Undergraduate Programs

Major and Minor Requirements (for the class of 2011 through the class of 2014)

The preliminary course in reading and writing is 220.105-106 Introduction to Fiction and Poetry Writing. This is a prerequisite for all majors and others who want to take advanced courses in writing.

Requirements for a Writing Seminars B.A. Degree

(Through Class of 2014)

Students choose a genre concentration: fiction, poetry, generalist.

Two Introductory courses (200-level); both may be taken in the selected genre.
One Intermediate course (300-level) in the selected genre.
One Advanced Workshop (400-level) in the genre.
One Readings course (400-level) in the genre.
One Writing Seminars course beyond IFP outside the selected genre.
A total of 8 courses beyond 220.105-106.

In addition, students must take:

Two semesters of Introduction to Fiction and Poetry (220.105 and 106).
Four semesters of literature.
Two semesters of philosophy (The Writing Seminars strongly recommends that its majors select at least one course from the following: Philosophic Classics, Philosophic Problems, Introduction to Greek Philosophy, or Introduction to History of Modern Philosophy).
Two semesters of history (may include one course in History of Art or History of Science and Technology.
Majors are encouraged to take at least one semester of History of Occidental Civilization).
Demonstrate competence in a foreign language through the intermediate college level.

Requirements for an Undergraduate Writing Seminars Minor (through the class of 2013)

A minor in The Writing Seminars is available only to selected undergraduate students (up to and including the class of 2013) who apply to the department’s director of undergraduate studies. The requirements for a minor are:

Two semesters of Introduction to Fiction and Poetry (220.105 and 106).
One semester of English literature.
One semester of history.
One semester of philosophy.
Demonstrated competence in a foreign language through the intermediate level.
Five semesters (total) beyond IFP in The Writing Seminars.

Major Requirements (class of 2015 and later. Optional for classes of 2012 - 2014)

Requirements for a Writing Seminars B.A. degree

Two semesters of Introduction to Fiction and Poetry (220.105 and 106).
Four semesters of English literature or other literature with adviser’s approval.
Two semesters in the Department of Philosophy. It is strongly recommended that at least one be selected from either Philosophic Classics or the department’s introductory courses. Philosophy courses from other departments maybe used with adviser’s approval.
Two Semesters in the Department of History. Majors are encouraged to take at least one semester in the History of Occidental Civilization. May include one course from History of Art or from History of Science and Technology.
Demonstrated competence in a foreign language through the intermediate level. Any language requirement waived by exam must be documented on transcript or in the Advising Office before the checklist will be accepted.

Beyond IFP 1 & 2 (220.105 and 106) in the major:

One semester of Introduction to Fiction
One semester of Introduction to Poetry
One semester of fiction at the 300-400 level.
One semester of poetry at the 300-400 level.
One advanced writing workshop.
Three elective semesters beyond IFP within the department.