English: The Novel, BA
The Concentration in Prose genres (i.e. The Novel) is for students interested in the forms, theories, histories, and practices of prose writing. What, for instance, makes a novel a novel? What makes a novel different from a story? A history? An allegory? A romance? What can narrative do that poetry can't? why do we need both fiction and non-fiction? Distinctions among these and other forms of prose writing are often difficult to make, precisely because their histories and conventions are so deeply intertwined: Samuel Richardson’s novel Pamela began as a conduct book for young ladies; Bram Stoker’s Dracula is written as a series of letters and diary entries; Thomas Pynchon’s Mason-Dixon is both history and fiction at once. This Concentration aims to provide students with a means of studying how prose genres form, how they function in different historical moments, and how they evolve over time. Its focus on genre allows both critical and creative writers to explore, and also to test in practice, the protean and various possibilities of prose.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: http://www.english.upenn.edu/Undergrad/
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Requirement 1 | ||
| Select one course in each sector from ENGL 0010-ENGL 5999, except 3000-3999: | 6 | |
| The One Series (TOS) 2 | ||
| ENGL 4500-4998 | 1 | |
| Early-Period Seminars 3 | ||
| ENGL 0300-0399; 0500-0599; 0700-0799; 2000-2999; 4500-4998; 5000-5999 | 2 | |
Seminar 2: Literature Before 1900 (Attribute: AEB7 or AEB9) | ||
| Literature Seminar Electives 4 | ||
| ENGL 0051; 0300-0399; 0500-0599; 0700-0799; 2000-2999; 3000-3999; 4500-4998; 5000-5999 | 2 | |
Seminar 3: Any Literature Seminar | ||
Seminar 4: Any Literature Seminar | ||
| Electives 5 | ||
| ENGL 0010-ENGL 5999 | 2-4 | |
| Concentration Requirements 6 | ||
| Four courses ENGL 0010-5999 with attribute AENV | ||
| Total Course Units | 33 | |
- 1
You will need to take one course to fulfill each sector of the Major Core, six in total. Two of these courses may double-count with your Literature Seminar Electives. Creative Writing Seminars cannot count in the Major Core.
- 2
The One Series seminar (TOS) cannot double-count in the Major Core. However, if you take a second TOS course, your additional TOS may count as a Literature Seminar or an Elective.
- 3
These Early-Period Seminars may NOT double-count in the Core.
- 4
These Seminar Electives may be double-counted in the Core.
- 5
The rest of your 13 c.u. for the English Major will be met with Electives. If none of your seminars are being double-counted in the Core, you will only need two Electives. For each double-counting course, you will need to add an Elective, for a maximum of four, to reach 13 c.u. With the approval of your Major Advisor, you may count up to two courses outside of English toward the Major. Courses in Linguistics (LING) and in Literatures not in English may count; in the case of Non-English Literatures, the courses should ideally be crosslisted (“Also offered As”) with ENGL, or you may obtain the permission from your Major advisor.
- 6
Concentration may be comprised from the 13 c.u. of the Major, or other courses.
Honors
Applicants must have a 3.6 GPA in the Major. Thesis required.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.