Department of English
Faculty
Distinguished Professor
Ronald Bosco, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Maryland
Distinguished Teaching Professors
Jeffrey Berman, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Stephen North, D.A.
University at Albany
Distinguished Teaching Professors Emeriti
Judith Fetterley, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
Indiana University
Eugene K. Garber, Ph.D.
University of Iowa
Professors Emeriti
Judith E. Barlow, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Pennsylvania
Donald J. Byrd, Ph.D.
University of Kansas
Frances Colby Allee, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Stanley K. Coffman Jr., Ph.D.
Ohio State University
Robert A. Donovan, Ph.D.
Washington University
William A. Dumbleton, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Judith E. Johnson, B.A.
Barnard College
Pierre Joris, Ph.D.
Binghamton University
Eugene Mirabelli, Ph.D.
Harvard University
Daniel W. Odell, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Marjorie Pryse, Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Cruz
Townsend Rich, Ph.D.
Yale University
Harry C. Staley, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Professors
Thomas Bass, Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Cruz
Thomas D. Cohen, Ph.D.
Yale University
Randall T. Craig, Ph.D. (Department Chair)
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Lydia Davis, B.A. (Writer in Residence)
Barnard College
Teresa Ebert, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
William Kennedy, B.A.
Siena College
Martha T. Rozett, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Michigan
Charles Shepherdson, Ph.D.
Vanderbilt University
Lynne Tillman, B.A. (Writer in Residence)
Hunter College
Associate Professors Emeriti
Diva Daims, Ph.D.
University of Virginia
Deborah Dorfman, Ph.D.
Yale University
Richard M. Goldman, Ph.D.
Indiana University
Edward M. Jennings, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin
Charles Koban, Ph.D.
University of Illinois
Thomson Littlefield, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Rudolph L. Nelson, Ph.D.
Brown University
Joan E. Schulz, Ph.D. (Collins Fellow)
University of Illinois
Frederick E. Silva, Ph.D.
Indiana University
Donald B. Stauffer, Ph.D.
Indiana University
Associate Professors
Richard A. Barney, Ph.D.
University of Virginia
Bret Benjamin, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin
Langdon Brown, Ph.D.
Cornell University
Lana Cable, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Helen Regueiro Elam, Ph.D.
Brown University
Donald Faulkner, M.Phil
Yale University
Jennifer Greiman, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Glyne Griffith, Ph.D.
University of the West Indies, Mona
Michael Hill, Ph.D.
Stony Brook University
Eric Keenaghan, Ph.D.
Temple University
Ineke Murakami, Ph.D.
University of Notre Dame
Helene E. Scheck, Ph.D.
Binghamton University
Edward L. Schwarzschild, Ph.D.
Washington University
Paul Stasi, Ph.D.
University of California, Berkeley
Laura Wilder, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Austin
Robert P. Yagelski, Ph.D.
Ohio State University
Carolyn Yalkut, Ph.D.
University of Denver
Visiting Associate Professor
Mary Valentis, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Assistant Professor Emeritus
George S. Hastings, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
Assistant Professors
Patricia Chu, Ph.D.
University of Chicago
Erica Fretwell, Ph.D.
Duke University
Kir Kuiken, Ph.D.
University of California, Irvine
James Lilley, Ph.D.
Princeton University
Tomás Urayoán Noel, Ph.D.
New York University
Wendy Roberts, Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Derek J. Smith, Ph.D.
Northwestern University
Full-Time Lecturer
Jill Hanifan, D.A.
University at Albany
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 20
Curriculum
The curriculum of the Department of English is designed to aid students to write effectively, to read critically, and to acquire a sense of the development of literature written in English and of its relation to society. English majors also have the option of applying for admission to the honors program. Students planning to take the GRE for graduate study in English are strongly urged to include course work in pre-1800 British and American literature. All English majors are strongly encouraged to study at least one foreign language. Students may count up to 6 credits toward their English electives from the following list of courses.
Careers for the English Majors
The major in English prepares students for any field of work that requires a broad liberal education with special strength in language, critical analysis, and research. English graduates find careers in theatre and film, government, counseling, broadcasting, public policy and administration, banking, retailing and manufacturing, as well as writing, editing, publishing, teaching, advertising, and public relations. The English major is also excellent preparation for advanced study in such professional graduate programs as law, medicine, librarianship, social welfare, theology, and education.
Degree Requirements for the Major in English (36 credits)
- 12 credits from required courses: A ENG 205Z, 210, 305V, 310
- 6 credits from the following literature surveys: A ENG 261, 291, 292, 295, or 297
- 3 credits from 200 to 400 level courses*
- 9 credits from 300 to 400 level courses
- 6 credits from 400 level courses
*Students may count 3 credits of approved coursework from other departments from the list below toward the 200 to 400 level requirement.
Additional Requirements
A grade of C or higher in A ENG 210, or permission of instructor, is required in order to register for A ENG 310 and most 400 level courses in English. Completion of 305V, or permission of instructor, is required for most 400 level courses.
Mentorship: English majors are expected to meet with their faculty mentors, assigned by the English Undergraduate Advisement Office, to discuss academic and career goals at least once prior to the start of senior year.
Honors Program in English
The honors program in English is designed to promote intellectual exchange and community among able English majors and to prepare them to do independent work. Successful completion of the program earns an Honors Certificate in English and nomination for graduation with "Honors in English" from the University.
Admission to the honors program is through a competitive selection process. Application for the honors program is normally made in the spring semester of the sophomore year to the honors program coordinator. For admission, students should have completed 12 credits in English, including A ENG 210 and A ENG 305V. A ENG 310 is also recommended. Those who plan to write a creative thesis should have taken A ENG 302Z or 402Z. Students should have an overall average of at least 3.25 and 3.50 in English. The honors committee may waive the entry requirements where appropriate. Transfer students may apply upon acceptance to the University.
To remain in the honors program students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 in English courses and a minimum 3.25 overall. Any student who leaves the honors program is held responsible for the English major requirements.
The Departmental Honors Committee reviews applications and admissions, monitors the progress of honors students, and evaluates the honors thesis. Upon students' completion of the requirements, the honors committee recommends candidates for the degree with honors in English
Degree Requirements for Honors in English (37 credits)
- 9 credits from major core courses: A ENG 205Z, 210, 310
- 13 credits from required courses: A ENG 305V, 399Z, 498, 499
- 6 credits from the following literature surveys: A ENG 261, 291, 292, 295, or 297
- 3 credits from 200 to 400 level courses*
- 6 credits from 300 to 400 level courses
Note: A ENG 399 can, with advisement, be replaced by taking a 500 or 600 level course relevant to the thesis topic during the senior year.
*Students may count 3 credits of approved coursework from other departments from the list below toward the 200 to 400 level requirement.
Fulfillment of the honors program waives the regular requirements of the English major. To remain in the honors program students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 in English courses and a minimum 3.25 overall. Any student who leaves the honors program is held responsible for the English major requirements.
Combined B.A./M.A. Program
The combined B.A./M.A. program in English provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of the undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of their junior year.
The combined program requires a minimum of 140 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all university and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minor requirements, the minimum 90 credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, the general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.A., students must meet all university and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and M.A. programs.
Students may be admitted to the combined degree program at the beginning of their junior year, or after the successful completion of 56 credits. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and three letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration. Students will be admitted upon the recommendation of the Graduate Admissions Committee of the department.
Approved Courses for English Electives
Students may count 3 credits toward their 200 to 400 level English electives from the following list of courses. Prerequisites for individual courses follow in parentheses.
Africana Studies
A AFS 340 The Black Essay
A AFS 345 The Black Novel: Black Perspectives
A AFS 355Z Introduction to African-American Poetry
A AFS 375 Black Popular Culture
Anthropology
A ANT 343 Native American Literature
A ANT 360 Social Anthropology
A ANT 363 Ethnology of Religion
A ANT 381 Anthropology of Gender
A ANT 390 Ethnological Theory
Classics
A CLC 223 Masterpieces of Greek Tragedy and Comedy
A CLC 225 Greek Literature in Translation
East Asian Studies
A EAC 210 Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation I
A EAC 211 Survey of Chinese Literature in Translation II
A EAC 212 Modern Chinese Literature in Translation
A EAC 420 Classical Chinese Poetry
A EAC 430 Chinese Travel Literature
A EAJ 210 Survey of Traditional Japanese Literature
A EAJ 212 Modern Japanese Literature in Translation
A EAJ 435 Meiji Literature in Translation
A EAS 270 Women in East Asian Literature
Judaic Studies
A JST 360 Jewish Autobiographies
A JST 373 The Arab in Israeli Literature
Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Prerequisites appear in parentheses following the title. An asterisk indicates a class not normally conducted in English.
A FRE 202 French Literature
A FRE 208 Haiti Through Literature and Film
A FRE 238 Great Classics of French Cinema
A FRE 281 French Canada Through Film and Literature
A FRE 315 Introduction to French Cinema (A FRE 241Z)
A FRE 338 French Cinema and Society (junior or senior class standing or permission)
A FRE 415 French Cinema and Society (A FRE 341Z and 340Z)
A FRE 430 Translation (A FRE 341Z and 340Z)
A FRE 481 Francophone Cultures (A FRE 341)
A ITA 313 Throughout the Ages: Gender, Ideas, and Writing in Italy from 1100 to 1900
A ITA 315 Italian Civilization: Etruscans to Galileo
A ITA 316 Contemporary Italy: Unification to Present
A ITA 318 Italian Cinema and Literature
A ITA 441 Women, Men, Love, and Politics of the Italian Renaissance (A ITA 313 or permission)
A RUS 251 Masterpieces of 19th Century Russian Literature
A RUS 252 Masterpieces of 20th Century Russian Literature
A RUS 253 Contemporary Russian Literature
A RUS 280 Soviet and Russian Cinema
A SPN 311 Hispanic Literature Through the Golden Age (A SPN 223)
A SPN 316 Representative Spanish-American Authors (A SPN 223)
A SPN 318 Topics in Hispanic Film (A SPN 223 or permission of instructor)
A SPN 320 20th Century Spanish-American Literature (A SPN 223)
A SPN 325 The Hispanic Short Story (A SPN 223)
A SPN 326 Spanish-American Poetry and Theatre (A SPN 223)
A SPN 333 Hispanic Literature in Translation
A SPN 414 Literature of the Hispanic Caribbean (A SPN 223)
A SPN 418 Hispanic Cinema and Literature (A SPN 223)
A SPN 446 Literature and Human Rights (A SPN 312 and 316)
A SPN 481 The Generation of ’98 (A SPN 312)
Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies
A LCS 316 Representative Spanish-American Authors (A SPN 223)
A LCS 318 Introduction to Brazilian Cinema
A LCS 319 20th Century Spanish-American Literature
A LCS 326 Spanish-American Poetry and Theatre
A LCS 327 Four Caribbean Writers
A LCS 414 Literature of the Hispanic Caribbean
A LCS 415 Los Latinos en EE.UU: Historia, Cultura, y Literatura
Theatre Studies
A THR 221 History of Theatre and Drama from the Antiquity to the Renaissance
A THR 222 History of Theatre and Drama from the English Restoration to the 1970s
A THR 224 Contemporary Issues in Modern Drama
A THR 225 American Theatre History
A THR 228 Voices of Diversity in Contemporary American Theatre and Drama
A THR 230 Great Drama on Film and Video
A THR 304Z Screenwriting I
A THR 450 Directing
A THR 456Z Seminar in Dramatic Literature
Women’s Studies
A WSS 202 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
A WSS 220 Introduction to Feminist Theory
A WSS 240 Classism, Racism, Sexism: Issues
A WSS 270 Women in East Asian Literature
A WSS 281 Women and the Media
A WSS 450 Literature of Feminism: An Interdisciplinary Seminar
A WSS 465 Feminist Theory
