English Major

General Requirements

Reading is essential to writing; writing is essential to the study of what we read.  English literature and creative writing rely on each other in this shared major because we believe that you need to study both to be proficient in either.  We call it an “English” major; you have the option of concentrating on literature (the ENG courses) or writing (the WRT courses). 

Overall, English majors take at least 36 credits in a combination of ENG (English Literature) and WRT (Writing) courses.  At least 16 credits must be taken at the 300 and 400 levels. 

A maximum of 12 credits for the major may be transferred in from study abroad and non-Goucher programs.

A maximum of 4 credits of coursework at the 100-level in literature or creative writing may count towards the major, not including WRT 181  or WRT 101 .

A maximum of 6 credits of coursework from among the following WRT (Writing Program) courses may be applied towards the major: WRT 203  Feature Writing; WRT 208  Journalism Workshop; WRT 219  Linguistics; WRT 221  Theories and Practice in Composing, Tutoring, and Teaching.

A maximum of 4 credits of coursework in a closely related discipline - e.g. THE 232  Playwriting or a WRT 281  course on a literature-related topic - may be applied towards the major, with approval of the program director.

Students pursuing certification to teach English at the secondary level should elect the literature concentration. See Secondary Education Certification, Grades 7-12 .

Students who entered Goucher before fall 2017 may elect with to complete the requirements set forth here or to complete those included in the Academic Catalogue in the student’s entering year.

In 2017-18 any 4 credit, 200 level ENG course except ENG 242  can count as a WEC or Writing Enriched Curriculum Course as long as the student passes the course.

Any 4 credit, 200 level ENG course except ENG 242  can count as WID or Writing In the Discipline for English majors in either concentration as long as the student achieves a B or higher.

Required for ENG and WRT Concentrations

All students in the English major and minor will complete an introduction to literary analysis and research: ENG 200  Close Reading, Critical Writing (2 Cr.)

In addition, we recommend that all students completing an English major (WRT or ENG concentration) take:

An introduction to literary theory (ENG 215 , 2 Cr.).

At least one course from each of the areas below.

• early British literature
  • ENG 211  The Early English Canon (2 Cr.)
  • ENG 232  Shakespeare (4 Cr.)
• later British literature
  • ENG 212   Humans, Nature, and Human Nature: 3 Centuries of British Poetry (2 Cr.)
  • ENG 265   The English Novel (4 Cr.)
• American literature
  • ENG 242  (4 Cr.)
  • ENG 250  (4 Cr.)
  • ENG 254  (4 Cr.)
• literature of diverse voices
  • ENG 222   Women and Literature (4 Cr.)
  • ENG 249   The Legacy of Slavery (4 Cr.)
  • ENG 256   Multiethnic American Literature (4 Cr.)
  • ENG 275   Literature of the Harlem Renaissance (4 Cr.)
  • ENG 285   Contemporary Literature from India, Africa, and Australia (4 Cr.)

We recommend that all English majors consider completing the college’s capstone requirement via ENG 497  or WRT 497 : Senior Capstone (2 Cr.).

The Concentration in Literature

In addition to ENG 200  (2 cr.), the requirement of 34 ENG and WRT credits in the major are the student’s choice, in consultation with her/his advisor. We recommend taking ENG in combination with appropriate creative writing and writing (WRT) courses. 

Students must complete at least 16 credits in 300- and 400-level courses in literature (ENG).

Students who plan to pursue graduate study in literature are strongly urged to consult with their advisors about courses that will best prepare them, including ENG 495  Senior Thesis.

The Concentration in Creative Writing

In addition to ENG 200  (2 cr.), students who wish to focus their studies on creative writing must complete

• at least one of the following courses:
  • WRT 202   Short Story Writing (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 205   Introductory Poetry Workshop (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 217   Literature & Film: Screenplay Adaptation (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 226   Creative Nonfiction I (4 Cr.)
• at least one of the following courses:
  • WRT 305  Writing Workshop: Poetry (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 306  Writing Workshop: Fiction (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 307  Creative Nonfiction II (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 420  Special Topics in English (4 Cr.)
• at least one of the following courses:
  • WRT 414  Advanced Seminar in Creative Nonfiction (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 415  Advanced Poetry Writing (4 Cr.)
  • WRT 416  Advanced Fiction Writing (4 Cr.)

The remaining WRT and ENG courses required to meet the requirement of 36 total credits in the major are the student’s choice, in consultation with her/his advisor. Students must take at least 16 credits at the 300- and 400-level.

There are internships at the 300- and 400-level.

We recommend that all English majors consider completing the college’s capstone requirement via ENG 497  or WRT 497 : Senior Capstone (2 Cr.).

For students intending to apply to graduate school in Creative Writing or to begin professional writing careers, WRT 499  Independent Study and/or ENG 495  Senior Thesis are strongly recommended.

Honors in the Major

Students can earn honors in the major by completing a Senior Thesis with a grade of A or A- or by earning a minimum GPA of 3.7 in courses in the program.