The minor in English Literature is a great way to experience the rich history of English and American literature, while offering some flexibility to pursue other academic interests. Students will take the department’s three-quarter Introduction to English sequence, which traces the course of literature from medieval manuscripts to postmodern novels. Courses will also introduce students to rigorous methods of literary analysis and critical thinking.
Course Requirements
In order to graduate with a minor in English, students must complete the following program of seven 5-unit courses, at least one of which must be a seminar, for a total of 35 units:
Two of the three Methodology courses
ENGLISH 160. Poetry and Poetics ( 5 units)
ENGLISH 161. Narrative and Narrative Theory (5 units)
ENGLISH 162W. Writing Intensive Seminar in English (5 units)
Two of the three Historical courses
ENGLISH 10A. OR 10B. Introduction to English I (5 units)
ENGLISH 11A. OR 11B. Introduction to English II (5 units)
ENGLISH 12A. OR 12B. Introduction to English III (5 units)
Three Elective Courses
Three elective courses from those offered in the English department, only one of which may be a course in Creative Writing.
Minor Notes
Declaring
Students must declare the Minor no later than two quarters prior to their intended quarter of degree conferral, e.g., Autumn declaration for Spring conferral. To declare, follow the instructions in Axess for declaring a minor. Completed declaration forms are transmitted electronically to the department for approval; the student receives an on-line copy. Once the application had been approved, students will be e-mailed a notice of confirmation.
Transfer Credit
Transfer students only may apply two literature courses taken at approved universities toward the English major electives. In the case of all other students, literature courses taken outside the department will not normally be accepted for credit unless they are taken as part of BOSP. No petitions for courses taken outside the department will be granted retrospectively.
Units
One credit/no credit course OR one three-unit course, which has already been taken, may be applied to the Minor. Courses counted towards the requirements for the Minor may not be applied to the student's Major requirements.
Advising
The Director of Undergraduate Studies is available to answer general queries that cannot be answered by the Peer Advisors or the Undergraduate Coordinator.
Creative Writing
Information on the Creative Writing minor can be found on the Creative Writing web site.
For a comprehesive listing of the English Minors requirements, please visit Explore Degrees.
Connect with Stanford English on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
