Guide to the Literature Minor
Requirements for the Minor Prior to Fall 2022
The English Literature Minor comprises two introductory survey courses in English and/or American literature, English 300, and 4 additional literature courses. The surveys familiarize students with literary traditions and teach the writing and analytical skills expected in advanced literature courses. Minors must take Part 1 of either sequence (210-1 or 270-1) and any one of the three remaining survey courses. The two courses may be taken in any order.
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. English 300 may be taken concurrently with either part of the English Literary Traditions or American Literary Traditions sequences. 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 2017 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 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
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.