| This is the online version of the English Department
Undergraduate Handbook. Every effort has been made
to make the online version accurate. The official version
of the Handbook, however, is the printed copy available
in the English Dept. office. |
|
1. Purpose
of the Undergraduate Handbook
| This handbook is written to
explain the requirements, policies, and procedures of the English
Department undergraduate program. It should be used as a general
departmental guideline. For information on regulations of the
College of Letters and Science, and on General Education requirements,
consult the UCSB
Catalog or the College of Letters and Science Guide to Undergraduate
Studies. |
2.
Rationale for the English Major
What does it mean to study
English today? The English department engages that question
by offering its students the opportunity to explore literary
texts written in Old English, internet texts, American novels,
Anglo-Irish literature, queer textuality, Science Fiction,
literature of the body, modern poetry, Shakespeare etc.—all
kinds of "literatures" written in English. We study the complex
interactions between literature, culture and history. At the
heart of literary study lies the simple yet striking recognition
that language constitutes both a technology of thought and
a constituent of human reality. The major in English transforms
this recognition into a program of study that develops the
critical skills required to negotiate complicated literary
and cultural texts. Together, we spend time working on questions
like these: (1) how do historical and cultural contexts lend
written texts their intelligibility and convey their strange
power? (2) How do gender and minority discourses inform our
understanding of literature? (3) How does the study of English
engage the public
sphere in its intersection with other fields, such as
cognitive science, social science and information science?
What can one "do" with a degree
in English? Graduate and professional schools and employers
seek people who can read, write, speak, and analyze—the
basic skills acquired by our English majors. Students who
study English learn how to think, and to think independently.
They are trained to read a variety of literary and cultural
works from across centuries and continents and to write proficient
and lively arguments. English majors learn about how the past
informs the present, become "keepers" of past works and present
cultures, and leave college thinking and feeling more deeply
about life and how to live it.
Our program is a coherent and
comprehensive program of literary studies leading to the Bachelor
of Arts degree. The program is academically oriented, providing
thorough preparation for graduate studies, and is a strong
program for those students desiring a broad liberal arts background.
The English major provides the opportunity to develop skills
in writing and in critical reading.
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3. Requirements
for the Major (as of July 1, 2000)
| 3.1 The
major requires 52 units in English, at least 44 of which must
be upper-division units. English 10 is recommended for English
majors satisfying Area A of the General Education Program. It
will not apply toward the English major unit requirement, however.
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| 3.2
Preparation for the Major
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3.2.1
English 15: Introduction to Shakespeare, lower division, 4
units
Students entering the major with upper-division standing may
substitute English 105A or 105B for the English 15 requirement.
Students electing this option may not apply their English 15
substitute toward the minimum 44 upper division units. |
3.2.2
Foreign Language Requirement
The ability to read a foreign literature in its original language
gives valuable insights into the operations of the English
language itself and into the difference between reading a
translation and the original. There are two ways to satisfy
the foreign language requirement for the English major: Option
1 or Option 2. Option 1 is the recommended way to fulfill
this requirement for all majors.
Option 1 develops the ability to read in a foreign
language at an advanced undergraduate level (as defined below).
Students who intend graduate work in literature are well advised
to take Option 1. In addition, election to Phi Beta Kappa
requires a foreign language at an advanced level.
To fulfill Option 1, students can either complete the fifth
quarter in any foreign language taught at UCSB or demonstrate
equivalent ability at the prescribed level by taking a placement
exam. (Consult the General
Catalog and language departments for information on placement
examinations; consult the English department undergraduate
advisor about other means of satisying the requirement that
may apply to a student's individual situation). Foreign languages
other than those taught at UCSB may be considered by petition.
Language classes taken in fulfillment of Option 1 may be taken
P/NP through the fourth quarter, but the final quarter must
be taken for a letter grade.
Option 2 complements the English major with the study
of foreign literature in translation taught by those who are
expert in the original language.
To fulfill Option 2, a student needs to complete the third
quarter (or its equivalent in a placement exam) in any foreign
language taught at UCSB; and also complete three upper-division
foreign-literature-in-translation courses to be selected from
a list available in the English department office. The third
quarter of courses in a foreign language, as well as all three
literature-in-translation courses, must be taken for a letter
grade.
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3.3
Upper Division Requirements in
English
Forty-eight
units in English are required, as follows.
3.3.1
Four Courses Offering a Broad Overview of British and American
Literature (16 units)
- English 101: English Literature from the Medieval period
to 1650
- English 102: English and American Literature from
1650-1789
- English 103A: American Literature from 1789-1900
-or- English 103B:
British Literature from 1789-1900
- English 104A: American Literature from 1900-Present
-or- English 104B:
British Literature from 1900-Present
3.3.2
English 197 - Upper Division Seminar (4.0 units)
This
seminar is designed as a small class limited to fifteen students
in which there will be opportunity for in-depth discussion
and a more advanced level of scholarship. Because enrollment
is strictly limited to fifteen per class, do not wait until
the last quarters of your senior year to enroll.
3.3.3
Electives and Specializations (28 units)
Twenty-eight units of English
electives are required of which at least 24 must be upper
division. Up to four may be lower division. English 10, 108,
108T and 117E may not apply. Upper division Comparative Literature
courses taught by English department faculty may apply toward
these electives.
The English Department encourages
upper-division students with particular literary/critical
interests to pursue them formally by selecting an area of
Specialization.
A Specialization consists of a minimum of four English department
courses constellated around a specific area of study. For
instance, a student interested in the interrelation between
literature and digital technology might elect to pursue the
Culture of Information Specialization. Or, a student interested
in Renaissance and Eighteenth Century literature could study
that subject within the Early Modern Studies Specialization.
The fundamental idea informing the Specializations is that
students should be enabled to explore particular areas of
interest through a disciplined itinerary of courses. At the
present time, the English Department offers the Cultures
of Information and the Early
Modern Studies Specialization. It is in the process of
formalizing a battery of fixed Specializations; more will
be forthcoming in the next academic year. Additionally, students
are encouraged to develop their own particular Specialization
in consultation with a faculty advisor. Working together,
the student and faculty advisor would tailor a Specialization
from already established course offerings. [See Specializations
for more information.]
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4. Planning
Your Major
The English department is aware
that there are many constraints on a student's ability to
plan and secure a coherent major, most especially when courses
are available. However, planning in advance helps to make
your undergraduate experience more successful, interesting,
and hassle-free. In planning your major, try to keep in mind
the following:
Sequencing of courses: In general,
it is wise to complete required classes early on in your program.
Classes specified as requirements mean that the department
considers them to be fundamental to your major and therefore
useful in providing you with important foundational material.
You may want to take a course in literary or cultural theory
early in your progress so you can apply it to your later course.
Think, as well about taking courses that make a coherent and
interesting quarter (and, ideally, year). That is, try to
combine courses in a particular period of English literature
with a course in history on the same period, with a course
in art history on the same period, and/or with a course in
another language (in translation or not) on the same period.
For example, a course on Renaissance drama might be combined
with a history course on the English Renaissance (or Italian,
or French Renaissance), with a course on Renaissance painting,
and/or a literature course on the Harlem Renaissance. Alternatively,
try to take courses that vary historically but address similar
questions, genres, styles. For example, a course on English
romantic poetry might be paired with a course on revolutions
(in history or political science), and/or with a class on
feminist approaches to social change.
Balance in course selection:
Where possible, give some thought to the kinds of course you
are taking in a given quarter in terms of workload. In terms
of courses within the major, you can assume that any course
will be writing intensive, but different courses require different
amounts and kinds of reading. When balancing English classes
with classes outside your major, try not to take 4 reading/writing-intensive
courses at once. Where possible, balance large lecture courses
with smaller discussion classes. Think, too, about getting
to know as wide a range of English professors as possible
and as early on as possible. This helps you identify the kinds
of professor with whom you might wish to study in a more concentrated
fashion later on.
Below is a what a schedule
of courses required for the English major might look like
for a student who plans to graduate in four years. Other courses
taken to satisfy General Education and University requirements
would be taken in addition to these courses.
| |
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Freshman |
Foreign Language Quarter 4 |
English 10 (not required, but recommended);
Foreign Language Quarter 5 |
English 15 |
| Sophomore |
English 101 |
English 102 |
English 103B Lower Division English Elective |
| Junior |
English 104B or
104AUpper Division English Elective |
Upper Division English Elective toward Specialization |
Upper Division English Elective toward Specialization |
| Senior |
English 197Upper Division English Elective |
Upper Division English Elective toward Specialization |
Upper Division English Elective toward Specialization |
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5. Special
English Department Programs
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5.1 Honors
Thesis
The Honors Program in English
provides the opportunity for qualified majors to undertake
advanced literary research or creative work. Successful performance
in the Program leads to graduation "With Distinction in the
Major." This program is especially recommended for students
who plan to pursue a graduate degree in literary studies.
Majors who have completed at least two quarters of the junior
year with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.5 (overall and/or
in the major) may apply for admission to the Program. Students
interested in the Honors Program should inquire of the Staff
Adviser for further information.
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5.2 English
199: Independent Studies
As defined by the guidelines
set by the College of Letters and Science, English 199 is
intended for qualified students who wish to pursue a directed
and advanced study of a particular subject in British or American
literature. English 199 may NOT be used for internships, general
interest reading, fulfillment of any part of the Option 2
language requirement, the exclusive or preponderant study
of foreign literature in translation, or study that is normally
available in regular classes. In special cases, a creative
writing project may be accepted by the Department, usually
under the direction of those teaching creative writing in
the Department.
English 199 is likely to be
your experience closest to individual, original research at
the graduate level. Inasmuch as this study is to be directed
reading at an advanced level, you should have completed an
upper division course relevant to your subject. You should
have a good idea of the area you wish to study, the
problems you wish to solve, and the methodology to
solve them. For a 4-unit course, the departmental norm for
the writing requirement is 15 pages (approximately 4,000 words)
of sustained writing.
The requirements of the independent
study program are as follows:
- Overall Grade Point Average must be at least 3.0 for the
preceding three quarters.
- At least 84 units must have been completed overall.
- At least two upper division English courses must have
been completed, one of which should be relevant to your
subject.
Approval for a 199 cannot be
rushed and is to be completed within the quarter before you
undertake your project. Do not begin your project without
full approval.
If you decide on a particular
area of study that is not normally available in departmental
courses, and if you believe that you meet with all of the
above requirements, then approach a regular faculty member
whose area of specialization corresponds with this study.
If the instructor agrees, then discuss readings, bibliography,
and writing requirements. During the project, the instructor
will meet with you once a week for 1-2 hours to direct your
reading and research.
To apply, ask the Staff
Adviser in the English office for a 199 petition form. |
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5.3 English
199RA: Independent Research Assistance
This course gives qualified
undergraduates the chance to take part in a faculty research
project. It is designed not only to forward the instructor's
research interests, but also to give you a significant learning
experience, comparable to what you would receive in an ordinary
course. It is a good opportunity to learn in a practical way
what is involved in academic research.
For each four-unit course,
you can expect to do ten to twelve hours of work per week,
including a one-hour meeting with the instructor and a significant
amount of reading and writing. Professors actively seeking
assistants will include a description of their projects in
the quarterly course outline booklet. If you are interested
in working with a regular faculty member whose area of specialization
corresponds with your interests, but he or she has not included
a description in the quarterly course outline booklet, you
may wish to ask if they would be interested in sponsoring
you as a research assistant.
The requirements for the research
assistance program are the same as those listed above for
English 199: Independent Studies. Once an instructor has agreed
to work with you, a 199RA petition, available from the staff
advisor, must be filed with the department. The petition will
then require the approval of the faculty chair of the undergraduate
committee. This approval process should be completed within
the quarter before you begin the work.
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5.4 Supplemental
Seminars
Qualified students may take
advantage of special seminar course that are often offered
in conjunction with large lecture courses. These one-unit
seminars provide an opportunity for motivated students to
work closely with faculty members while enriching their large
lecture experience. The requirements of the seminar will include
reading and/or writing beyond that already assigned in the
lecture course. The seminar does not take the place of the
regular discussion section for the lecture, which is conducted
by a teaching assistant.
Enrollment in these seminars
is not allowed during the first or second registration pass
of RBT. If a special seminar will be offered, the faculty
member will announce the course on the first day of lecture,
along with his or her criteria for admitting students. If
you are admitted to the seminar, the instructor will give
you a course approval code that will allow you to add the
course to your schedule during the third registration pass
of RBT.
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5.5 English
Club
Sponsored by the Department,
the English Club is organized to provide students with an
opportunity to meet with one another outside of the classroom,
to discuss academic subjects in an informal setting, to consider
career options, and to meet with writers and journalists.
The Club holds meetings about four times during each quarter;
anyone may attend. Notices announcing Club activities will
be posted on the bulletin board by the English Office, and
a newsletter will be mailed to you once a quarter. See the
Academic program adviser if
you would like to make any suggestions about Club activities.
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6. Graduate
Studies
| Many English majors enter graduate
and professional schools in preparation for such careers as
law, business, management, journalism, and public service. Other
English majors continue their literary studies in graduate school
in preparation for teaching and research. Selecting an appropriate
graduate school according to your interests and career plans
requires thought. |
|
6.1 Preparation:
Course Selection
If you are considering graduate
studies, see the Academic program
adviser for recommendations on courses offered at the
undergraduate level that will effectively prepare you for
graduate study. Important courses include Chaucer, Milton
and Literary Theory and Criticism. |
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6.2 Should
You Apply to Graduate Studies in English?
How can you tell if you should
apply to graduate studies in English? Be sure that you are
significantly committed not only to reading literature, but
to learning about how the academic community analyzes and
teaches literary texts. Indeed, in entering graduate school,
you are making a commitment to enter a community of scholars
and thinkers who have chosen to work towards uncovering new
and exciting ways to read and understand written texts, social
movements and cultural events. Once you enter graduate school,
you will be asked to become a contributing member of that
community. Deciding to apply to graduate school in English
involves its own significant commitment in terms of time and
energy. Think of the application process as another course-one
that runs from about June to December. To best prepare your
application, you should focus on four elements: Letters of
recommendation, GRE exams, Researching Programs, and Statements
of Purpose/Writing Samples. Following is a brief discussion
of how to best prepare those elements. |
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6.3 Teaching
Credential Program
If you plan to pursue a teaching
career, you should discuss your plans as soon as possible
with the credential adviser in the Graduate School of Education,
which maintains various advising programs for your differing
career plans. The Graduate School of Education offers a program
of graduate studies leading to a Single Subject Teaching Credential
in English or a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a
Master of Arts in Education. Admission to the program requires
completion of the Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. |
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6.4 Letters
of Recommendation
Most programs require 3 letters
of recommendation with your application. Letters should come
from faculty, not from a TA (though a TA is sometimes asked
to assist in providing a faculty member information for a
letter). Letters of recommendation should ideally come from
faculty who are familiar with your work and who are enthusiastic
about your chances in graduate school. One way to make sure
that this is the case would be to visit professors in their
office hours on a regular basis, discuss with them your interest
in graduate school before you ask them for letters of recommendation.
Have them help you in deciding which schools would be best
for you considering your interests. Provide your letter writers
with lots of time to complete a letter-do not give them forms
a week before the application is due. Provide your letter
writers with samples of your written work from classes here,
a copy of your statement of purpose, a copy of your writing
sample, and a copy of your transcript. You will want to ask
them if they need anything else from you well in advance.
Again, meet with your letter writers early and often to ask
about their suggestions for programs, to talk about your statement
of purpose, and to generally establish a good rapport. Always
provide a stamped, addressed envelope for your letter writers,
fill in recommendation forms with your name, etc., and present
materials in an organized way. It is a good idea to remind
them of application due dates well in advance. Getting a good
letter of recommendation is a privilege, not a right. |
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6.5 GREs
You will likely need to take
both the GRE general and the GRE subject test. Each
school is different though, so make sure you know what exams
are required for each application. In some cases, schools
do not require the exams at all, though that is a rarity.
Check the GRE web site (www.gre.org) for information on dates
and scheduling. In some cases, the exam will not be offered
near you. You need to be ready to travel to take the exam.
The general test is very similar to the SAT in that it has
a verbal and a math section. In addition, the GRE also includes
a logic section. It is very useful (but costly) to take a
preparation course. If you cannot take a course, do be sure
to buy one of the preparation books and practice ahead of
time. The subject exam is now only given on the computer,
so make sure you are comfortable with that environment. The
subject test is still paper-based. It is very important
that you take the exams on time —otherwise your
scores will not be sent to the schools to which you are applying,
and your application will be void. (The general test must
be taken by October of the year you are applying; the subject
exam may vary, check with GRE on this.)
Be sure you prepare yourself
for both exams as best as possible. The subject exam is a
comprehensive exam, which covers British and American literature
(prose and poetry), as well as a significant number of questions
about literary theory. A good strategy, if you have the time,
would be to take elective courses in the major that increase
your breadth of knowledge. Realize as well that these exams
are costly; the general exam costs $99, the subject exam costs
$130. You can take each of the exams more than once. The most
recent score will be reported to schools. |
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6.6 Researching
Graduate Programs
Researching programs is one
of the best and most useful things you can do to prepare a
successful application. You want to make sure you end up at
a program that fits your interests and strengths-one at which
faculty is enthusiastic about you as a student and as a future
colleague. If a program doesn't seem interested in what you
have to offer it, you should not be interested in spending
your time and money there. Begin by asking faculty members
here about their recommendations on programs. Visit web-sites
and give yourself lots of time to look at them. Ask lots of
questions! Try to talk with faculty and current graduate students
in each program. Find out about program requirements (exams,
language requirements, teaching duties, course work). Ask
about recent graduates: What is the job placement rate? Ask
schools how many new students they admit every year. This
will give you a sense of what the faculty/student ratio is.
The lower the ratio, the better chance you have for the sort
of personal attention you will need in finishing the degree.
Does the department seem friendly? Do they sound excited about
you and your interests? Do they put you on hold a lot? Find
out about the area. Is it a place you could imagine living?
Remember that you will likely be spending a good number of
years of your life there. Find out about funding options.
Will you be expected to teach? How many years of guaranteed
funding do most incoming students get? Find out how much applying
to the program costs. Application fees range from $30-$60.
Find out about admission requirements. Some schools are very
clear about GPAs and GRE scores. Don't apply if you don't
qualify. Finally, explore the research faculty with whom you
might be interested in working. Read what they have written.
Does their work seem to fit with your interests? Again, you
want to end up at a program that will nurture you and your
individual project. Be sure there is someone there who you
might like to have as a mentor in that respect. |
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6.7 Statements
of Purpose and Writing Samples
All schools will ask for both
a statement of purpose-a one to two page explanation of your
interest in graduate school in general and your expected specialization-and
a writing sample-a 10-25 page formal essay you have written
while getting your BA. Spend lots of time on both!
The statement of purpose is one of the things in your application
that will set you off from the other applicants. You should
think hard about why you want to go to graduate school, and
why a particular program seems to be a good fit. In general,
you should avoid the "I love literature" statement. Be ready
to outline your interests as closely as you can. Explain what
you want to work on and why a particular program's faculty
is exciting to you. If possible, have current faculty members
(especially those writing your letters of recommendation)
read your statement. Begin working on it early so you can
revise! It might be worthwhile to ask a TA you trust to read
it over as well, be sure to give them plenty of time to do
this. Your writing sample should be a research paper from
a class you have taken here. It should usually be from 10-25
pages long (again, check the requirements of each individual
program, as they all differ) and should represent your best
intellectual work. If it is in the field you want to pursue,
all the better, but it need not be. Revise that writing sample
substantially! Again, the revision is best done with the help
of those faculty members writing you letters. You may want
to ask (well in advance) what sort of changes might move the
paper towards graduate level and work on those revisions for
your applications.
Finally, you should be extremely
organized. You might want to plan a 6-12 month schedule for
this process. Also, be aware that each program has different
requirements and different due dates for applications. Be
sure you are aware of the nuances and are prepared to present
your best application.
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7. Regulations
and Procedures
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7.1 Declaring
the Major
To declare as an English major
you must have at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average in your overall
academic record, in your overall English major record (preparation
and upper division), and in your upper division major record.
Pick up a petition to change
or declare a major from the Staff
Adviser in the English office, or from the College of
Letters and Science, 1117 Cheadle Hall (hereafter L&S). Fill
out the petition and bring it to the Academic
program adviser who will help you with program planning
and, if you have transferred from another institution, with
petitioning to have any eligible classes applied towards the
requirements for the English major. Also bring an unofficial
transcript available from the Registrar's Office and a copy
of your New Student Profile (prepared by the Admissions Office
when you entered UCSB). If you no longer have a copy you may
get one from the Registrar's office if you are undeclared,
or if switching majors, from your other department.
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7.2 Overall
Degree Requirements
You need to know about the
General Education, General University, and unit requirements,
as well as the major requirements. Study the General
Catalog and the bulletins available from L&S about these
requirements. Students who need telephone assistance with
any academic matter may call the Academic Advising Hotline
at 893-2038. Students who wish to meet with an adviser may
call 893-3201 for an appointment. A one-time junior progress
check is available upon request from L&S, as is a one-time
senior progress check from the Registrar. These progress checks
touch on all requirements except English major requirements.
Some of your English classes
may also satisfy General Education or American History and
Institutions requirements, but you must check with L&S to
find out how the two sets of requirements will interact.
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7.3 Residence
Requirements
You must complete at least
3 terms in the University of California; 35 of your final
45 units in resident UCSB courses; 27 UD units in resident
UCSB courses; 20 UD units in your major in resident UCSB courses.
Courses taken in the university's Education Abroad Program
do not apply toward the residence requirement. See the General
Catalog and the L&S Guide to Undergraduate Studies for
further information.
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7.4 Format
of English Courses
The English Department offers
classes in three formats: large lectures with small discussion
sections, classes limited to 35 students, and the Upper Division
Seminar, limited to an enrollment of 15. Creative Writing
classes have further limitations.
Enrollment in most classes
is limited to 35 students, and priority is usually given to
English majors. Some courses, including required ones, will
be given in large lectures, with required discussion sections
taught by teaching assistants. These large lecture classes
are also open to students fulfilling General Education requirements.
Because this same course may be offered only once more per
academic year in a smaller class limited to 35 students, you
should insofar as possible take required courses in large
lecture sections.
The maximum number for enrollment
in each class is a limit set by the department for instructional
reasons. The maximum number for large lectures is set by also
taking into consideration the room capacity (established by
the Fire Marshall) and the number of teaching assistants available.
An instructor is not allowed to enroll more students than
the set maximum number.
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7.5 Enrollment
Procedures
During Registration By Telephone
(RBT), most classes will be open strictly to English and related
majors during the first pass and on a space-available basis
to other majors during passes two and three.
Once you are enrolled in a
class, do not assume that attendance at only the first roll
call will be sufficient to hold your place. You may be dropped
from the course for missing two consecutive meetings. Ask
your instructor for individual policies on attendance.
If you have enrolled in a large
lecture class with discussion sections, you must attend the
first two sections, even when the first section falls before
the first scheduled lecture. Failure to attend both sections
may result in your being dropped from the class.
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7.6 Adding/Dropping
a Class at Enrollment and Later
You may also try to enroll
by attending the first meeting of the class and speaking with
the instructor. If your enrollment is approved you will be
given a course approval code to be used through the RBT system.
These course approval codes are available only from the instructor.
Students must do their share
in improving the enrollment process. The faculty needs to
know the first day of class just how many spaces are available.
Student courtesies on which the success of enrollment depends:
- If the instructor gives
you a course approval code, add the course to your schedule
immediately. The faculty will know all the more quickly
how many students they may add (and so will students on
waiting lists).
- If you do not intend to
take a course you received in registration, drop the course
immediately at the Registrar's Office or through RBT (Registration
by Telephone). Do not keep those who want the class from
enrolling. (Once you have been enrolled in a class, you
are accountable for completing the course work; it is your
responsibility, not the faculty's, to see that your official
records are accurate.)
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7.7 Grading
Options
All courses required for the
major must be taken for a letter grade. There is one exception:
the P/NP grading option is allowed through the next to the
last quarter of foreign language study. The last quarter must
be taken for a letter grade (quarter 5 with option 1 and quarter
3 with option 2).
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7.8 Grade Point
Average Requirement
At the time of graduation,
you must have a 2.0 GPA in the University of California in
each of the following categories: a) All courses attempted;
b) All courses required or acceptable for your major (Prep.
for major + UD major); and c) All upper division courses required
or acceptable for your upper division major. (Note:
UC Extension courses are excluded from these computations.)
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7.9 Auditing
English Courses
For unusual reasons, it may
be desirable to audit a class, that is, to sit in on lectures
without enrolling officially. This arrangement can be made
only with permission of the instructor before the quarter
begins. Because enrollment space is limited, permission to
audit will be given only in unusual circumstances.
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7.10 Double
Major
If you have declared a double
major, you may be allowed to apply simultaneously to both
majors a total of eight units of upper division elective credit.
You must have approval from each department by petition. See
the Academic program adviser
for guidance in determining which classes might be used for
this allowance.
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7.11 Undergraduate
Enrollment in a Graduate Course
In special cases it may be
possible to enroll in an English Department graduate course.
You must have the following in order to enroll: an overall
"B" Grade Point Average, and the appropriate background for
the course.
If you are encouraged to enroll,
consult with the instructor. If the instructor will permit
you to take the class, you will need two petitions. The Petition
for an Undergraduate to Enroll in a Graduate Course is available
from the Registrar's Office. It is your responsibility to
obtain the required signatures before the quarter begins (Instructor,
Chair of English Department, Dean of Graduate Division). Once
you have all the required signatures, return the petition
to the Registrar's Office. You will also need a petition,
available from the Academic program
adviser, for the graduate course to count as an upper
division elective in the major.
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7.12 Incomplete
Grades
Students are expected to finish
the course work according to the deadlines set by the instructor.
If for any reason you believe that you will not be able to
finish the course requirements on time, consult with the instructor
as quickly as possible. With the instructor's permission (which
will be granted only in unusual circumstances) you may file
for an incomplete grade for the course. This option should
be used only in the event of illness or serious problem.
If you must take an incomplete,
get an Undergraduate Petition for an Incomplete Grade from
the Registrar's Office. Ask your instructor to sign it; you
must return the form to the Registrar's Office by the last
day of the quarter. With your instructor you will determine
a new due date for the completion of any unfinished work;
this deadline may not be later than the end of the following
quarter. If work has not been completed by this time, the
incomplete grade automatically becomes "F." An extension to
this deadline may be granted with the permission of your instructor
and the department chair. See the undergraduate advisor for
the appropriate form.
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7.13 University
Extension
Courses or Courses at other
Colleges Before you enroll in any courses offered by other
Colleges or programs, you should see the Academic
program adviser to file a petition to accept the course
for the English major. If approved, the petition will then
be forwarded to L&S for final approval. You must take the
class for a letter grade.
In unusual circumstances, you
may need to take a course through University Extension, or
"Concurrent Enrollment." This is a different enrollment procedure,
but you will be attending class and doing the work just as
you would in regular enrollment. The University Extension
office has brochures describing these procedures.
You should see the Academic
program adviser to file a petition before taking a class
through Extension. If the class is approved through the petition,
credit will be given towards satisfying the major requirements.
The class must be taken for a letter grade, which will not,
however, be entered into the GPA. Courses taken through Extension
will not count towards the residence requirement of 20 upper
division units in the major, nor will they be a part of the
UC GPA.
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7.14 Applying
Classes Taken at Other Institutions to the Major Requirements
If you have transferred to
UCSB from another institution, you may be able to apply some
of the classes already taken to the major requirements. You
must sometimes petition for credit, even if UCSB has an articulation
agreement with your former institution. Additionally, if you
decide to take classes for the major through a program outside
of the English Department after having been admitted to the
department, it is your responsibility to be sure that the
other program will successfully interact with the English
major. See a department adviser before you enroll in any other
programs.
As soon as you become an English
major, or when you are seriously considering declaring, you
should see a department adviser bringing with you your New
Student Profile sheet (prepared by Admissions upon your transfer
to UCSB) and course descriptions from the official college
catalogs for any class you wish to have considered as applying
towards your major requirements.
You will then fill out a Petition
for Degree Requirements for any transfer classes that could
be counted towards the major.
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7.15 Foreign
Study
Studying abroad can be a valuable
academic experience, while still allowing you to make progress
towards your degree from UCSB. Programs most frequently used
are Education Abroad
Program (EAP) and American Institute for Foreign Study
(AIFS). Other programs for foreign study may also be acceptable.
EAP is an overseas study program in cooperation with more
than 80 host universities and colleges in countries throughout
the world. Participating students remain registered at UCSB
while studying abroad. Full?year as well as short?term and
special focus programs are available through EAP.
Inquire carefully into any
program before enrolling. Make sure you understand the admission
requirements and the arrangements for study. You may wish
to ask for the names and phone numbers of several students
who have recently completed foreign study who would discuss
the program with you.
The most important part of
foreign study is your intellectual growth. Choose a host country
where you will find a course of studies in the major with
an established faculty and library. In many non-English speaking
countries it will be difficult to study your major subject
and thus progress towards the degree. We do not accept British
and American literature read in Spanish, French, Italian,
etc., for the major however, we can accept up to 8.0 units
of foreign literature in english translation, or in the original
language, toward the upper division elective requirement.
Most English majors reasonably apply for study in the United
Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
If you plan to study abroad,
consult first with the foreign study office of the programs
you are considering; ask for forms, instruction on application
procedures, and the date applications are due. (NOTE: EAP
applications for UK/I are due early: usually the first week
of November for UCSB students.)
Well in advance of the application
date see the Academic program advisor or the Faculty EAP advisor
for guidance on how to plan an integrated program of study
at your host institution. Bring course descriptions from the
host school; look for courses that will be consistent with
the academic standards and requirements in the English major.
The principal criterion is that courses are acceptable as
substitutes for the Department's required courses only if
they cover essentially the same readings. With electives,
there is more flexibility in subject matter. The Upper Division
Seminar is to be taken within the Department.
When you return, bring copies
of the course description and syllabus of each course you
studied. See a department advisor to petition for eligible
classes to be applied to the major. EAP students must use
the official EAP petition form.
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7.16 Theater
in England
After successful completion
of the "Theater in England" summer program, six units of credit
can be issued through University of California Extension as
upper division English. You must file a petition, available
from the Undergraduate Staff Advisor, for the English units
to apply to your major as electives. These units are not accepted
in substitution for the required Shakespeare course in the
major.
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7.17 Graduating
from the English Department
It is your responsibility to
review your academic record regularly to determine that you
are making satisfactory progress toward graduation.
You need never be in doubt
about the requirements still to be met in your program. The
Undergraduate Staff Adviser will
evaluate your progress toward completion of your major requirements
during any point in your academic stay. It is especially recommended
that you request a progress check early in your senior year.
When you have completed 84
or more units you may ask for a progress evaluation from L&S
and, with 135 or more units, from the Registrar. Each office
will honor only one such request. These evaluations touch
on all requirements except those in the major.
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7.18 Academic
Misconduct
A professional attitude towards
your work in English of course includes avoidance of "academic
dishonesty": plagiarism and cheating. These dishonest practices
lower the educational standards for everyone, and carry severe
penalties, including suspension or dismissal from the University.
Commitment to academic integrity
is an important part of your dedication in the major. The
UCSB Campus Regulations state University policy:
| It is expected that students attending the University
of California understand and subscribe to the ideal of
academic integrity, and are willing to bear individual
responsibility for their work. Any work (written or otherwise)
submitted to fulfill an academic requirement must represent
a student's original work. Any act of academic dishonesty
such as cheating or plagiarism will subject a person to
University disciplinary action. |
Using or attempting to use
materials, information, study aids, or commercial "research"
services not authorized by the instructor of the course constitutes
cheating. Representing the words, ideas, or concepts of another
person without appropriate attribution is plagiarism. Whenever
another person's written work is utilized, whether it is a
single phrase or longer, quotation marks must be used and
sources cited. Paraphrasing another's work, i.e., borrowing
the ideas or concepts and putting them into one's "own" words,
must also be acknowledged. Although a person's state of mind
and intention will be considered in determining the university
response to an act of academic dishonesty, this in no way
lessens the responsibility of the student.
If you are unsure about how
to give correct references and footnotes for material gathered
from sources other than your own thought, ask your instructor
or section leader.
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7.19 Procedures
for Policies and Complaints
If you have a particular problem
or complaint about some aspect of your experience in the English
major, see the undergraduate staff
adviser or the academic program
adviser. If your problem is in a particular class, you
may wish to start by talking with your instructor or your
teaching assistant. After speaking with these members of the
department, you can also discuss this problem further with
the chair of the undergraduate committee.
The University of California
has called for an active policy of education and complaint
resolution to ensure an atmosphere free from all forms of
harassment, exploitation, and intimidation on the basis of
age, race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and physical
handicap. Sexual harassment is an illegal form of discrimination
and a violation of professional ethics. UCSB has defined sexual
harassment as unwanted sexual attention in a situation of
unequal power, and has adopted a specific policy and grievance
procedure to provide for the hearing of complaints and the
resolution of grievances. The Academic program adviser has
further information on these policies.
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8. Library
Resources
Knowing how to use the resources
of the library is an important part of a successful undergraduate
program. As early as possible, learn how to find and use books,
periodicals, and reference materials.
The library offers many special
services, almost all of which are free:
- Library Tours: At the beginning of each quarter,
short library tours are given by reference librarians. This
is an excellent way to quickly familiarize yourself with
the main services of the library.
- Reference Desk: On the second floor just beyond
the main stairs is the Reference Desk, almost always staffed
by reference librarians who will help you with any question
about your use of the library. They can direct you to special
reference books or to sections of the library that will
be especially helpful to you.
- Melvyl Demonstrations: Short introductions to Melvyl,
the on-line computer catalog, are given throughout the school
year. In addition, you can ask a reference librarian for
help at any time.
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8.1 Classes
in Library Skills
Taught by librarians, these classes, which can be taken only
P/NP, will quickly teach you how to be a sophisticated user
of library resources.
- Interdisciplinary Studies 1: Library Skills. This
course is designed to assist entering students in learning
to use essential facilities and resources of the library.
The course is self?paced and does not meet regularly.
- Interdisciplinary Studies 100: Library Research Bibliography
I. The goal of this course is to develop a high level
of library competence. A critically annotated and extensive
bibliography is a central course requirement. The course
is recommended for students concurrently registered in any
course that has a research project requirement, such as
English 197: Upper Division Seminar. It is also strongly
recommended for anyone considering graduate studies.
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9. English
Department Awards and Contests
| The English Department offers
several kinds of awards to deserving students. Specific requirements
may apply; see the Undergraduate Staff Advisor for further details
on each award. |
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9.1 William
Frost Award
This award, which carries a
substantial stipend, is given each year to one senior or upper
division English major who has demonstrated achievement and
academic promise. The recipient will be chosen on the basis
of both an outstanding paper and a strong academic record.
The Department annually announces the requirements and date
when applications and papers are to be received for judging,
usually early spring quarter.
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9.2 Outstanding
Achievement as an English Major
A small number of graduating
seniors are selected each year for excellence in scholarship
and service to the Department.
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9.3 Distinction
in the Major
Given only to students who
have successfully completed the English Department Honors
Program. (See section 5.1
above.)
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9.4 Kieth E.
Vineyard Honorary Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded
annually during spring quarter to an undergraduate in recognition
of outstanding skills in creative writing. Entry dates are
announced during the winter quarter.
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9.5 Other Awards
and Contests
The department sponsors several
awards and contests some, which recognize excellence in creative
writing, both poetry and fiction, and others that honor academic
excellence in combination with financial need. Entry dates
are announced throughout the year.
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10. English
Department Listserv and Web Page
English majors and minors are
encouraged to subscribe to the department e-mail listserve
to receive up-to-date information about the English major
and other opportunities. As a member of the listserve you
will automatically receive e-mail messages about scholarships,
research opportunities, writing contests, internships, lectures,
registration deadlines, scheduling changes, and more. To sign
up, follow these steps:
- From your e-mail account, address a message to listserv@ucsbvm.ucsb.edu
- Leave the subject line blank
- In the message area, type: SUBSCRIBE SBENGL-L
- Send the e-mail message
You will receive a welcome message
that you should save since it will contain information on how
to remove yourself from the list. You may access a copy of this
handbook, and much more on the English department webpage located
on the internet at http://www.english.ucsb.edu |
11. Administration
of the Undergraduate Program
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11.1 The Chair
of the English Department
The chair is responsible for
overseeing both undergraduate and graduate education in English
at UCSB.
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11.2 The Chair
of the Undergraduate Committee
The undergraduate chair is
responsible for overseeing the undergraduate program and for
steering the undergraduate committee.
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11.3
The Undergraduate Committee
The chair of the undergraduate
committee meets on a regular basis with appointed faculty
members to discuss and administer the undergraduate program.
The chair and the committee review the recommendations made
by the academic program adviser
and the staff adviser, and supervise
student honors projects. Decisions concerning curriculum and
general policies are taken to the chair of the department
and the faculty for final approval.
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11.4
The Undergraduate Academic Program Adviser
The academic program adviser
has the principal function of helping you make informed choices
as you progress in your major. The academic program adviser
answers your questions about requirements for the English
major, and especially specific questions concerning content
of English courses. Petitions on major requirements may be
submitted to the academic program adviser, with whom you should
consult about changes or substitutions in meeting major requirements.
See this adviser also about the appropriateness of foreign
study, about careers after graduation, and about applying
to graduate school.
The academic program adviser
serves on the undergraduate committee
and is the English Club adviser. You will find the adviser's
name and office number posted on department bulletin boards,
and you can leave a message for the adviser in the English
Department mailroom.
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11.5
The Undergraduate Staff Adviser
The undergraduate staff adviser
works in tandem with the academic
program adviser. This adviser answers questions of undergraduates
regarding major requirements and registration, oversees the
application process for independent studies and honors program,
accepts petitions for substitution for major requirements,
maintains student records, and performs progress checks in
the major. The staff advisor meets with new freshmen and transfer
students to orient them to department services and their major
requirements. You can see this adviser to talk about the graduate
school application process and about careers for English majors.
The staff adviser consults
with the faculty undergraduate chair and the undergraduate
committee concerning all areas of the undergraduate program.
This adviser holds daily walk-in advising hours, which you
can find, posted on the department bulletin boards.
If you are unsure which adviser
to see, consult the English department receptionist or call
the main office.
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12. Campus
Services
| UCSB offers a number of useful
and often free services. Some of the most frequently consulted
are: |
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12.1 Counseling
and Career Services
Located in Building 599, this
center offers a range of programs and services designed to
help you achieve your personal, social, academic and career
goals. These confidential services, provided by professionals
or (when appropriate) by peers, are free to all registered
students.
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12.2 CLAS
Campus Learning Assistance
Services (CLAS) offers free tutoring in composition and foreign
languages to UCSB undergraduates. Sign up for an appointment
at Building 300, located adjacent to South Hall. CLAS also
offers general workshops on such subjects as time management,
essay exam preparation, note taking, etc. A schedule is available
in the CLAS office.
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12.3 Net Stations
Net Stations are computer stations
located across campus, which allow students to perform a variety
of tasks, and to access information, from the campus computing
network and GOLD (Gaucho On-line Data system). You can activate
your own e-mail account assigned to every undergraduate student,
send and receive e-mail messages, use library services like
Pegasus, view a schedule of campus events and access your
own student record including your course schedule, grades,
billing information, and personal address. Students can also
access an on-line current Schedule of Classes as well as the
General Catalog.
Among other places, you can find net stations at the Bookstore,
the library, the MCL, at CLAS and at the UCEN information
desk.
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13. Useful
Phone Numbers for the English Major Student
All numbers are area code 805:
- English Department, 893-3441
- CLAS, 893-4248 (web
page)
- College of Letters & Science
(web
page)
- Undergraduate Curriculum
Matters, 893-2038
- Appointments with
Advisers, 893-3201
- Actions on Petitions,
893-3889
- Counseling & Career Services,
893-4411 (web
page)
- Education Abroad Program,
893-3763 (web
page)
- Extension, 893-4200 (web
page)
- Graduate Division, 893-2277
(web
page)
- Graduate School of Education,
893-2137 (web
page)
- Office of Teacher
Education, 893-2084
- Instructional Computing
(formerly the Microcomputers Laboratory) 893-3002 (web
page)
- Registrar Registration,
893-3592
- RBT (Registration
by Telephone), 968-1166
- Transcript Services,
893-3135
- Language Labs, 893-3963
(web
page)
- Library, 893-2478 (web
page)
- Lost & Found, 893-3843
- UCEN Bookstore, 893-3271
(web
page)
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