Undergraduate English courses at BU are small, discussion-based classes that encourage interactions between students and professors. Only a few classes per semester have more than 25 students. The English department has a tradition and culture of devoted teaching. Student ratings of our professors typically average 4.5 (out of 5), and English faculty have won 11 teaching and advising awards at BU, including three Metcalf awards.

Prospective freshman majors can choose from a variety of 100-level seminars on Shakespeare, modern and American literature, and key literary genres—poetry, drama, and fiction. Students planing to major in English may wish to enroll in EN 120 and EN 220, both literature seminars that are field-specific substitutes for WR 100 and WR 150.

The department offers creative writing and playwriting courses for undergraduates available through application with a writing sample. Students can also concentrate their studies on film and visual culture, with a variety of courses on the literary aspects of film and the relationship between literature and the visual arts.

For the most reliable, up to date course information, please see the Courses page of this website.