Yes I’m majoring in a language that I already speak let’s move on.

Whenever someone asks me what I’m majoring in, I always find myself responding in a sheepish tone, “…English,” before profusely apologizing for not studying something in STEM or a less “basic” humanities field, like anthropology or classics. Sometimes, I’m not entirely sure why I’m majoring in English, either. If asked on the spot, “Why English?” I don’t think I could come up with a convincing response. That’s because the times when I do know I made the right choice for myself, the times when I could not be more sure about the English major, usually happen spontaneously, when I’m so enraptured by something I’m reading or discussing in class. When the torturous early-modern texts that I struggled to understand suddenly come to life during seminar, or when a classmate shares an insight that makes the whole room pause and rethink everything. When a professor is so passionate about the topic they are teaching about, when your essay is returned with handwritten notes all along the margins– those are the moments when I truly love what I do. The English major is not just about reading a bunch of books and talking about them—it changes the way you think and read and write. It is the study of literature, the language that connects us all through time and space. 

I realize I’ve gotten carried away with the above description, in true English major fashion. Here are the logistical details that you’re all here for. (But truly, I cannot recommend Barnard English enough. The department is so lovely and all the professors are incredible and passionate about their students).

Requirements:

The requirements for the major consist of at least ten courses that make up a minimum of 35 credits. The department also offers four concentrations within the major: American Literature, Creative Writing, Film Studies, and Theater.

For the Major:

  • Critical Writing (ENGL-BC3193; must be taken by ALL majors): Typically taken during sophomore spring and basically the only strictly required course in the entire major (besides senior seminars). The course readings will vary depending on the professor, but its aim is to familiarize students with various critical lenses and how to write good academic essays. Think First Year Writing but specifically for English majors. Lots of critical theory, which can be difficult, but is incredibly valuable.
  • The English Colloquium sequence (ENGL-BC3159 and ENGL-BC3160): A sequence of two classes typically taken over the course of your junior year. ENGL-BC3159 is the Renaissance Colloquium and is always offered in the fall; ENGL-BC3160 is the Enlightenment Colloquium and is always offered in the spring. These are also required classes, but substitutions can be made for one or both of them to accommodate for students planning on studying abroad their junior year.
  • Two courses in literature before 1900.
  • Three elective courses from the entire English course offering.
  • Two senior seminars given by the Barnard English department.
  • One course in American literature.

For the American Literature concentration: ten courses, minimum 35 credits

  • Critical Writing (ENGL-BC3193)
  • The English Colloquium sequence (ENGL-BC3159 and ENGL-BC3160)
  • Two courses in literature before 1900, one of which must be either American Literature to 1800 (ENGL-BC3179) or American Literature 1800-1870 (ENGL-BC3180)
  • One survey course on American literature between 1871 and the present, either American Literature 1871-1945 (ENGL-BC3181) or American Literature Since 1945 (ENGL-BC3183)
  • An elective in American Literature
  • An elective chosen from the entire English course offering
  • Two senior seminars, one of which must focus on American Literature

For the Creative Writing concentration: 11 courses, minimum 38 credits. ***The Creative Writing concentration requires an additional application to be considered for it.

  • Critical Writing (ENGL-BC3193)
  • The English Colloquium sequence (ENGL-BC3159 and ENGL-BC3160)
  • Two courses in literature before 1900.
  • Two creative writing courses, preferably one introductory and one advanced.
  • Two elective courses chosen from the entire English course offering. One of these must be in literature, the other may be literature or creative writing.
  • One senior seminar given by the Barnard English department
  • A senior project
  • One course in American literature (may simultaneously fulfill other requirements where appropriate)

For the Film Studies concentration: 11 courses, minimum 38 credits.

  • Critical Writing (ENGL-BC3193)
  • The English Colloquium sequence (ENGL-BC3159 and ENGL-BC3160)
  • Two courses in literature before 1900
  • A literature elective chosen from the entire English course offering.
  • An introductory course in film and film theory, Intro Film and Media Studies (offered at Barnard and Columbia)
  • A course in screenwriting, either Screenwriting Fundamentals (FILM-BC3119) or Advanced Screenwriting (FILM-BC3120)
  • A film course from among specific offerings at Barnard or Columbia. This course must be approved by the Director of Film Studies Program.
  • Two senior seminars given by the Barnard English Department, one of which must focus on film.
  • One course in American literature (may simultaneously fulfill other requirements where appropriate)

For the Theater concentration: 11 courses, minimum 39 credits.

  • Critical Writing (ENGL-BC3193)
  • The English Colloquium sequence (ENGL-BC3159 and ENGL-BC3160)
  • Two courses in literature before 1900
  • A literature elective chosen from the entire English course offering.
  • Select one of the two tracks:
    • Option A:
      • Critical Histories of Drama, Theater, and Performance 1 (THTR-UN3150)
      • Critical Histories of Drama, Theater, and Performance 2 (THTR-UN3151)
      • One dramatic literature seminar
    • Option B:
      • One theater history course
      • Two dramatic literature seminars
  • One senior seminar given by the Barnard English department
  • A senior project
  • One course in American literature (may simultaneously fulfill other requirements where appropriate)

Already committed to a different major but still want to study English? Try the minor program instead! It consists of only five classes with a minimum of 15 credits.

Requirements for the minor:

  • One course in Chaucer, Shakespeare, or Milton
  • Two additional courses in literature before 1900
  • Two electives from the entire English course offering (but you can do more!)

Class Recommendations and Overview:

The English program at Barnard is fairly flexible from my own personal experience and very customizable to your own interests. The faculty is incredibly supportive and will help you plan out your major as you go. I also love that there are four different concentration tracks that allow students to focus on their specific interests within a larger major. I’m doing the Film Concentration track and I love it, but would also like to take a couple of creative writing courses before I graduate just for fun! I’m a sophomore, so I haven’t had a chance to take a ton of classes in the Barnard English department yet that aren’t strict requirements for the major, but I’ve listed a few here that I’ve enjoyed or heard great things about!

  • The Autobiographical Effect (ENGL-BC3299)
  • Milton (ENGL-BC3167)
  • 17th Century Prose and Poetry (ENGL-BC3166)
  • The 18th Century Novel (ENGL-BC3173)
  • Shakespeare I & II (ENGL-BC3163 & ENGL-BC3164)
  • Intro to Film and Media Studies (FILM-BC3201) (This is only required for the Film concentration, but I recommend nonetheless! Super interesting class and you also get to watch movies.)

For more details, visit the Barnard English department website.

Barnard Hall via Bwarchives