Reed College
Reed College

English Department

Requirements for the English Major

Effective Fall 2019

Cultural Emphasis

  1. Two units of 200-level English courses in different genres.*
  2. At least six units of 300- or 400-level Reed English courses, one of which may be in creative writing [or literature in translation]. Students may include two study abroad courses in this group.
  3. Two of the eight units above must be in literature prior to 1900, one of which must be in literature prior to 1700.
  4. One semester of the junior seminar.
  5. Junior qualifying examination.
  6. Two units in 200-level humanities (or, by petition, courses that address questions of cultural history relevant to the student’s major).
  7. English 470.

Note: In addition, two units in literature in translation are required to meet part of the divisional requirements.

Foreign Literature Emphasis

  1. Two units of 200-level English courses in different genres.*
  2. At least six units of 300- or 400-level Reed English courses, one of which may be in creative writing [or literature in translation]. Students may include two study abroad courses in this group.
  3. Two of the eight units above must be in literature prior to 1900, one of which must be in literature prior to 1700.
  4. One semester of the junior seminar.
  5. Junior qualifying examination.
  6. Two units in foreign literature not in translation to meet part of the divisional requirements.
  7. English 470.

*Poetry and fiction/narrative are recommended. Literature 266, when offered, may be used to fulfill this requirement as well.

In consultation with their academic advisers, students majoring in English should plan to take courses from a range of genres, topics, and periods within the department. The department strongly recommends that all majors take at least one course in each of the principal literary genres: poetry, drama, and fiction.

Students who plan to write a creative thesis in their senior year will fulfill major requirements with one of these two emphases, and with additional courses in creative writing.

Requirements for the Major Prior to Fall 2019

  1. Two 200-level English courses in different genres (Literature 266, when offered, may be used to fulfill this English department requirement as well).
  2. One semester of the Junior Seminar.
  3. At least four other 300- or 400-level English courses taken at Reed, one of which may be in creative writing or literature in translation.
  4. English 470.
  5. Aside from the Junior Seminar and English 470, two of the seven required English courses must be in literature prior to 1900, and one of these must be in literature prior to 1700.
  6. Junior Qualifying Examination.

English majors must also satisfy divisional requirements and College requirements. Talk to your adviser or the Registrar's Office for more information.

In consultation with their academic advisers, students majoring in English should plan to take courses from a range of genres, topics, and periods within the department. The department strongly recommends that all majors take at least one course in each of the principal literary genres: poetry, drama, and fiction.

Declaring a Major

Students may declare a major (or the intention to major) in English at any time, but College regulations require that students MUST declare a major once they have completed 16 or more units. If a student is enrolled in courses the completion of which would bring the student's total number of units to 16 or more, the student will not be allowed to register for subsequent semesters until s/he declares a major. (Students who transfer with 16 or more units must declare the major before the end of their first semester at Reed.) The major shall be declared by filing with the Registrar's Office an approved Declaration of Major form, indicating the completion of the required introductory work and outlining the remainder of the program to be taken in order to achieve graduation. The Department will review the records of all newly declared juniors and advise them whether the proposed program of study is satisfactory, or whether certain course changes are required. All upper class students must have as their official faculty advisor a member of the English Department.