Program
English and Theater Majors
Within the English department, students have a choice of two majors, English and theater. Within the English major, students choose to concentrate in literature, film, or writing.
The literature concentration within the English major is the traditional English major. It reflects a strong commitment to the major periods, authors, and forms. Students explore various critical methods, theories, and cultural traditions.
The film concentration within the English major introduces students to international film history, criticism, theory, screenwriting, and production.
The writing concentration within the English major allows students to concentrate on a variety of styles and forms, including creative writing, nonfiction, journalism, media, and rhetoric.
The theater major focuses on drama within the context of the liberal arts, including dramatic texts, criticism, acting, directing, stagecraft, and writing.
Literature Concentration Requirements (English major)
The major consists of at least nine English courses beyond English 110, including English 205; one course in literary history (206, 207, 210, 211, 212, or 213); and seven additional courses, five of them numbered 300 or above. No more than one semester of independent study or thesis may be counted among the seven, and internship may not be counted.
In consultation with a department adviser, a student should select courses that emphasize various genres, literary and cultural traditions, and theoretical approaches. The selections should demonstrate a balance between British and American literature and between literature before and after 1800.
Film Concentration Requirements (English major)
In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses a program of study composed of at least nine courses including English 205; a course in literary history (English 206, 207, 210, 211, 212, or 213); English 140, 240, 251, 340; and three department-approved electives, including at least one course from outside the English department. No more than one semester of independent study or thesis may be included.
Writing Concentration Requirements (English Major)
In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses at least nine literature and writing- or language-focused courses beyond English 110, including English 205; one course in literary history (206, 207, 210, 211, 212, or 213); any two of English 231, 250*, 251, 255, 272/273 (internship); any three of English 320, 350*, 351, 360, 365, 395; and any two other 300- or 400-level English courses. No more than one semester of independent study or thesis may be included.
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may be repeated for credit when they address different topics. The adviser will authorize counting special topics courses toward the concentration when they are offered with a writing focus.
Theater Major Requirements
In consultation with a theater faculty adviser, a student chooses a program of study composed of Theater 107, four semesters of Theater 120 or 121 (0.25 credits) with at least one semester of each, Theater 207, two general theater electives, one 300-level dramatic literature elective, two 300-level performance electives, and Theater 400. The adviser will encourage students to work with mentors through independent study and internships. However, no more than one semester of internship may be counted toward the major.
English Minor
In consultation with a department adviser, a student selects a minimum of five English courses beyond English 110, including 205 and at least three courses numbered 300 or above. One semester of internship may count toward the five.
Film Minor
In consultation with a department adviser, a student selects a minimum of five film courses, including English 140, 240 and 340, and two others chosen from the following, one of which must be taken from a department other than English: English 116, 251; Art 150, 239; Anthropology and Sociology 255; Comparative Literature 142; French 424; German 424, 431; History 255; Music 274; Philosophy 235; Theater 312; Women’s and Gender Studies 256. The film minor is not open to English majors.
Theater Minor
In consultation with the director of theater, a student selects a minimum of eight courses, including Theater 107, four semesters of Theater 120 or 121 (0.25 credits) with at least one semester of each, and three theater electives approved by the director of theater. No more than one semester of internship may be included.
Writing Minor
In consultation with a department adviser, a student chooses a minimum of five English courses beyond English 110, including English 205 or 206; any two of English 231, 250*, 251, 255, 272/273 (internship); and any two of English 320, 350*, 351, 360, 365, 395.
Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may be repeated for credit when they address different topics. The adviser will authorize counting special topics courses toward the minor when they are offered with a writing focus. The writing minor is not open to English majors.
