Undergraduate Study

Overview

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).

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English Courses

What Kind of Classes Do We Offer? 

Shapes of Meaning Our courses examine the many shapes that meaning can take across aesthetic forms (poetry, short stories, novels, plays, films) and genres (comedy, horror, science fiction, memoir). Examples include:

  • ENGL 2240  Comedy: Renaissance and Now
  • ENGL 2785  Comic Books and Graphic Novels

Intersections of Thinking Interdisciplinary thinking is encouraged with courses that bridge literary studies and the fields of law, medicine, political theory, environmental studies, digital studies and more. Examples include:

  • ENGL 3762  Law and Literature
  • ENGL 2350  Literature and Medicine

Writing for Ourselves and Our World We ask students to consider: what kind of change can writing inspire? Our curriculum helps students develop their reading and writing skills and emphasizes the art of persuasion, the call to action, and the power of language to influence change. Examples include: 

  • ENGL 1100  FWS: How Reading Changes Your Life
  • ENGL 3795  Communicating Climate Change 

A complete list of literatures in English courses is available in the university’s Courses of Study.

Major & Minors

The department welcomes majors and minors at any time in their academic career. There are no prerequisites to declare, and English is a flexible option for double majors.

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