Associate Professor Susan Eilenberg, Director
303 Clemens Hall

Secretary: Ms. Linda Bogdan

phone: 716-645-2579
645-2575 x1011

Major in English:
Minimum Requirements for Department Acceptance:
A conference with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss the student's future program and requirements for the Major. Students should be in good standing (i.e., a GPA of 2.0) before they apply. Two 200-level literature courses (202-299) with a minimum GPA in those courses of 2.5. Bring current UB DARS report directly to the English Department.

Department Requirements for Graduation:

Two courses (6 credits) of English in the 202-299 range. We recommend that at least one of these courses be a survey of literary history such as World Literature (221-222), British Writers (231-232), or American Writers (241-242).
Eleven courses (33 credits) on the 300-400 level to be arranged as follows:
One course (3 credits) in Criticism - English 301. Criticism introduces the students to the craft of literary criticism. Classes will discuss close reading of poetry, prose, analytical writing, using secondary sources creatively, revising critical prose, manuscript form and scholarly conventions, and several sorts of literary theory. Topics vary with instructors' interests, but in all sections, students will draft and revise a research paper of at least twelve pages. A student's first section of Criticism may not fulfill any other requirements for the major.
Four courses (12 credits) in Earlier Literature. Basically, earlier literature courses focus on literature before 1830, and majors must take at least two courses from at least two of the following three categories: 303 (Chaucer), 309/310 (Shakespeare), 315 (Milton).
Two courses (6 credits) in Later Literature. Basically, later literature courses focus on literature after 1830. Four courses (12 credits) in the 300-400 level as electives, including Earlier Literature, Later Literature, and Criticism courses beyond the courses specified above, and any other English courses at the 300-400 level.
13 courses (39 credits) in all.

Departmental Language Requirement for Graduation
Every English major must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language through the second semester of the second year or its equivalent typically to be demonstrated through classroom courses.

If you enter the University at less than beginning proficiency in a foreign language, you will have to start with the beginning semester and proceed through intermediate level (a total of four semesters, e.g., Span. 101, Span. 102, Span. 151, Span. 152).

Courses

The Major

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