Frequently Asked Questions

How do I declare a major in English?

Contact Karmen Duke at 631-7226. She will set up an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies or another faculty member, who will discuss the major with you, explain the requirements, and help you choose your first majors-level classes.

Who will be my advisor?

Your first advising session is with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Very soon after that, you will be assigned at random to a faculty advisor. You can change advisors if you find another faculty member you prefer to work with provided that faculty member agrees to take you on. Bring a written note from the new advisor to the English Department offices, or have the new advisor send an e-mail to the administrative assistant to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Can I declare an English major while studying abroad?

No. You must declare your English major before you leave Notre Dame, or else you will have to wait until your next time on campus.

Where should I start as an English major?

Start by signing up for English 30101, "Introduction to Literary Studies." This course is a prerequisite for all majors-level Electives, but not for courses that fulfill the Literary History requirement (301XX).

Do 20XXX-level English courses count toward my English major?

No. A 20XXX-level literature course can be used to satisfy your University or College literature requirement, and a 20XXX or 30XXX-level creative writing class will satisfy your University or College fine arts requirement.

Can I take more than the three required Literary History courses?

Yes. Any literary history course you take beyond the three required can count as a majors-level Elective course within your English major.

What’s a Research Seminar?

In a Research Seminar, a professor discusses a chosen subject with a group of about twelve students. Each student chooses a special topic within that subject, researches it, and produces a substantial research project. The Research Seminar serves both as a capstone for your major, and as an opportunity to produce a piece of writing and research that will help your applications for graduate school, professional school, and some jobs.

What if I want to study abroad?

If you want to study abroad, you'll value the English Department's close ties with Notre Dame's longstanding London Program and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies' Dublin program. You can participate in these and other English-language study-abroad program without slowing your progress through the major, though it is wise to take the English 30101 before you go abroad. One semester abroad in any program is easily compatible with the English major; indeed, the Department encourages you to explore languages and literature beyond the English language tradition. A full year in a study-abroad program that offers no English-language literature courses can be more of a challenge to combine with an English major, though it is not impossible if you plan your course selection carefully and consult with your advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies. See also our credit transfer guidelines.

Do courses taken elsewhere count toward my English major?

Courses offered at the appropriate level at the Notre Dame programs in London, Dublin, and Australia may count toward your major. For transfer of credit from summer sessions at other universities or colleges, see our credit transfer guidelines. All courses must be pre-approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.