Redefining the English Major: adding strength to strength

Harvard served as a model for English Departments in the past and, with its 2008–2009 changes, it seems to take the mantle in providing yet another model. However, I propose a much more radical approach to creating an undergraduate ‘English’ curriculum that does more than push the boundaries of traditional study of English literatures. I propose a complete redefinition of the English Major. Those who are currently ‘English’ Majors seem to be increasingly less concerned with studying a national literary tradition, but seek a world literary tradition. My proposal, thus, changes the name of the department and the major to Department of Literature and Language. Harvard’s new model is a start, but it still centres the study of literature and language on one literature and one language, English, and, thus, continues to offer a half solution.