courses not otherwise listed should count, and for the near future, as noted above, advisors have some flexibility. But advisors should exercise caution and consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies when any doubt arises.
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9. Where do English composition courses count (e.g., English 305)?
Composition classes count towards the English major as any other 200- or 300-level English class, depending on the course number
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10. What about students who take 206, 207, or 208 who don't become Writing Majors, but who want to be literature majors?
Prospective majors must take one course from either the 210 or 270 sequence followed by 298 in order to declare. Students may not substitute 206, 207, or 208 for any of these pre-requisite courses. However, an English major may count one 200-level English courses as part of the 10 Core Courses. This 200-level English course can be either English 206, 207, or 208. (See question 12 for more details about 200-level courses)
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11. How many classes can a student take outside the English department?
The general rule is two literature courses and two related courses.
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12. How many 200-levels can a student take?
Two 200-level English courses serve as prerequisites (one quarter of either 210 or 270, and 298). The 210 or 270 sequence is completed as one of the major courses, and a student may take one more 200-level literature course (which will count as one of the ten Core Courses) on top of that.
Students may use 200-level courses in other departments (Political Science, History, Sociology, etc.) to fulfill the "Related Courses" requirement.
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13. Is there an English minor?
Yes. It consists of one quarter of either English 210-1,2 or 270-1,2, English 298, the completion of the 210 or 270 sequence already begun, plus 4 300-level courses, at least two of which must be pre-1798, and at least two post-1798.
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14. When can a student declare the English Major?
The student can declare the major when the student has begun English 298. Declaration forms are available in the English Office and must be signed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
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