Undergraduate Programs
English majors may specialize in the following: Literature
Creative Writing
Secondary English Education
Literature
While the Department of English continues to offer an assortment of courses in literary periods and major authors leading to graduate study in British and American Literature, it conceives the world of texts as broader than the traditional Western literary canon. The department has developed strong concentrations in African-American Literature, Women's Literature, Comparative Literature, and Literary Theory. Creative Writing
The teaching of creative writing at the College began in 1919, and the Department's graduates include some of the most eminent authors of this century. Workshops in fiction writing, poetry, playwriting, and film and TV writing are regularly offered by professors who are themselves accomplished authors.
Secondary English Education
A specific regimen of courses is required for students planning to teach English in secondary school in the State of New York.
Minor in English
The Department offers a minor as well as a major in English. Students wishing to pursue a specialized minor-such as "Literature and Law" or "Literature and History"-will develop a program in consultation with their English Department advisor and advisors from other relevant departments or programs.
CCNY English Honors
All qualified students, and especially those who plan to attend graduate school, are urged to apply for admission to the English Honors Program. Candidates are expected to seek written recommendations from at least two English professors. On the basis of these recommendations, the candidate's grades in English courses, and an interview, the Honors Committee decides whether a candidate is qualified for honors work. Applications should be made to the Director of the Program (currently Prof. Mikhal Dekel).
Major and Minor Requirements
Majors
36 total credits are required to fulfill the English Major. English majors must complete English 33000, English 33100, and take 30 additional credits in one of three areas of specialization. No more than 12 transfer credits can be used to fulfill major requirements. Also, please note that publishing courses do not fulfill major or minor requirements.
Mandatory for All English Majors (6 credits):
(1) The two required Critical Reading and Writing classes, Engl 33000 and Engl 33100, help students develop the basic vocabulary and skills of close textual analysis, and also introduce influential theoretical concepts. These can be taken in any order and at any time, but we recommend that they be taken early in the major.
Electives (30 credits in one of the following areas of Concentration):
(2a) Literature Concentration:
30 credits of literature courses (30000 level or above). We recommend that all students, and especially those looking ahead to graduate school, study a variety of literary genres and periods. One elective creative writing course may be taken in place of a literature course.
(2b) Creative Writing Concentration:
18 credits of creative writing courses (22000 or above) and 12 credits of literature (30000 level or above). Creative writing workshops may be taken repeatedly for credit.
(2c) Secondary English Education Concentration:
30 credits in specific course areas required by the state. This specialization is for students planning to teach at the junior-high or high-school levels, and is usually taken in conjunction with English Education courses toward a teaching certificate. See Prof. Elizabeth Rorschach at NAC 5/207C for English Education advising (X6291).
Minors
The English Department offers a minor of 15 credits.
(1) 3 credits of either one of the Critical Reading and Writing classes, Engl 33000 or Engl 33100.
(2) 12 credits of elective courses in English (22000 or above).
More Information
Each semester the English Department produces an undergraduate course description booklet that gives detailed information on all 22000-and-higher-level courses offered the following semester. These booklets are freely available at the main office, NAC 6/219. Future course descriptions will be posted online as well.
For more information, advising, walk-in registration, or to sign up as a major or minor, please meet with an undergraduate English advisor at NAC 6/219 or call (212) 650-6360.
Please Note: This booklet is not yet complete. Information will be added as it is received. 
