Literature Minor Frequently Asked Questions
INTRODUCTORY COURSES
How should I start the English Minor?
Your first step should be to begin either the English Literary Traditions sequence (English 210-1 and 210-2) or the American Literary Traditions Sequence (English 270-1 and 270-2). It’s okay to take your chosen sequence out of order.
You may also take English 300 at any time, as there are no prerequisites to enroll. It’s okay to take English 300 with none or just one quarter of your chosen sequence under your belt. Sometimes it even makes sense to take 300 concurrently with the first quarter of your chosen sequence.
Your third step should be to begin taking 300-level English literature courses. It’s best to begin these advanced courses after you’ve completed English 300. English 300 teaches you how to write the standard eight-page analytical paper required for most 300-level literature classes.
Can I take a “mixed” sequence, i.e. one quarter of English Literary Traditions and one quarter of American Literary Traditions?
When should I take English 300?
ADVANCED COURSES
I’ve enjoyed my 300-level English courses, but now I’m ready for a greater challenge. What should be my next step?
Independent studies are open to senior English literature minors with strong departmental records. A student who wishes to pursue an independent study must find a faculty sponsor for his or her project and submit a completed application, available here, before the end of Registration Week. The application should include a substantial syllabus, including reading assignments and due dates for writing assignments. Any member of the English department faculty may sponsor a 399 project. Teaching assistants are not eligible to guide Independent Study projects.
Are there any other possibilities?
ADDITIONAL LITERATURE COURSES
When should I start taking 300-level English literature courses?
Do all of my additional literature courses have to be at the 300 level?
Can a literature course taken outside the English Department count as an additional literature course?
Can I receive credit for two different versions of the same course?
You can receive credit for different versions of courses with general titles such as “English 378: Studies in American Literature” as long as each version of the course has a distinct topic. If you aren’t sure whether topics are sufficiently distinct, consult the course instructor or the DUS.