English
Department Honors
With the English Department’s approval, an English major may earn recognition
as an outstanding student in the English 
Department by completing the additional
requirements below.
To earn departmental honors, an English major must:
1. Complete at least 45 credit hours in residence at Webster University.
2. Maintain a G.P.A. of 3.5 in English coursework completed at Webster University.
3. Complete at least 15 credit hours in English courses offered at the 3000 and 4000
levels.
4. Complete at least two semesters of a foreign language with a grade of B or higher
in each semester, or test out of that requirement.
5. Further explore cultures other than British or U.S. in one of four ways: complete
a third semester of foreign language; complete an approved course in literature in
translation; complete an approved course in world literature; or participate in study
abroad.
6. Through consultation with an English department advisor, secure the approval of
the Department to proceed with the Honors Thesis. [Note: The advisor may recommend another faculty member in the department as the thesis
advisor in order to match faculty expertise with the topic of the thesis.]
7. Complete ENGL 4900 Senior Honors Thesis by writing a thesis that meets departmental
standards for exceptional work. Students who complete ENGL 4900 will earn 1 credit
hour, for a total of 43 credit hours. [Note: Even theses that do not meet standards
for exceptional work and thus do not earn honors will earn 1 credit hour, if completed.]
a. Creative writing emphasis: original creative work by the student.
b. Literature, society, and politics emphasis: an original scholarly essay.
c. Drama: an original scholarly essay on dramatic literature or an original play.
[Note: Honors Theses are due no later than the Monday following semester break in the
final semester of study. This due date is not flexible due the need to submit the
names of honors students to Academic Affairs for the graduation program. Students
should meet with their advisors well before the final semester to propose topics and
find thesis advisors. They should leave time to turn in multiple drafts to thesis
advisors before the due date.]
Alumni Spotlight
Joshua Sigman
Class of 2005
BA in English with an Emphasis in Literature, Society, and Politics
Current Position
Working for Helen Sigman and Associates LTD
"My choice of Webster was a mixture of fate and circumstance: I had a good friend
from high school who went to Webster a year ahead of me and reported back how great
it was. After that it was just a matter of learning about what it had to offer, which
turned out to be quite good for me." (Read more...)