Director of Undergraduate Studies: Prof. David Yerkes, 615 Philosophy; 854-5280; dmy1@columbia.edu

Departmental Advisers:
Prof. Julie Crawford, 613C Philosophy; 854-5779; jc830@columbia.edu
Prof. Nicole Horejsi, 602 Philosophy; 854-3215; njh2115@columbia.edu
Prof. Wen Jin, 602 Philosophy; 854-2623; wj2130@columbia.edu

Departmental Office: 602 Philosophy; 854-3215

• http://www.columbia.edu/cu/english/

The program in English fosters the ability to read critically and imaginatively, to appreciate the power of language to shape thought and represent the world, and to be sensitive to the ways in which literature is created and achieves its effects. It has several points of departure, grounding the teaching of critical reading in focused attention to the most significant works of English literature, in the study of the historical and social conditions surrounding literary production and reception, and in theoretical reflection on the process of writing and reading and the nature of the literary work.

The courses the department offers draw on a broad range of methodologies and theoretical approaches, from the formalist to the political to the psychoanalytical (to mention just a few). Ranging from the medieval period to the 21st century, we teach major authors alongside popular culture, traditional literary genres alongside verbal forms that cut across media, canonical British literature alongside postcolonial, global, and trans-Atlantic literatures.

At once recognizing traditional values in the discipline and reflecting its changing shape, the major points to three organizing principles for the study of literature—history, genre, and geography. Requiring students not only to take a wide variety of courses but also to arrange their thinking about literature on these very different grids, the major gives them broad exposure to the study of the past, an understanding of the range of forms that can shape literary meaning, and an encounter with the various geographical landscapes against which literature in English has been produced.

Advanced Placement

The department grants 3 credits for a score of 5 on the AP Language and Composition exam but the student is not entitled to any exemptions. The department grants 3 credits for a score of 5 on the AP Literature and Composition exam but the student is not entitled to any exemptions.

Advising

Students are not assigned specific advisers, but rather each year the faculty members serving on the department’s Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) are designated undergraduate advisers (see above, Departmental Advisers). Upon declaring a major or concentration in English, students should meet with the director of undergraduate studies or a delegated faculty adviser to discuss the program, especially to ensure that students understand the requirements.

Students must fill out a Major Requirements Worksheet early in the semester preceding graduation. The worksheet must be reviewed by an adviser and submitted to 602 Philosophy before the registration period for the final semester. The worksheet is available in the English Department (602 Philosophy) or on-line at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/english/ug_majworksheet.htm. It is this worksheet— NOT the Degree Audit Report (DAR)—that determines eligibility for graduation as an English major or concentrator.

Course Information

LECTURES

Generally lectures are addressed to a broad audience and do not assume previous course work in the area, unless prerequisites are noted in the description. The size of some lectures is limited. Senior majors have preference unless otherwise noted, followed by junior majors, followed by senior and junior nonmajors. Students are responsible for checking for any special registration procedures on-line at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/english/courses_ugreginst.htm.

SEMINARS

The department regards seminars as opportunities for students to do advanced undergraduate work in fields in which they have already had some related course experience. With the exception of some CLEN classes (in which, as comparative courses, much material is read in translation), students’ admission to a seminar presupposes their having taken ENGL W3001 Critical reading, critical writing. During the three weeks preceding the registration period, students should check http://www.columbia.edu/cu/english/courses_ugreginst.htm for application instructions for individual seminars. Applications to seminars are usually due by the end of the week preceding registration, and admit lists are posted by the second day of the registration period at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/english/courses_ugsemadmit.htm. Students should always assume that the instructor’s permission is necessary; those who register without having secured the instructor’s permission are not guaranteed admission.

Departmental Honors

Writing a senior essay is a precondition, though not a guarantee, for the possible granting of departmental honors. After essays are submitted, faculty sponsors deliver a written report on the essay to the department’s Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE), with a grade for the independent study and, if merited, a recommendation for honors. CUE considers all the essays, including sponsor recommendations, reviews students’ fall semester grades, and determines which students (no more than 10 percent of all graduating English majors in the College) will receive departmental honors.

The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)

The DAR is a useful tool for students to monitor their progress toward degree requirements, but it is not an official document for the major or concentration, nor should it replace consultation with departmental advisers. The department’s director of undergraduate studies is the final authority on whether requirements for the major have been met. Furthermore, the DAR may be inaccurate or incomplete for any number of reasons—for example, courses taken elsewhere and approved for credit will not show up on the DAR report as fulfilling a specific requirement.

On-Line Information

Other departmental information—faculty office hours, registration instructions, late changes, etc.—is available electronically at the departmental Web site.