BA in English in Hanover United States | Dartmouth College

Pursuing an English major involves fulfilling distribution requirements and selecting a concentration. Discover details about the English major, modified major, and minor options. Dartmouth's English and Creative Writing Department offers courses that enhance communication and analytical skills, making them valuable additions to various fields of study. The English major cultivates critical thinking abilities applicable to nearly any professional trajectory. Students also develop expertise in employing advanced critical terminology. Literary theory is a mandatory component for all English majors. Through examining key 20th-century theoretical approaches—including structuralism, post-structuralism, feminist theory, Marxist criticism, deconstruction, queer theory, psychoanalytic criticism, and post-colonial studies—majors gain proficiency in applying complex analytical frameworks. These competencies strengthen one's capacity to critically engage with diverse texts, from ancient poetry and Elizabethan drama to contemporary Caribbean literature and digital narratives. Written expression forms the cornerstone of the English major. Students typically produce multiple substantial essays in each course, with senior seminars requiring an extensive research paper as the program's culminating project. Approximately one-quarter of majors opt to complete an honors thesis, usually spanning 60-90 pages (with flexibility for creative works). The creative writing track involves workshop-based courses culminating in a portfolio of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or novel excerpts. Given the universal demand for articulate, thoughtful writing in professional contexts, honing this skill through faculty mentorship represents a significant advantage of the English major.