English (BA)

College of Arts and Sciences

Program Website

Program Description

The Department of Literatures in English fosters critical analysis and lucid writing. We teach students to think about the nature of language and to be alert to the rigors and pleasures of reading texts of diverse inspiration. Students taking courses in the department engage with British, American, and Anglophone literature of an astounding historical span and global variety, and are trained to respond to what they read in a rich and complex variety of ways—from expository essays and scholarly inquiries to class discussions and creative writing. Whether considering English as a major, a minor, or simply a field to explore, students are encouraged to consult with the department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS).

The English major provides a foundation in reading, writing, research, and critical analysis preparing students for a range of intellectual and professional pursuits. Majors develop familiarity with innovative and traditional fields in literary studies, alongside a variety of theoretical approaches, emerging as deeper thinkers and stronger writers as a result.

Visit the English Majors Guide for the declaration form and more information.

Planning a Program of Study

Few students know from the moment they decide to major in English exactly what they wish to study. Moreover, it is natural for interests to change over time. The requirements of the English major are designed to provide a flexible framework for learning. 

Within that framework, the concentration and the Honors Program provide two further ways to shape the pursuit of the major. English is a flexible option for double majors, often completed alongside Biology, Computer Science, Government, and more. 

English majors are expected to develop their own program of study in consultation with their major advisor, and to meet each semester to discuss enrollment and progress. The effort of creating or discovering a coherent pattern in the courses selected is itself a valuable part of a literary education, and the department expects students to choose courses with an eye to depth and variety as well as focus and coherence. Some focus on a particular historical period or literary genre, while others develop thematic interests or combine sustained work in creative writing with the study of literature.

First-Year Writing Seminars 

First-year students interested in majoring in English are encouraged to enroll in a section of ENGL 1270 FWS: Writing About Literature, or a section of another ENGL FWS course instructed by an English faculty member, to begin to build connections in the department.

As part of the university-wide First-Year Writing Seminars program administered by the John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines, the department offers a wide range of courses in literature, film, and media; nature, the environment, and climate change; culture, politics, and identity; and in community engagement—connecting students with local community partners. Students may apply any of these courses to their first-year writing seminar requirement. Detailed course descriptions may be found in the first-year writing seminar program listings, available through the Knight Institute.

Survey Courses

The department recommends that prospective English majors begin with at least one survey course.  ENGL 2010 Literatures in English I: From Old English to the New World provides a survey of pre-1800 British and American writers.  ENGL 2020 Literature in English II: 1750 to the Present broadens to include literatures from the late 18th-century until the present. Several other 2000-level courses are offered each semester which provide introductions to important aspects of literature, culture, and theory also covered in more advanced courses. These introductory courses concentrate on the skills basic to the English major and to other academic work—close reading and analytical writing.

Writing Workshop Courses

Students interested in developing their skills as writers can participate in workshop courses in expository, nonfiction, and creative writing. Due to the writing-intensive nature of these courses, the department discourages enrollment in more than one workshop course per semester. ENGL 2800 Creative Writing, and ENGL 2880 Expository Writing are also suitable preparations for the major.

The Honors Program

Second-semester sophomores who have done superior work in English are encouraged to seek admission to the departmental program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors in English (effective beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year). Completing the English major with honors allows students to independently study a topic they choose and to write a researched, critical paper of at least 50 pages. A minimum English GPA of 3.7 is required to be eligible for the Honors Program.

The Honors Program is a three-course commitment in which students must complete:

  • Honors Seminar: any 4-credit 4000-level ENGL seminar course
    • The purpose of the honors seminar is to acquaint students with methods of study and research to help them write their thesis.
  • ENGL 4930 Honors Essay Tutorial I (Fall)
  • ENGL 4940 Honors Essay Tutorial II (Spring)

Students work one-on-one with their thesis advisor, meeting regularly on a mutually agreed upon schedule. Students will also attend larger meetings of all honors candidates held by the Director of Honors.

Visit the English Honors Program Guide for the application form and more information.