English Major

Degree Requirements

All students are required to complete overall degree requirements in addition to their major.  Please see Degree Completion Requirements for full details for students entering in the 2024-2025 catalog year. 

Those students who started at Hiram prior to the 2024-2025 academic year will follow the Degree Requirements outlined in your catalog of record.

Major Requirements

The English major encourages students to develop a better understanding of their own culture and other cultures through the examination of literature and language. Through the literature that we read, we connect with others in our own communities and around the world. The program offers opportunities to examine the traditions of English and American literature as well as world and post-colonial works in English and in translation (from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean as well as Europe, Canada, and Australia). The course of study in the English program offers interested students a structured opportunity to evaluate these texts from a variety of critical perspectives, and, for those so inclined, an array of writing courses in which to develop their creative and expository talents. The English major requires successful completion of 36-45 hours. 

Introductory Course (4 hours)

ENGL 10600 TELLING STORIES:READING LIT:IM

Two Courses in American Literature (6-8 hours)

Students must take two courses in American literature. Choose from the following courses:

Two Courses in British Literature (6-8 hours)

Students must take two courses in British literature. Choose from the following courses:

Two Courses in World Literature (6-8 hours)

Students must take two courses in world literature. Choose from the following courses:

*Two Advanced Literature Courses

In these courses, students will gain more in-depth knowledge of the topic of the connected course by engaging with extensive secondary materials. They will practice information literacy through original research on their chosen topic. They will develop their interpretive and close reading skills through the completion of a substantial (12-15 pages) analytical essay. These courses may be repeated for credit.

Three Electives (9-12 hours)

Students must take an additional three electives from the 3- and 4-credit courses listed above or from the following courses:

English majors NOT minoring in writing may also count up to two WRIT courses as English major electives.

Senior Capstone (4 hours)

Students must take the following two capstone courses in the fall of their senior year:

Required Correlative: One Course in Career Exploration (1 hour)

Students must take one course in researching and preparing for careers in the humanities.

Foreign Language

A foreign language is not required. Students must complete a foreign language through the 10200-level only if they plan to receive departmental honors upon graduation. 

Minoring in Writing

As of spring 2017, students completing the English major may combine it with a minor in writing. Students interested in this option should consult with English faculty members about how to complete the coursework for both the English major and writing minor in a timely manner. Students may NOT count writing courses toward both the English major and the writing minor. 

AP Credit

Students who have received a 4 or 5 on the English Literature Advanced Placement (AP) test receive credit for one of the required elective literature courses in the major. However, the English program encourages students who are considering graduate work to take additional courses in the major.

Requirements for Honors in English

Program honors are a privilege conferred upon the English program’s most outstanding students each year upon completion of the honors requirements. To apply for Honors in English, students must meet the Hiram College Honors GPA requirements (overall GPA of 2.80, program GPA of 3.60, and a sum of these two GPAs of 6.80). In addition, students must complete a foreign language through the 10200-level and receive an A or A- in the English capstone courses (ENGL 48000 SENIOR SEMINAR and ENGL 48010 SENIOR SEMINAR PART I). At that time, students who are eligible for honors are invited to submit an honors application to the English program for further consideration.

Pathway

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"Critical'' to timely degree progression.