Academic Program

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Faculty

Professors Balakian, Brice (Chair), Cerasano, Coyle, Davies, Harsh,, Maurer, Page, Staley
Associate Professors Ames, Child, Hauser, Padilla Rios, Rajasingham
Assistant Professors Clayton, Cypress, Martino
Visiting Assistant Processor Benson
Creative Writing Fellows Bari, O'Ryan 

The Department of English and Creative Writing offers courses in two programs of study: 1) literature in English and 2) literature in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. Students may pursue majors and minors in both these areas. We welcome non-concentrators in all of our courses. Students who major in English develop abilities to read carefully, to use language effectively, and to enhance their critical and analytical skills as speakers and writers. They gain insight into the cultural, historical, political, and social contexts in which literature is produced. Our English concentration is organized broadly along the sub-fields of British, American and Postcolonial Studies. Its courses offer ways of thinking about the many different perspectives on class, community, gender, identity, power, race, and sexuality. Majors will encounter a number of literary forms and achieve both depth and breadth in their studies. Students work closely with their advisors to create a path that introduces them to the beauty, diversity, and complexity of literature in English.

All English and Creative Writing Department courses emphasize student participation, intellectual initiative, and writing.

Our courses are connected to and overlap with courses in Africana and Latin American Studies, Environmental Studies, LGBTQ Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Women's Studies.

Our English majors go on to many types of careers: in arts and entertainment, business, communications, computer science, consulting, education, film, finance, journalism, law, library science, marketing, medicine, museum studies, philanthropy, politics, publicity, and publishing. Many students major or minor in English while also pursuing studies in other departments such as Computer Science, Economics, a foreign language, History, Neuroscience, Psychology, or Political Science.

Courses

The English Department offers four types of courses.

100-level courses 100-level courses are designed to introduce first- and second-year students to close reading and writing. They are English courses that offer new perspectives upon cultural, political, scientific, environmental, or social concerns. These courses are roundtables, discussion-based, and with close attention to critical writing. They count towards the English major and are open to all students, whether they intend to major in English or not.

200-level courses 200-level courses are open to all first- and second-year students and offer an introduction to the development of fields of study, critical engagement with tradition, canon formation, and critical methodologies and theories important for reading and writing. They are discussion-based with close attention to writing.

300-level courses 300-level courses in English are open to all second-, third-, and fourth-year students, majors and non-majors alike. There are no prerequisites. These courses focus upon special topics, authors, periods, or genres. They help students further develop theoretical awareness and critical speaking and writing skills.

400-level courses 400-level courses are open to all third- and fourth-year students and are seminars on special topics or writers. There are no prerequisites. They offer opportunities for independent intellectual exploration and critical writing. For majors, they can serve as gateways to an Honors thesis.

Awards

The Allen Prizes in English Composition — established in memory of Hattie Boyd Allen — two prizes in English composition.

The Jonathan H. Kistler Memorial Curricular Innovation Fund in English — established to support and nurture new curricular and pedagogical ideas within the English department.

The Lasher Prize — established as an award to a member of the junior class in recognition of outstanding talent.

The Lasher Prize for Distinction in English Composition —awarded for distinction in the various types of writing.

The Scott Saunders Prize for Excellence in Literature — established in memory of Scott Saunders '89, and awarded annually to a senior major in English who participated in the Colgate London English Study Group, in recognition of work done in London that is distinguished in its own right or which contributed to the completion of a distinguished project.

Advanced Placement

The department does not award Advanced Placement credit.

Transfer Credit

Students intending to take a course in English literature at another institution must consult with the department's transfer-credit adviser before enrolling. Transfer credit for an English course will be granted only after the course, which must resemble a 300-level course, is approved. Upon return to campus, the student sends the transfer-credit adviser the course syllabus and all written work. No more than two courses (in the case of a minor, one course) may be transferred for major credit. Students may not use a transferred course to fulfill the 400-level seminar requirement of the major.

Honors and High Honors in English

Students interested in pursuing honors in a major can find the additional requirements on the relevant major page. Use the links below in the Majors and Minors section to navigate.

Preparation for Graduate Study

Students interested in graduate study should consult with their advisers and the department chair early in their programs to be advised about preparation for advanced work. The department also designates special advisers to meet with students interested in graduate work, and informational meetings are held to help juniors and seniors plan their applications for fellowships and graduate admission.

Teacher Certification

The Department of Educational Studies offers a teacher education program for majors in English who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching. Please refer to .

MAT Degree in English

The Master of Arts in Teaching with a major in English is awarded by Colgate in the program. See .

Study Groups

London

Each year, a group of juniors and seniors spends a term in London studying British literature and theater under the direction of a member of the English department. Preference normally is given to majors or prospective majors who have completed at least three courses toward the requirements for the major.  is a 0.25-credit course limited to participants in the London English Study Group in a subsequent term. The course prepares students for the English coursework to be undertaken in London. For further information, see .

Jamaica

Students interested in Caribbean literature and Black Atlantic literature are encouraged to consider participation in the Jamaica study group. When directed by a member of the English department, the program features courses in contemporary Caribbean literature and criticism as well as Jamaican culture.

 

Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Courses