Q1. Are
there any courses that English Majors
must take?
A1. Yes. Every English major must take
English 219 (01:350:219) and English 220
(01:350:220)
Q2. When
should I take English 219 and English
220?
A2. Both courses have the same name:
Principles of Literary Study. As the name
tells you, the two courses together are
meant to introduce you to the elements
of literary interpretation, and to teach
you how to write the critical essays you
will be asked to write in upper-level
English courses. English 219 concentrates
on poetry. English 220 concentrates on
prose narrative. You may not take these
courses simultaneously; you need to have
a full year of sustained practice in critical
interpretation.
Q3. Is
there any easy way to tell what courses
count for which requirement?
A3. Yes. Courses which fulfill the period requirements and the African-American requirement bear the prefix 350. Courses which fulfill the theory requirement bear prefix 353. 354:385 and 354:420 also fulfill the theory requirement. The African-American and theory requirements can be fulfilled by 200-level as well as 300-level and 400-level courses. 200-level courses do not fulfill the period requirements.
Q4. Can
I use one course to satisfy more than
one requirement?
A4. Yes. You may use the appropriate single course to satisfy up to two requirements.
Q5. Do
I need to take a seminar?
A5. Yes: all majors must take a Senior Seminar at the 400 level.
To take a Senior Seminar, you must have completed both English 219 and English 220 with a grade of C or better. There are no exceptions to this rule. You may take more than one Senior Seminar, but you must complete one with a grade of C of better to graduate as an English major.
Q6. How
do transfer students know which credits
count toward the major?
A6. Bring your transcript, which shows what transfer credits your college has accepted, to the Undergraduate Office (Murray 104). The Undergraduate Director will determine which courses count. (You can help in this decision if you also bring any pertinent course descriptions, syllabi, papers from the courses in question.)
