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. Both terms of 01:350:219,220 Principles of Literary Study, which should be taken in the sophomore year.
2. Four 300- or 400-level courses from four out of the following five periods:
a. Medieval
b. Renaissance
c. Restoration/18th century
d. Nineteenth century
e. Twentieth century and contemporary
3. One course in African-American literature.
4. One course in literary theory.
5. One 400-level seminar.
A course taken to fulfill a period requirement also may be used to
fulfill the African-American literature or the seminar requirement, if
it is so designated in the departmental handbook; similarly, if so
designated, a seminar may be used to meet the literary theory or
African-American requirement. However, no course may be used to fulfill
more than two requirements.
Courses that may count as credits
toward the major are listed under the subject codes 350 (English), 351
(English: Topics), 353 (English: Literary Theory), and 354 (Film
Studies). All courses fulfilling period requirements and the
African-American requirement are listed under 350; all courses listed
under 353 fulfill the literary theory requirement.
A maximum
of four English courses taken outside the Department of English at
Rutgers-New Brunswick/Piscataway 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 first must obtain approval from
the undergraduate director. Enrolled English majors who wish to take an
English courses outside Rutgers-New Brunswick/Piscataway 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.
Options within the Major
The department offers three special options within the major. Each
option requires at least 15 credits in the area of concentration.
Please see departmental handbook (available in Murray Hall, Room 104)
for details.
Creative Writing. For majors who
wish to develop the craft and discipline of writing poetry, fiction,
drama, and other forms through a coherent sequence of creative writing
and literature courses.
Feminist Studies in English. For
majors who wish to concentrate their work within the department's
substantial offering of courses devoted to women writers, women and
film, women and literature, and feminist criticism.
Film. For majors with a particular interest in the critical and historical analysis of film and its relation to literature.
