Majoring in English

MAJORING IN ENGLISH
HIRAM COLLEGE

The English major encourages students to develop a deeper and richer understanding of our cultural heritage through the study of literature. The department places special emphasis on the tradition of English and American literature, but also often examines colonial and post-colonial works in English (from Canada, Australia, India, Africa, and the Caribbean), as well as European and world literatures in translation. The course of study in the English Department offers interested students a structured opportunity to evaluate these texts from a variety of critical perspectives, and also, for those so inclined, an array of writing courses in which to develop their creative and expository talents.

Requirements for the Classes of 2011 and later
Requirements for the Classes of 2007 and earlier
Students in the Classes of 2008 and 2009 may elect either version of the major but are strongly encouraged to complete the requirements for the Class of 2011 and later.

The English Major
Classes of 2011 and later

This version of the English major will become effective in the 2007-2008 academic year. Students from the Classes of 2009 and 2010 are recommended to complete this new version of the major but may elect to complete the older version. Students from the Classes of 2011 and later will be required to complete the major as listed here.

(11 courses for Class of 2011 and later; 10 courses for Classes of 2009 and 2010)

Courses for the non-major
Non-majors will gain knowledge of a set of primary literary texts and practice basic skills of literary analysis through class discussions and the composition of short essays. Courses will focus on a particular author, genre, or literary tradition.

ENGL 219 Introduction to American Literature
ENGL 222 Introduction to British Literature
ENGL 226 Introduction to World Literature
ENGL 280 Special Topics Seminar

Introductory course for majors (1)
Students will acquire a fundamental knowledge of genre, literary conventions, literary theory, and historical and literary traditions that will form the foundation for the study of 300- and 400-level courses. They will also develop skills in writing and literary analysis.

ENGL 206 Introduction to Literary Studies (4 hours)

Foundation courses (3)
Students will recognize the major traditions, works, and authors of American, British, and world literature. They will continue to develop their ability to conceive and implement original interpretations of the literature they read.

ENGL 350 American Literature to 1900 (4 hours)*
ENGL 351 American Literature since 1900 (4 hours)*
ENGL 353 Medieval Literature (4 hours)*
ENGL 354 Renaissance Literature (4 hours) (formerly ENGL 321)
ENGL 355 Restoration and 18th-Century British Literature (4 hours)*
ENGL 356 19th-Century British Literature (4 hours)*
ENGL 357 20th-Century British Literature (4 hours)*
ENGL 359 The Study of World Literature (4 hours) (formerly ENGL 326, which may be substituted for this course)

* These courses are pending approval by the faculty.

Advanced seminar courses (2)
Students will gain in-depth knowledge of a specific literary topic, including engagement with secondary materials. They will plan and complete original research and write a substantial research paper.

ENGL 418 Advanced Studies in American Literature (4 hours)
ENGL 428 Advanced Studies in British Literature (4 hours)
ENGL 438 Advanced Studies in World Literature (4 hours)
ENGL 470 Literary Theory (4 hours)

Electives (4)
Electives in the English Department allow students to extend their knowledge of particular areas of literature or to explore new literary fields not covered in their other major coursework. The 300-level English electives incorporate both primary and secondary texts, draw on the literary theories introduced in ENGL 206, and require a short research paper that builds toward the requirements of the 400-level courses.

Students may choose electives from the courses for majors above or from the following electives. ENGL 252 may count as an elective for the major; no more than one other 200-level English course may count as a departmental elective. Up to two of the elective requirements also may be satisfied with 300-level creative writing courses.

ENGL 252 The English Language: A Linguistic Introduction (3 hours)
ENGL 328 Backgrounds in Literature (3 hours)*
ENGL 329 Studies in American Literature (3 hours)*
ENGL 330 Studies in British Literature (3 hours)
ENGL 331 Studies in World Literature (3 hours)*
ENGL 332 Studies in Genre (3 hours)*
ENGL 333 Studies in Linguistics (3 hours)*
ENGL 380 Seminar

* These courses are pending approval by the faculty.

Senior capstone (1)
Classes of 2009 and 2010:
Students are required to complete a capstone experience, as structured by the English Department. A capstone course will not be required.

Classes of 2011 and later:
In their senior year, students must complete ENGL 4XX: Senior Seminar (3 hours). This 3-week revision and workshop course requires students to significantly rework an essay from one of their 400-level English courses. Students must also write a short essay reflecting on their experience as a major and connecting what they have learned to career or life goals. At the end of the course students will present their work in a public forum

Distribution
In satisfying the requirements above, students must take a minimum of 2 courses in British literature, 2 courses in American literature, and 1 course in world literature. They must also take at least one course in literature before 1800. This will ensure that students develop a breadth of literary knowledge while still allowing them significant freedom in choosing courses.

Foreign language requirement
Students must complete a foreign language through the 103 level.

Majoring and Minoring in Writing
Students completing this version of the English major may not combine it with a major in Creative Writing or minor in Writing; students interested in taking extensive coursework in writing should consider the major in Creative Writing.

AP Credit
Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the English Literature Advanced Placement (AP) text receive credit for one of the required elective literature courses in the major. However, the English Department encourages students who are considering graduate work to take additional courses in the major.

The English Major
Classes of 2007 and earlier

(10 Courses)

Required Introductory Course
Prerequisite course (1) for all other courses in the major.

206 Introduction to Literary Studies

The Foundations of Literature
Students are required to take these four (4) courses before electing the more advanced 400 level courses.

319 The Study of American Literature
322 British Literature I
323 British Literature II
326 The Study of World Literature

Advanced Study and Research in Literature
The following courses require in-depth exploration of a topic and a substantial research project. A minimum of three (3) 400-level courses is required during the Jr.-Sr. years for graduation.

418 Special Topics in American Literature
428 Special Topics in British Literature
438 Special Topics in World Literature
448 Major American Authors
458 Major British Writers
468 Major World Writers
470 Literary Theory

Elective Literature Courses
In addition, students elect to take two (2) courses from the offerings of the department, which may be additional 400-level courses or other non-required 200- or 300-level courses. English 470, Literary Theory, is strongly recommended for students planning to do graduate work in English or related fields.

Correlative Courses
A foreign language, at least at the 103 level, is required. (Placement in foreign language courses at the 104 level or higher may be substituted.)

Advising
All students majoring in English must have an academic advisor, as either their primary or secondary advisor, in the English Department.