Guide to the Literature Major
Requirements for the Major Prior to Fall 2022
The English Literature Major comprises two introductory survey courses in English and/or American literature, English 300, English 397, and 9 additional literature courses. The surveys familiarize students with literary traditions and teach the writing and analytical skills expected in advanced literature courses. Majors must take Part 1 of either sequence (210-1 or 270-1) and any one of the three remaining survey courses. The courses may be taken in any order.
English 300 is a seminar that teaches fundamental skills of literary interpretation and exposes students to new ways of thinking about literary texts, and it is recommended that students take it early in their academic career as an English major. There are no prerequisites for English 300. English 300 may only be taken once, and it does not count toward the additional 9 courses required for the major.
The research seminar (English 397) teaches students how to define a viable research topic, identify and evaluate sources, and craft an extended argument – crucial cognitive skills that also happen to be highly sought-after by employers. Students should register for English 397 after successfully completing 4-6 300-level literature courses, normally during the junior or senior year. Students who wish to pursue honors in English literature are strongly encouraged to take 397 in fall or winter of their junior year.
In contrast to the required courses, the 9 additional literature courses offer students wide latitude in defining their own paths through the major. This is your chance to take classes on subjects you feel passionate about . . . and also to venture into the unknown! In order to ensure a reasonable degree of breadth, the 9 additional literature courses must fulfill the following requirements:
- Two 200- or 300-level courses (must be taken in the English Department; may include English 206)
- Seven 300-level courses (one 300-level course may be taken in another department or program; subject to approval by the DUS)
- At least 3 on works written before 1830
- At least 3 on works written after 1830
- At least 1 on American literature
- At least 1 exploring Transnationalism and Textual Circulation (TTC)
- At least 1 exploring Identities, Communities, and Social Practices (ICSP)
Note that a single course can satisfy more than one major requirement. For instance, a class on Toni Morrison’s novels might count as a post-1830 course while also fulfilling the department’s American literature and ICSP requirements. Similarly, a particular version of English 397 might count as a pre-1830 course while also satisfying the TTC requirement.
A worksheet to help you keep track of your progress through the English major is available here.
Please note that students who matriculated prior to Fall 2018 should use this form to track their progress through the previous iteration of the major when petitioning to graduate unless they choose to opt in to the current major.
What are the ICSP and TTC Requirements?
Identities, Communities, and Social Practice (ICSP) courses raise important questions about canonization, representation, and inclusivity by examining literature written by members of non-dominant social groups, primarily in the U.S. and Britain. Courses meeting this requirement examine topics such as African American or Afro-British literature, U.S. Latina/o literature, gender and sexuality studies, and disability studies.
Transnationalism and Textual Circulation courses offer a global perspective on English and American literary traditions. Majors can satisfy this requirement in three different ways:
- with a course that focuses on literature written in English outside the U.S. or Britain, for instance in South Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, or the Middle East;
- with a course that reads works originally written in a language other than English and explores these works in relation to their engagement with U.S. or British literatures and cultures;
- with a course that emphasizes the movement of peoples and texts across national borders.
Courses that fulfill the pre- and post-1830, ICSP, and TTC requirements are clearly identified in English Course Listings.
Declaring an English Literature Major
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 to verify that all requirements have been completed. As part of this process, fill out the major worksheet or minor worksheet and email it to the DUS. Be sure to include any future courses you plan to take to fulfill the major or minor.
Pre-registration
All majors 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.