ENGL-BA - English (BA)

To study English at Stanford is to explore, deeply and rewardingly, the rich legacy of literature written in English, past and present. The department offers a wealth of courses on individual authors, the history of literary genres, literary theory, new media, and creative writing. Given the emphasis on critical thinking and interpretation, the English major is in turn an excellent preparation for many professional fields, including teaching, journalism, law, publishing, medicine, and business. The graduate program features rigorous training in the research and analysis of British, American, and global literary histories and texts, preparing students to produce scholarship of originality and importance, and to teach literature at the highest levels.

In the undergraduate program, students explore the traditions of literature in English. Courses emphasize interpretive thinking and creative writing, examining the dynamics of literary and cultural history, the structures of literary form and genre, and the practices of reading, writing, and critical analysis.

Suggested Preparation for the Major

Prospective English majors are advised to consider Thinking Matters courses that relate to literature to satisfy a major requirement. Also recommended is any introductory seminar taught by English department faculty through Stanford Introductory Studies. 

Students who take a class with substantial Anglophone literary content outside the department may petition for course equivalency to count that course towards the English major, at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Such courses cannot fulfill English literature core requirements; students may not receive course equivalency credit for more than two classes (or 10 units), and students should not take for granted that any particular course will be accepted.

Transfer students only may apply as many as four literature courses taken at approved universities toward the English major. Approval of such courses toward the major and its requirements is at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Request for transfer credit, including course syllabi and official transcripts, should be submitted to the undergraduate student services officer, and to the Office of the Registrar’s external credit evaluation section. After-the-fact petitions for courses taken outside the department may be refused.

The department expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes. These learning outcomes are used in evaluating students and the department's undergraduate program. Students are expected to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of major theories, methods, and concepts of literary study and critical analysis.

2. an awareness of how authors and texts develop in relation to their historical contexts.

3. a comprehension of the formal qualities of key literary genres, forms, and styles.

4. an effective style of writing and a powerful use of language.