Core Classes
Classes such as University Writing (ENGL C1010 or F1010) and Literature Humanities do not count toward the major.

Major Cultures (CC) and Cultural Diversity (GS) Classes
English Department courses used to satisfy the C.C. Major Cultures or the G.S. Cultural Diversity requirements may also count toward the major.

Elective Writing and Foreign Language Literature Classes
Only 2 writing courses OR 2 upper-level literature courses taught in a foreign language, OR 1 of each, may count toward the major. Such courses do not satisfy any distribution requirements. Students may count writing courses offered through not only the English Department but also the Creative Writing Program and Barnard.

Summer Classes
For CC and GS, only 2 summer classes may count toward the major.

Comparative Literature Classes
Only Comparative Literature courses offered through the English Department may count toward the English major or concentration. These courses are designated by CLEN, and they appear on the distribution lists. Comparative Literature courses in other departments and courses taught in English in foreign-language departments normally cannot be used for the English major: see or email the D.U.S.

Pass/Fail Courses and Ds
No course taken Pass/Fail may count toward the major (except, for CC students, the first course taken toward the eventual major); also, courses assigned a grade of D may not count toward the major.

Barnard English Classes
Courses offered through the Barnard English Department may count toward the major or concentration, and there is no limit on how many Barnard courses may be used for the major or concentration. Students should consult the Barnard Course Distribution List, available in the English Department office (602 Philosophy) and at the department’s website, that specifies Barnard courses approved for the major and the requirements that these courses satisfy. Before taking Barnard courses not on this list, students should verify with the Director of Undergraduate Studies whether and how such courses may count toward the major.

Independent Studies and The Senior Essay
Any number of independent studies may be taken, but only one independent study may count toward the major, and that one cannot be used to satisfy any distribution requirements. Likewise, the Senior Essay may count as one of the 10 courses for the major but satisfies no distribution requirements. Students may not count both an independent study and the Senior Essay toward the major.

Transfer Credit / Study Abroad
Students must obtain the approval of the D.U.S. to receive credit for courses taken elsewhere. Transfer students and students planning to study abroad should bring or email relevant material—transcripts, course descriptions, syllabi—to the D.U.S., who decides whether and how outside courses may be used for the English major or concentration. No more than five courses taken elsewhere may be applied to the major, and no more than four courses taken elsewhere may be applied to the concentration. (Barnard College does not count as “elsewhere”: there is no limit on how many Barnard English courses may be used for the major or concentration.)