English majors read, discuss, and write about literature, film, and the law from a variety of perspectives. In doing so, they learn to engage large amounts of information from different sources, to analyze that information, and then to communicate their views to others in compelling ways. In John Jay's unique English curriculum, students acquire a comprehensive foundation in literary study, and then choose either an optional concentration in Literature and the Law or pursue the field of Literature in greater depth. The major prepares students for a variety of careers and graduate work in law, public policy, business, education, mental health counseling, law enforcement, marketing, and communications.
Major Requirements
- 2022-2023 Undergraduate Bulletin - ENG
- 2021-2022 Undergraduate Bulletin - ENG
- 2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin - ENG
- 2012-2013 Undergraduate Bulletin - ENG (PDF)
Important information about major requirements!
For Historical Perspectives
There are courses that can substitute for some of the requirements listed in the Bulletin. Students may choose the fIollowing elective courses as alternatives to satisfy PART THREE-Historical Perspectives: For LIT 371 take LIT 319; for LIT 372 take LIT 313 or LIT 314; for LIT 375 take LIT 344 or LIT 357 or LIT 383. Please note that courses cannot count in more than one area of the major.
For students who want a Literature & Law concentration
Students with a concentration in Literature & Law should choose their major electives from this list: ENG 250, ENG 328/ANT 328, ENG 350, ISP 321, ISP 322, LIT 219, LIT 311, LIT 314, LIT 315, LIT 319, LIT 323, LIT 342, LIT 348, LLS 363. Check the current schedule for availability.
Students in this concentration should also choose LIT 405 rather than LIT 400 as their capstone course.
English Courses That Meet General Education Requirements
Each of the following English courses can count toward your major requirements and toward your General Education requirements:
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World Cultures |
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U.S. Experience |
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Creative Expression |
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Individual and Society |
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Scientific World |
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300 Level Justice |
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Learning from the Past |
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Communications |
Major Advising in Fall/Spring
Students who need English major advising during Fall 2023 can contact Professor John Staines (jstaines@jjay.cuny.edu).
Major Advising in Summer/Winter
Summer session 2023: Students who need English major advising can contact either Professor John Staines (jstaines@jjay.cuny.edu) or Professor Jean Mills (jemills@jjay.cuny.edu).
Registration and Major Holds
All sophomores who have a declared English major and who have earned between 45-59 credits will have a hold placed on their registration record so that they can be advised by a professor in the English Major before enrolling in future courses. Students must see an advisor in the major in order to have the registration hold removed. This is an important time for students to be sure they are on the right track and to learn about special opportunities in the major.
In the month before Registration begins, the English Major Advisor will send emails to those students with registration holds, inviting them to sign up for 30-minute appointments with any one of the available professors. Advising of students with holds will continue until the beginning of the next semester, but we strongly urge students to meet with an English professor in the weeks leading up to Registration to ensure enrollment in required courses.
How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:
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Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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Click on “Advisement Required.”
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See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
Avoid Course Planning Mistakes!
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While taking these required core courses, we advise you to take one Historical Topics course and one LIT or ENG major elective per semester.
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To get the most out of the experience, and to be successful, students should not take more than three literature courses per semester.
- Remember that you will need at least a 2.0 GPA in the major and at least a 2.0 overall GPA to graduate.
Monitor Your Progress in the Major (Major Checklist, Sample 4 yr Plan)
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DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed. Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool. Note: be sure to confirm the accuracy of your degree audit with a general advisor and major advisor.
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Fill out the English Major Checklist for students who declared before fall 2017 or the English Major Checklist for students who declared fall 2017 or later to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.
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Sample Four Year Plan - See an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.
Meet with a General Academic Advisor
Advice From English Alumni
For helpful tips on making the most of the English major at John Jay, take a look at Advice from John Jay English Alumni.
See A Brief Guide to Better Writing for English Professor Livia Katz's tips on writing brilliant essays!
