FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Coordinator of the Secondary Field:
Melissa Gerber mgerber@fas, 5-8443
Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Daniel Donoghue, dgd@ wjh, 5-2505
Q: When is the deadline to petition for June and November degree candidates?
A: According to the Registrar, the deadline is the seventh Monday of spring term.
Q: I understand the basic requirements, but I still want some guidance in choosing my courses.
A: For ideas about pulling together a coherent set of six courses, see the last question below and the accompanying link to suggested Sample Tracks. If, after consulting them, you would like to speak to someone for further advising, contact the Coordinator for the Secondary Field (above), who can help you or suggest more options. You may also see the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Your course selection does not need to follow a predetermined plan, however. Feel free to use them to explore areas of the field in a wide-open way, if you wish.
Q: May I take the six courses in any sequence?
A: You may take them in any sequence, but for a variety of reasons it makes good sense to take English 10a early on.
Q: What counts as an undergraduate seminar?
A: Any course led by a professor or lecturer, which has an enrollment under 25. Typically, these are listed in the catalog as 90-level seminars, but you may also enroll in a Sophomore Seminar (English 97) if there is room. A third option would be a small lecture course (100-level) with fewer than 25 students, but if you wish to pursue the 100-level option, you must confirm it with the Coordinator for the Secondary Field or the DUS (above). (Note: creative writing courses do not count as seminars, even though they have small enrollments.)
Q. When is the ideal time to take an undergraduate seminar?
A: There is not an ideal time, but you shouldn't wait until your last term. We suggest that you shop a seminar or two before your Senior year.
Q: Since an undergraduate seminar is required, do Secondary Field students receive preference in being admitted to them?
A: No, because they are also required of English concentrators. Some seminars have long waiting lists, while others have empty seats. To increase your chances, be sure to shop several.
Q: What counts as an American Literature course?
A: A basic American survey course, English 17, is offered every year. In addition, a number of American literature courses are offered at the 90-level or 100-level every year, and the American content is signaled in the title and/or the course description. Most cases are unambiguous. For courses with mixture of American and other kinds of literature, a rule of thumb is that if more than half the content is American literature, then it counts. If you are unsure, please consult the Coordinator for the Secondary Field or the DUS (above).
Q: Is there a limit to the number of creative writing courses I can take?
A: No more than two creative writing courses may count toward the Secondary Field degree. Students are admitted to creative writing courses only by application at the beginning of each term. See the Creative Writing webpage for the dates and the application process. (Note: creative writing courses do not count toward the seminar requirement.)
Q: What about transfer credits? Study abroad? Summer school?
A: The rule of thumb is that only one course not taught by a faculty member in Harvard’s English Department may count toward the total of six. Thus if a summer school course, for example, is taught by a Harvard English Department faculty member, it counts as would any English Department course. Any other summer school course (as with transfer credits or study abroad) would be limited to one.
Q: What about Freshman seminars?
A: A Freshman seminar may count only if it is taught by an English Department faculty member. It is the only course that may be counted without a letter grade.
Q: Do courses offered in other departments or programs (such as Women and Gender Studies, Literature, Art History, VES) count toward the total of six?
A: No. Exceptions would have to meet the following two criteria: (a) the course is taught by a member of the English Department faculty; and (b) the subject matter of the course is literature. To pursue this possibility you must confirm it with the Coordinator for the Secondary Field or the DUS (above).
Q: What about Core and/or General Education courses?
A: No. Exceptions are the same as with the preceding question. If the exceptions are met, then one course can double count as a Core and Secondary Field requirement.
Q: Can English 10b (or any other course) count for 10a?
A: No.
Q: Can I take a course Pass/Fail or Sat/Unsat?
A: No. Each course must be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum threshold of C-minus for it to count. The only exception is a Freshman Seminar taught by an English Department faculty member (see above).
Q: I like all kinds of English literature and I want to explore more. Beyond the basic requirements, can my course choices be free ranging?
A. As much as you’d like.
Q: I have specific interests that I want to pursue. Can I tailor my course selection to those interests?
A: Good idea. Let’s say, for example, you are interested in poetry and would like to take as many poetry classes as possible. Because English 10a, Major British Writers I, is a fixed requirement, you are left with five courses to choose from the department’s offerings. The illustration below, drawn from The Courses of Instruction 2006-2007, aligns various poetry courses next to the requirement they fulfill. The exact selection of courses will vary from year to year, so use this only as a model of what is possible rather than a specific recommendation.
More sample clusters
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