Freshman Writing
Senior Conference
Fellowships & Prizes
After Graduation
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English 299; English 399b or "Senior Conference"; plus a minuimum of seven additional courses in British, American and Anglophone literature. The program must include at least two courses in literature written before 1800, at least two courses in British/English literature and at least two in American, and two courses in English at the 300 level. The department will give major credit for a semester course in a foreign literature in the original language or for Comparative Literature 200.
Admission to the major requires completion of two courses at the 200 level by the end of the sophomore year; one of these must be an "introductory emphasis'' course (a list of such courses will be issued each semester). English 150L may be presented in place of one 200 level course.
For Semester I, Fall ‘07, designated “introductory emphasis courses” are 213a and 253a.
For Semester II, Spr. ‘08, designated “introductory emphasis courses” are 220b and 261bFinal evaluation of the major program will center on written work and oral examinations conducted in the context of the work for English 399b. No more than four major credits will be awarded for work done beyond the tri-college community, whether abroad or in the U.S. The department does not offer a minor in English.
The Creative Writing Concentration entails the taking of two courses in creative writing (only one of which is counted toward the major) and the writing of a senior thesis composed of an original creative text (usually poetry, fiction or drama) and a rigorous critical introduction. A student interested in completing the Concentration must submit a portfolio of creative work to the department Chair by March 7, the day before spring break. Each portfolio will be read closely by the departmental Concentration Committee, and its author will be granted admission to the Concentration if the committee feels that the work suggests his/her readiness to generate a substantial literary project.
Requirements For Honors
Honors in English are awarded on the basis of performance in course work within the tri-college departments, the Senior Essay, and the oral examination conducted at the end of the senior year. High Honors are reserved for distinguished achievement in all three of these areas.
The department awards three prizes annually:
The Terry M. Krieger '69 Memorial Prize Established by members of his family for the graduating senior demonstrating the greatest achievement in writing during the junior and senior years, to be chosen by the English department.
Newton Prize in English Literature A prize established by A. Edward Newton may be awarded annually on the basis of Departmental Honors in English, provided that the work of the leading candidate, in the judgment of the English department, merits this award.
William Ellis Scull Prize A prize established in 1929 by William Ellis Scull, Class of 1883, is awarded annually to the junior or senior who has shown the greatest achievement in voice and in the articulation of the English language.
Ian WalkerPrize A prize established in 2002, by friends, family and classmates as a memorial to honor Ian Walker, class of 1950. This prize is awarded to either a Junior or Senior English Major.