The Literature Major

Department of Language and Literature
The literature major

English Language and Literature majors must complete at least 39 hours within the program, with a grade of “C” or better. Of these 39 hours, at least 15 must be at the 300-level. Majors are required to take the following courses:

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) ›› LITR 100: Introduction to Literary Analysis (3)

›› three courses designated pre-1800 by the Department (9). These courses include LITR 255, LITR 257, LITR 263, LITR 265, and LITR 357.

›› three courses designated post-1800 by the Department (9). These courses include LITR 256, LITR 258, LITR 357, LITR 360, and LITR 362.

›› one “diversity” LITR course, as designated by the Department (3)

›› LITR 399: Senior Seminar (3)

English Language and Literature majors are also required to demonstrate competency in a second language by completion of at least one language course at the 202 level.

Prerequisites

LITR 100 is the prerequisite for most 300-level courses; as such, it should be taken as early in the major as possible.

Advanced courses in English Language and Literature

Where appropriate, prerequisites for 300-level LITR courses may be waived, with permission of instructor and departmental approval. Students seeking waiver of a prerequisite should consult their advisor for details. Waiver of a prerequisite (e.g., LITR 100) for any one 300-level course does not constitute a waiver of pre-requisites for any other course, or of any course requirement for the major or minor.

Majors- and minors-only course sections

Selected 200-level LITR courses will periodically be offered in a special format designed for English Language and Literature majors and minors (MMO format). Registration for these sections is restricted to include only majors and minors in English Language and Literature and, in some cases (to be indicated in the Semester William Faulkner (1897-1962) Course Schedule), in appropriate cognate programs as approved by the department for that course (e.g., Gender Studies, Education, Communications, Film Studies).

It is strongly recommended that English Language and Literature majors and minors enroll for MMO sections whenever these are available. In semesters where a particular course is offered in both MMO and regular formats, English Language and Literature majors and minors (and other eligible students, as above) will not be eligible to enroll in the non-MMO section.

Major checklists

Students can downloaded a major checklist to help them plan their studies and progress towards completing the major here (opens in new browser window).