The major consists of a minimum of 36 credits in English above the 100 level, including at least 18 credits at or above the 300 level. All majors must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Principles of Literary Study, 01:359:201, which should be taken early in the major.
2. Four courses in different historical periods, taken at the 300 or 400 level: one each in four of the following five categories:
a. Medieval
b. Renaissance
c. Restoration/18th century
d. Nineteenth century
e. Twentieth century and contemporary
3. One course in African-American Literature, taken at the 300 or 400 level.
4. One course in Literature's of the Global South
5. One course in literary theory
6. One 400-level seminar
A course taken to fulfill a period requirement may also be used to fulfill the African-American, Ethnic American, or Global Anglophone literature or the seminar requirement, if it is so designated on the departmental webpage. Likewise, a seminar may be used to meet the literary theory or African-American, Ethnic American, or Global Anglophone literature requirement, if it is so designated. However, no course may be used to fulfill more than two requirements.
Courses that may count as credits toward the major and minor are listed under the subject codes 351 (English: Creative Writing), 354 (English: Film Studies), 355 (Writing Program only at the 300 level), 358 (English: Literature), and 359 (English: Theories and Methods).
A maximum of four English courses taken outside the Department of English at Rutgers University-New Brunswick may be applied toward the major. Students who participate in Study Abroad may apply a total of six courses from outside toward the major. Transfer students who wish to apply transfer courses toward the major must first obtain approval from the undergraduate director. Enrolled English majors who wish to take English courses outside Rutgers-New Brunswick must have prior approval from the undergraduate director. Students are urged to consult the English department for further information.
Grades of C or better must be earned in all courses used to fulfill the requirements of the major.
