Bachelor [English] From Wellesley College

English consistently ranks as one of the top three majors at Wellesley. Each English major works with her advisor to design a program appropriate to her interests (and that fulfills the department's requirements) to create a coherent intellectual experience and deepen one's understanding of a particular period or genre of writing. In the process, our majors gain an understanding of the power, history, and creative potential of language, and develop critical thinking skills, clear and effective writing skills, and the ability to construct and defend an argument. Our course offerings stress the intensive study of writers and their works in literary, cultural, and historical contexts and, reflecting the intellectual interests of faculty, strike a balance between great authors of past centuries and emerging fields of study. Our creative writing courses, including screenwriting and creative nonfiction, provide the opportunity for students to develop their own creative work and a diversity of writing styles.

The English Department offers one path to honors, the completion of significant independent work culminating in a thesis. A thesis can be a memorable intellectual experience if you choose your topic well and can sustain the motivation to work on your own for the two semesters involved. If you are both eligible and interested in applying for honors in English, you should submit an application to the English Department Chair

All seniors who wish to write a thesis apply for English 360 (Senior Thesis Research) to be taken in the fall semester. The second semester is registered as 370 (Senior Thesis).

The decision to award honors is made after the thesis, and an oral examination, are complete, and is based on both the thesis and the examination. In addition, progress on the thesis is evaluated at a mid-year meeting in December; at this mid-year point, students are expected to have completed roughly the equivalent of a chapter of the thesis.

Normally, students planning an honors project should apply in the spring of junior year. In extenuating circumstances, honors proposals will be considered at the very beginning of the fall of senior year. Fall semester applications must be received no later than a week before the end of the add/drop period. Written notification of the outcome will follow.

Although the deadline for proposals will be the same, there will be a separate application process for creative writing theses. Creative writing proposals will be evaluated by a special committee, and will be considered only during the spring application cycle; the number of students selected will be limited. Proposals for creative writing theses should be accompanied by a writing sample not to exceed 15 pages. If you would like additional information on the creative writing thesis process, please contact Marilyn Sides, Creative Writing Director.

If your proposal is accepted, your name will be included on an official list of students doing honors work that the English Department sends to the Registrar's Office at the time of registration. Students are enrolled by the Department in honors work; they do not register themselves.