Major

English Major

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Department/Program
English

Total credit requirements for an English major: 36

  • Required Courses
    • English 290 and 491
  • Electives
    • One elective at the 100- or 200-level chosen from English 176-179, 200, 201, 230-233, 245, 246, 250-252, or 270
    • At least three other 200- or 300-level English courses meeting specific requirements:
      • One course in early period British literature, chosen from 335, 336, 337, 338, 350, or 357
      • One course in American literature, chosen from 347, 348, or 349
      • One course in underrepresented literatures, chosen from 201, 245, 246, 270, 346, 376, or another course identified as counting toward this category
    • Three English electives at the 300- or 400-level
      • One of the electives may, with the written approval of the English Department, be a literature course at the 300-level or above offered by another department on campus.
  • Notes
    • No course may satisfy more than one requirement.
    • No more than two creative writing courses may be counted toward the major.
    • No more than 12 credits earned in off-campus programs, transfer credits, credits from courses offered by other Whitman departments, or cross-listed courses may be used to satisfy major requirements.
    • Courses used to satisfy requirements for other majors or minors cannot also be used to satisfy requirements for the English major or minor.
    • Two years of foreign language are strongly recommended, especially for those considering graduate school.
    • No courses may be taken P-D-F.
  • Senior Requirements
    • English 491
    • One-hour oral exam
    • Revised seminar paper, graded by two faculty
  • Honors
    • Students do not apply for admission to candidacy for honors.
    • Students must submit a proposal for their thesis or project.
      • Must be submitted within the first six weeks of the two-semester period in which the student is eligible.
    • Accumulated at least 87 credits
    • Completed two semesters of residency at Whitman
    • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.300 for all credits earned at Whitman College
    • Major GPA of at least 3.500
    • Complete a written thesis or research project prepared exclusively for the satisfaction of this program
    • Earn a grade of at least A- on the honors thesis or project and the honors thesis course
    • Pass the senior assessment with distinction
    • Chair of the department will notify the Registrar of students attaining honors in major no later than the beginning of Week 12 of the semester.
    • An acceptable digital copy of the honors thesis must be submitted to Penrose Library no later than Reading Day.
Total Credits
36