Uncover new worlds

The English Department’s literature offerings include (but are definitely not limited to) historical survey courses (such as Medieval, Victorian, or Early American literature), single author studies (such as Milton, Shakespeare, Toni Morrison, James Joyce, James Baldwin, Emily Dickinson, or Zora Neale Hurston), courses on literary theory, cultural criticism, immigrant literature, women’s literature, experimental fiction, and African American literature, and courses in selected topics like science fiction, science in fiction, blues detective fiction, the vampire, the western, and the Harlem Renaissance. Students majoring in literature will complete 39 credits of coursework, including the gateway Introduction to Literary Study which will prepare them for the major by, among other things, helping them develop a critical vocabulary and method for reading and writing about literature.

We are committed to providing our students with a rigorous education that reflects the diversity of our community and the ever-evolving global literary landscape.

In addition to satisfying CCNY’s core requirements (checked by the Dean’s Office, NAC 5/225), English majors must complete 3 credits of Gateway (ENGL 25000) and 36 additional credits of Literature courses. 39 credits total are required of the English major. No more than 12 transfer credits may be used to fulfill major requirements. Publishing courses do not meet the requirements for either the English major or minor.

1. All majors must take English 25000 which is a pre-requisite to all 300- and 400-level Literature classes and it must be taken at the beginning of your work for the major.

2. All majors must also take one additional 200-level Literature course (a Genre Survey, a Historical Survey, or a Literatures of Diversity course). This class is a pre-requisite to taking 300- and 400-level Literature classes and must be taken at the beginning of your work for the major. No more than four 200-level Literature classes may be counted towards the English major.

3. All majors must take two 300-level Literature courses. One 300-level Literature class may be taken concurrently with 200- level Literature class, but completing the Gateway class and an additional 200-level Literature course is a pre-requisite for further enrollment in 300- and 400-level Literature classes.

4. All majors must take one 400-level Literature course. Completing two 300-level Literature classes is a pre-requisite for enrollment in 400-level Literature classes.

Further Requirements for Literature Concentration:

24 credits (eight classes) of Literature courses at any level; but please note that no more than four 200-level Literature classes may be counted towards the English major. It is recommended that students study a variety of literary genres and periods. A single elective creative writing course may be taken in place of a literature course.

Mandatory Gateway course for all English Majors (3 cr.):

Introduction to Literary Study: ENGL 25000

Additional Literature Courses (36 cr.):

Elective Literature (200-level)
Elective Literature (300-level)
Elective Literature (300-level)
Elective Literature (300-level)
Elective Literature (400-level)
Elective Literature (200-level or above)
Elective Literature (200-level or above)
Elective Literature (300-level or above)
Elective Literature (300-level or above)
Elective Literature (300-level or above)
Elective Literature (300-level or above)
Elective Creative Writing or Elective Literature (300-level or above)

Advising

Olivia Wood, Lecturer in English
Location: NA 6/219
Phone: 212-650-6360
owood@ccny.cuny.edu

Spring 2025 Advising Hours

Mondays 3:30-5:00 (in-person, NAC 6/219)
Tuesdays 3:30-5:00 (Zoom)
Wednesdays 3:30-5:00 (in-person, NAC 6/219)
Thursdays 9:30-12:00 (in-person, NAC 6/219)