FAQs

1. I declared my English major in Spring of 2006 with an emphasis on language studies. I’m thinking of switching to a literature emphasis this semester (Spring 2007). Do I need to follow the new requirements?

No. You have the option of staying with the old requirements or following the new requirements.

2. Must all my electives be English classes?

Not necessarily. Students often are able to count Humanities and Comparative Literature classes as electives. If you are unsure, please check with your adviser.

3. I recently declared my English major. Do I have to take 6 units of lower-division courses before I enroll in English 480 or any of the upper-division literature classes?

If you have not taken any lower-division literature classes, either at State or at a community college (in the event that you are a recent transfer), it is strongly recommended that you do. To see which classes from another institution might fulfill this requirement, check with your adviser.

4. Can I use my Shakespeare class to fulfill both the Shakespeare requirement and the pre-1800 distribution requirement in the new curriculum?

No, but you may take another Shakespeare class either to fulfill the pre-1800 course requirement in the old curriculum or the pre-1800 distribution requirement in the new curriculum. The Department offers English 583 (“Shakespeare’s Selected Plays”) and English 584 (“Shakespeare’s Representative Plays”).

5. I’ve taken a survey course in the 18^th and 19^th century British and American Literature at a community college. Can I substitute this class for English 461, one of the survey core requirements for the English major?

No. English 461 is an upper-division literature class, whereas the one offered at the community college is a lower division literature class. You cannot substitute a lower division literature class for an upper division one. However, the lower-division literature class may used as an elective. Please remember that of the 15 units of electives, no more than 9 can be lower-division literature classes.

6. Should I follow the new requirements for the English major or the old one?

All students who officially declare their major in the Spring of 2007 and thereafter must follow the new curriculum. Those who declared their major prior to Spring 2007 may choose to follow the old or the new curriculum.

7. Does English 461 fulfill the pre-1800 course requirement in the old curriculum?

Yes.

8. What is an individual major?

The English Department offers the major in three different concentrations: literature, language studies, and the individual major. The individual major allows you to create your own emphasis within the first two areas of concentration. This does not absolve you from taking the core requirements. You may have some flexibility in the choice of your electives if you were to do an individual major. In any case, for the individual major, you must consult with an adviser to have your program approved before you embark on it.

9. Can I substitute English 475 for English 480 (Junior Seminar)?

No. English 475 is primarily for the liberal studies major. English 480 is part of the core requirement for all English majors. You may, however, take English 475 as one of your electives. If you have any questions on this point, please see an adviser.