Requirements for a major or minor in English have been revised, beginning with students who declare a major or minor after May 2004. Students who have declared a major or minor in English before the end of May 2004 may choose whether to follow the old requirements or to follow the new requirements.

 

A. The general English major is a minimum of 9 courses distributed as follows:

 

1. English 248  Introduction to Literature. Students are encouraged to take this foundational course as early in their studies as possible, and certainly before they enroll in 300-level courses.

2. English 231  Western World Literature I.  IDS 171 may be substituted for English 231.

3-5. Three four-credit courses, numbered 295 and higher, in literature before 1850. English 301  British Literature I, English 305  American Literature I, and other designated 300 level courses fulfill this requirement.

6-9. Four four-credit electives in literature or literary theory, numbered 295 or higher (a 200- or 300-level creative writing workshop may substituted for one of these literature courses).

Note: At least two of courses 3-9 must be in British literature and at least two in American literature.

 

Students considering graduate study in literature should include Shakespeare and History of the English Language among their elective courses. They should take additional upper-level courses so that their majors will total at least 44 credits and should participate in the departmental Honors Program. They should elect English 480  Contemporary Literary Theory and English 495  Advanced Studies among their courses for the major, and courses in history and in ancient and modern philosophy as cognate courses.

 

Students considering careers in writing and editing should take English 213   Expository Writing II and English 360  Modern English Grammar, and should consider doing at least one internship, either with a local employer or non-profit agency, or as part of an off-campus program. Consult with Professor Schakel, the department coordinator for internships, early in your college career, to begin plans for including for including an internship in your academic program.

 

For other kinds of professional preparation (e.g., business and industry, prelaw, preseminary, foreign service, librarianship) the specific recommendations in English are less prescriptive and students should, with their advisors’ help, tailor a program to their own needs. Internship programs are also available for English majors having specific career interests such as journalism, librarianship, and business. The student may work part-time or full-time for a semester or during the summer on such programs, either in Holland or elsewhere. For information, consult the department coordinator for internships, Professor Schakel.

 

Intermediate proficiency in a foreign language is valuable for all English majors and is essential for those proceeding to graduate study in the field. Classical Mythology (Classics 250) and courses in philosophy and in American and English history are strongly recommended for all English major and minors as cognate courses. Individual students will find that off-campus study and/or internships will play important roles in their programs.

 

B. The English major for secondary teaching is outlined here.

 

 

C. The English major for elementary teaching is outlined here.

 

 

D. The English major with a creative writing emphasis is a minimum of 10 courses distributed as follows:

1. English 248  Introduction to Literature. Students are encouraged to take this foundational course as early in their studies as possible, and certainly before they enroll in 300-level courses.

2. English 231  Western World Literature I.  IDS 171 may be substituted for English 231.

3-5. Three four-credit literature courses, numbered 295 and higher, one of which is to be in literature before 1850; at least one must be in British literature and at least one in American literature.

6-9. Four creative writing courses: 6) one at the 200 or 300 level, 7) another at the 200 or 300 level in a different genre; 8) one at the 300 or a 400-level writing workshop; 9) a 400-level writing workshop

10. English 480  Contemporary Literary Theory; another 400-level creative writing workshop; English 493  Individual Writing Project; English 495  Advanced Studies

 

Students considering graduate study in creative writing should include English 480  Contemporary Literary Theory among their elective courses. They should take additional upper-level literature and writing courses so that their majors will total at least 44 credits and should participate in the departmental Honors Program.