Departmental Honors in English
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.]
| 
