Department of English
Academic Requirements
The major in English is the study of the arts of literature. Although the emphasis is on the critical analysis of great works, a general knowledge of the historical development of English and American literature will be expected of the English major by the end of the senior year.
Students who major or minor in English at Washington College…
- Earn college credit for pursing their passion for reading
- Benefit from small class sizes and lively discussions
- Become part of a vibrant community of scholars and writers
- Complete flexible course requirements that prepare them for a wide-variety of career options, including writing, editing, teaching, law, and advertising, just to name a few.
Major
The major in English is the study of the arts of literature. Although the emphasis is on the critical analysis of great works, students are expected to attain a general knowledge of the historical development of English and American literature by the end of the senior year.
For Students Matriculating 2008-09
A student wishing to major in English must complete a total of twelve courses on the 200-, 300-, and 400-levels in the English Department in the following areas:
200-level:
- Three courses selected from English courses on the 200-level, excluding ENG 204, 205, 206
300/400-level
- Three courses in pre-1800 literature (ENG 205/206 “Shakespeare” will also be counted here)
- Three courses in post-1800 literature
- Three electives
For Students Matriculating 2007-08 and before
A student wishing to major in English must complete ten courses in the English Department within the following requirements:
- A two-course, year-long sequence of ENG 101, ENG 102 Forms of Literature, a sequence of ENG 207 and ENG 208, a sequence of ENG 294 and ENG 295, or any sequence or combination of courses from ENG 209 to 214
- Upper level courses at the 300 and 400 levels, and including ENG 205 and ENG 206 Shakespeare, from the following:
- Two courses in English before 1800
- One course in English literature between 1800 and 1900
- One course in English literature between 1900 and present
- Two courses in American literature
- Two electives
All Students: Senior Capstone Experience (SCE)
English majors must also register for and complete the Senior Capstone Experience (either in the form of a written thesis or taking a series of comprehensive exams) in the final semester of the senior year.
Majors wishing to complete the SCE by a written thesis must have a thesis proposal approved in the second semester of their junior year. Please see the department's page on the Senior Capstone Experience for more information.
Minor
English
Five courses at the 300-400 level are required for a minor in English. ENG 205 and ENG 206 Shakespeare may also count as upper-level courses for the English minor. There is no senior project or exit requirement for English minors.
Creative Writing
The minor in creative writing can be achieved through the successful completion of five courses—one of the two designated 100- or 200-level courses (Freshman Creative Writing or Intermediate Creative Writing) and then any combination of four of the 300-400 level courses indicated below as well as designated "special topics" courses.
- ENG 103. Freshman Creative Writing
- ENG 204. Intermediate Creative Writing
- ENG 326. Contemporary American Literature: (Living Writers)
- ENG/DRA 351. Playwriting I
- ENG 411. Advanced Creative Writing Workshop: Fiction
- ENG 412. Advanced Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry
- ENG 413. Creative Nonfiction (Writing Workshop)
- ENG/DRA 451. Playwriting II
Distribution
Students who wish to fulfill the Humanities Distribution Requirement with one Humanities course may do so by taking any course listed below. Students who chose to take two courses in English fulfill the Humanities Distribution Requirement are not required to take a sequence; they may take any two of the following:
- ENG 205 Shakespeare I
- ENG 206 Shakespeare II
- ENG 207 History of English Literature I
- ENG 208 History of English Literature II
- ENG 209 Introduction to American Literature I
- ENG 210 Introduction to American Literature II
- ENG 211 Introduction to American Culture I
- ENG 212 Introduction to American Culture II
- ENG 213 Introduction to African American Literature I
- ENG 214 Introduction to African American Literature II
- ENG 215 Foundations of Western Literature I
- ENG 216 Foundations of Western Literature II
Senior Capstone Experience
Learn more about the Senior Capstone Experience for English Majors.