FAQs for English Majors

Q:  Does AP credit count toward the major?
A:  No, AP credit does not count toward the major.
 
Q:  Do FWIS courses count toward the major?
A:  Yes, FWIS courses do count toward the major.
 
Q:  What are departmental distribution courses?
A:  “Departmental distribution courses” refer to the groupings of field courses required for the major (pre-1800; pre-1900; and noncanonical).  Distribution courses must be taken at the 300 or 400/capstone level with the exception of noncanonical courses, which can be taken at the 200, 300, or 400/capstone level. Creative writing courses and FWIS courses do NOT count toward distribution.  
 
Q:  What counts toward the pre-1800 requirement?
A:  Courses with majority emphasis in the period before 1800.  English 210 and non-English department courses do not count. 
 

Q:  What counts toward the noncanonical requirement?
A:  Courses featuring Angloplone or U.S literatures with significant focus on ethnic and minority literatures; non-western and postcolonial literatures; gender and sexuality studies.   

 Q:  What are departmental core courses? 
A:  "Departmental core courses" refer to the required sequence of English 200; English 300; and a 400-level capstone course. (Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2009 are not required to take a 400-level capstone course.)

Q:  What is overall course load?
A:  “Overall course load” refers to the total credit hours required of majors.  

Q:  Do foreign language literature courses count for the English major?
A:  Students may petition the DUS for up to 2 foreign language literature courses to count toward total hours for the major. They do not meet department distribution requirements.
  

Q: What is Distinction in Research and Creative Works? 

A: Students writing theses (both critical and creative) in AY 2012-13 are eligible to apply for University Distinction in Research and Creative Works, which if awarded, will be noted on the student's transcript upon graduation. Applications available in English department.

Other Notes: 

Non-literature classes (music, art) will not be considered for the major. 

Courses repeateable for credit. Some special topics as well as advanced writing courses are repeatable for credit. Consult the General Announcements (pdf) as to which these are.  

Transfer credits are governed by the principle of equivalency as stipulated in the General Announcements (pdf). Students should always consult with an advisor about study abroad or summer course plans and seek pre-approval for courses taken elsewhere. Some basic guidelines are the following:

1. Foreign language literature courses in translation do not automatically transfer as the English department has minimal offerings in this area;
2. The department does not grant transfer credit from community colleges; online universities; for-profit universities; or 2 year colleges.

Transfer credit requests should be directed to the Director of Undergraduate Study,
Sarah Ellenzweig at sellenz@rice.edu

 
Please expect delays in correspondence if you seek pre-approval for transfer credits during summer recess. An advisor or DUS only tentatively pre-approves courses when the university is not in session.