Guide to the English Literature Major

The English Literature Major consists of 15 courses; 13 major courses, and 2 related courses.

  1. Effective Fall 2011, there are no prerequisite courses for declaring the major in English Literature.  As soon as you know that you want to major in English, and whether or not you have taken any English courses, see Dave Kuzel in University Hall Room 215 to complete your declaration form. 
    • Major Courses: We encourage students to take the required courses for the major (English 210-1,2 or 270-1,2 and English 298) as early as possible. 


      1. Complete either 210-1,2 (British Literary Traditions) or 270-1,2 (American Literary Traditions)
      2. English 298
      3. At least nine courses must be at the 300-level
      4. One additional course at either the 200- or 300-level
      5. At least eight must be English Department courses, literature courses offered by the African American Studies Department, or courses taught by members of the English Department through other departments or programs and that deal substantially with literary works originally written in English (not in translation).
      6. Three must deal substantially with texts written before 1798, and three must cover texts written after 1798.
      7. At least one class must be in American literature.
      8. At least one class must be in literary criticism or theory.

  2. Related Courses:
  3. Two 200- or 300-level courses in subjects other than literature, that are appropriate to the student's concentration (For variations, see descriptions of individual concentrations).

    Declaring an English Literature Major

    As soon as you know that you want to major in English, see Dave Kuzel in University Hall Room 215 to complete your declaration form. After completing the Declaration of Major form (available in the Department Office, UH 215), take it to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Prof. Jay Grossman, UH 305) for approval. Once your Declaration form has been signed, you must first return part of it to the Department Office (after which you will be added to the English listserv), and then take the remainder to the Office of Studies at 1922 Sheridan Road.

    Pre-registration

    Pre-registration occurs during the week prior to Advanced Registration each quarter. During this time, all English majors can register for up to two English courses. Please note however that if you are a double major, or have a minor in another program, you are still limited to a maximum of two courses during pre-registration, regardless of how many departments. Appointment times are based on your year and social security number, with seniors beginning on Monday morning.  The Registrar's website will have the specific schedule of times.

    Advising

    Each quarter, all majors must meet with one of the designated English faculty advisors to plan their schedule and to address any other concerns the student may have. These advisors will hold extended office hours during Advising Week (the week prior to pre-registration). One calendar year prior to your anticipated date of graduation, you must have your Petition to Graduate and Major Worksheet signed by one of the English faculty advisors.

    List of Current Literature Advisors

    Back to Major in Literature

Upcoming Event

All the Missing Souls: A Personal History of the War Crimes Tribunals
February 10, 201212:00 PM - 1:00 PM

August 17, 2011