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Guide to the Literature Minor

English Course Listings
English Course Listings

Click here for information about the English Literature Minor prior to Fall 2022

Requirements for the Minor

The English Literature Minor comprises two 200-level "Historical Breadth" courses, English 300, and 4 additional literature courses. “Historical Breadth” courses are defined as classes that engage with at least 200 years of literature from a particular tradition, genre, or theme. These courses will expose students to the longue durée of literary history and narratives of continuity and change over time. One Historical Breadth course must focus on literature written pre-1830 and the other must focus on literature written post-1830. Courses that fulfill the “Historical Breadth” requirement are clearly marked in English Course Listings.

Students are also required to take English 300, a seminar that teaches fundamental skills in reading and interpretation and exposes students to new ways of thinking about literary texts. There are no prerequisites for English 300.  English 300 may only be taken once, and it does not count toward the 4 additional courses required for the minor.

Minors have wide latitude in selecting their four additional literature courses, but two of those courses must engage primarily with literature written before 1830 and two must engage primarily with literature written after 1830. Courses satisfying these requirements are clearly identified in English Course Listings (see sidebar). Minors may count up to one 200-level literature course as an additional course.  A comparative literature course at the 300-level may also count toward the English Literature minor.

A worksheet to help you keep track of your progress through the English minor is available here.  Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022 should use this form.

Declaring an English Literature Minor 

You may download major declaration forms and minor declaration forms from Weinberg's Policies, Procedures and Forms page. Once you have completed the form, e-mail it to Jeffrey Masten, the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).  Once signed by the DUS, they will then submit the completed declaration form to the WCAS Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Petitioning to Graduate

The process of petitioning to graduate with a major or minor in English Literature takes place via the Frevvo portal administered by the Registrar. As part of this process, the Director of Undergraduate Studies reviews the degree progress report in CAESAR to verify that all requirements have been completed. Please fill out the major worksheet or minor worksheet  and be sure to attach it to your petition in Frevvo.  (If you are completing the pre-2022 version of the English requirements, the relevant worksheets appear here: major; minor.)  Be sure to include and mark on your worksheet any future courses you plan to take to fulfill the major or minor.

Pre-registration

Minors are eligible to pre-register for up to two English literature courses per quarter. Note, however, that students may only pre-register for a total of two courses across all majors and minors. Pre-registration times are based on class year and student identification number, with seniors beginning on Monday morning. See the Registrar’s website for the specific schedule.