English Major

General Requirements

The English major requires 36 credits of coursework in the department.

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

A maximum of 3 credits of coursework at the 100-level in literature or creative writing may count towards the major. Note: ENG 103, ENG 104, ENG 105, and ENG 106 are Writing Program courses and, as such, do not count towards the English major.

A maximum of 4 credits of coursework in a closely related discipline may be applied towards the major, with approval of the department chairperson.

Students pursuing certification to teach English at the secondary level should elect the literature concentration. See the secondary education requirements listed under the Education Department.

English majors are eligible to complete the Concentration in Prelaw Studies. See the requirements listed under Prelaw Studies.

Students who entered Goucher before fall 2015 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.

200-Level Core

All students in the English major will complete a minimum of 15 credits of literature courses at the 200 level. Those courses must include:

• an introduction to literary analysis and research, which prepares students to earn Writing Proficiency in the Major: ENG 200  Close Reading, Critical Writing (3 Cr.)
• a course in early literature: ENG 211  The Early English Canon (3 Cr.)

We recommend that students also take at least one course in each of the following areas:

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

Concentration in Literature

In addition to the core, students who wish to focus their studies on literature must complete at least 9 credits of 300-level courses in literature.

The remaining 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 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 450  Senior Thesis.

Concentration in Creative Writing

In addition to the core, students who wish to focus their studies on creative writing must complete

• at least one of the following courses:
  • ENG 202   Short Story Writing (3 Cr.)
  • ENG 205   Introductory Poetry Workshop (3 Cr.)
  • ENG 226   Creative Nonfiction I (3 Cr.)
• at least 9 credits at the 300 level including:
  • one of the following courses:
• ENG 300  Special Topics in English (3 Cr.)
• ENG 305  Writing Workshop: Poetry (3 Cr.)
• ENG 306  Writing Workshop: Fiction (3 Cr.)
• ENG 307  Creative Nonfiction II (3 Cr.)

• ENG 315  Advanced Seminar in Creative Writing (3 Cr.)
• the final 300-level course may be in either literature or creative writing

The remaining courses required to meet the requirement of 36 total credits in the major are the student’s choice, in consultation with her/his advisor.

For students intending to apply to graduate school in Creative Writing or to begin professional writing careers, ENG 400  Independent Study and/or ENG 450  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 department.