<p>Does anyone have any experience with the English Department at Bates? I’ve gone back and forth several times about what will be my major when I get to college, but I keep coming back to English. Any information would be helpful. Thanks in advance for your input!</p>
<p>I was accepted ED II, and one factor that convinced me to apply early was my meeting with the Chair of English, Cristina Malcolmson. I’m an intended English major and so wanted to speak with her about the program. To be honest, we mostly spoke about my interests in English and journalism and less about the curriculum. But according to the course catalogue, there are the standard major requirements (which are too numerous to list here), but no English Short Term unit can be counted toward the major. Some of the First-Year Seminars may count toward the major as the equivalent of 100-level courses. Students can count one course in creative writing toward the major and there is a program in creative writing that English majors may elect to pursue. Students who want to write a creative thesis as their senior thesis, which is required at Bates, must do this program. </p>
<p>In terms of course selection, it is vast and eclectic. You might also want to check out:</p>
<p>[BatesNow</a> | 4/20/2009 | Elizabeth Strout '77 awarded 2009 Pulitzer Prize for fiction](<a href=“http://www.bates.edu/x202949.xml]BatesNow”>Elizabeth Strout ’77 wins Pulitzer for fiction | News | Bates College) </p>
<p>[Bates</a> College | English](<a href=“English | Bates College”>English | Bates College) </p>
<p>I hope this helps!</p>