The requirements for majoring in English have been changed to offer students more flexibility, while increasing the curriculum’s diversity and expanding the literary periods represented.
The new curriculum, which has yet to be finalized, was approved by the department’s faculty on March 28.
Beginning in the fall, students majoring in English must complete three of the following four introductory seminars: two semesters of English poetry, one of American literature, or one in global Anglophone literature. Previously, English majors were also required to take three advanced courses in pre-1800 literature and one in pre-1900 works. Under the new curriculum guidelines, students will be asked to take one course from each of four broadly conceived historical periods ranging from the medieval to the 21st century.
“We wish to build on our longstanding strengths in the historical development of literature in English and in close reading, especially — though not only — of poetry, while extending students’ experience to writers and areas not previously covered in our introductory courses,” said Ruth Bernard Yeazell, acting chair of the English Department and the Chace Family Professor of English.
All told, students will be required to complete 12 courses, plus a senior requirement, which may be filled by two senior seminars, a seminar and an independent senior essay, or a year-long senior essay.
The department will also increase the number of courses featuring works by women and people of color, as well as by authors who wrote in English but lived in non-English-speaking countries.
The curriculum changes, which have been under consideration for several years, better reflect the increasing diversity of Anglophone literature, the work and spirit of the department, and student interests, said Yeazell.
