English

Advice to Students New to the Department

First-year students with scores of 4 or 5 on English Literature Placement exams are encouraged to go directly into ENGL 220. They should check with Prof. Robert Ness, department chair, by e-mail at ness@dickinson.edu, if they have questions. Students thinking about becoming majors are encouraged to get started on the major right away. Spaces are being held for first-year students in ENGL 220. Even if you do not decide to become a major, ENGL 220 satisfies the college's WR requirement.

English majors with an AP credit or having completed one ENGL 101 course are encouraged to take 200-level courses and above as their electives in the major. In rare cases, declared majors may take an existing 101 course as a 300-level course with permission of the instructor, who will supply a supplemental reading list and writing assignments.

Students interested in creative writing should let Prof. Susan Perabo, the coordinator of the creative writing minor, know of this interest (perabo@dickinson.edu). Students who wish to pursue creative writing are encouraged to take writing courses of all sorts: ENGL 212 and 218 in all genres and “W” (writing intensive) courses. Entry into ENGL 218 creative writing courses is open to majors and non-majors in all years and the demand for these courses is high. We encourage students to be flexible and persistent.

We encourage students who wish to become English majors, or who like to write, to make the most of the opportunities to write on campus and develop a portfolio. Such opportunities include The Dickinsonian, the Belles Lettres Society, internships, the Dickinson Review, Close Reading (the English department newsletter), the Mermaid Players (as dramaturge) and the like.

Course Descriptions and Requirements for the Major:  www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/english.html

Additional Information: www.dickinson.edu/departments/engl