The College Catalogue

• Aviva Briefel, Department Chair
• Laurie Holland, Department Coordinator

• Professors: David Collings, Peter Coviello, Celeste Goodridge, Marilyn Reizbaum, William C. Watterson
• Associate Professors: Aviva Briefel (Film Studies), Tess Chakkalakal (Africana Studies), Brock Clarke, Ann Louise Kibbie†, Aaron Kitch†, Belinda Kong (Asian Studies), Elizabeth Muther
• Assistant Professors: Guy Mark Foster, Hilary Thompson
• Writer in Residence: Anthony E. Walton
• Fellow: Megan L. Cook
• Visiting Faculty: Terri Nickel

Requirements for the Major in English and American Literature

The major requires a minimum of ten courses. Each student must take one first-year seminar (English 10–29) or introductory course (English 104–110), either of which will serve as a prerequisite to further study in the major. At least three of the ten courses must be chosen from offerings in British and Irish literature before 1800. These are courses in Old English and Medieval literature, Renaissance literature, and the literature of the Restoration and the Eighteenth Century. The individual courses that satisfy this requirement are identified by a note in the course description. Only one of these three courses may be a Shakespeare drama course, and only one may be a Chaucer course. Only one transfer course may count toward this requirement. At least one of the ten courses must be chosen from offerings in literature of the Americas. The individual courses that satisfy this requirement are identified by a note in the course description. Also, each student must take at least one advanced seminar in the department (any 300-level English course). Students may, when appropriate, also count the advanced seminar toward one of the requirements listed above. Transfer credits will not count for the advanced seminar requirement. The remaining courses may be selected from the foregoing and/or first-year seminars; Introductory or Advanced Creative Writing; 200- and/or 300-level Literary Analysis; Independent Study; and 401–402 (Advanced Independent Study/Honors). No more than two courses may come from the department’s roster of first-year seminars and 100-level courses; no more than two creative writing courses will count toward the major. As one of two courses outside the department, one upper-level course in film studies may be counted toward the major; courses in expository writing, journalism, and communication are not eligible for major credit. Credit toward the major for advanced literature courses in another language, provided that the works are read in that language, must be arranged with the chair.

Majors who are candidates for honors must write an honors essay and take an oral examination in the spring of their senior year.

Interdisciplinary Major

The department participates in an interdisciplinary major in English and Theater. See the section on Interdisciplinary Majors.

Requirements for the Major in English with Concentration in Creative Writing

The requirements for the Concentration in Creative Writing are identical to those of the English major, with these additions: a level I and a level II creative writing course in a single genre (poetry or fiction), and an additional elective course in creative writing.

Requirements for the Minor in English and American Literature

The minor requires five courses in the department, including one first-year seminar (English 10–29) or introductory course (English 104–110). At least three of the remaining four courses must be numbered 200 or higher. No more than one creative writing course may count toward the minor, and no courses in expository writing, film, communication, or journalism will count. Students may not apply transfer credits to the minor.