English Dept. Considers New '10c' Offering

English concentrators may be a bit surprised when they crack open their brand new 1995-96 course catalogs next fall.

The English department is currently considering creating a class called English 10c, which would join English 10a and 10b as a concentration requirement.

The course would cover roughly the same material as English 70, "American Literature from the Beginning to the 20th Century," a full year survey of the major works in American literature.

English 70 is not required for English concentrators.

There is no indication of whether or not the new requirement will affect those already in the concentration.

The addition of English 10c was suggested by the department's undergraduate steering committee last spring, according to department chair Leo Damroach.

But the absence of several American literature professors on sabbatical made further consideration of the class impossible until this spring.

Damroach, who is also professor of English and American literature, said the department did not simply decide to require English 70 because some faculty in the department felt "a two-semester required class was too long."

Damroach said some professors also felt that requiring English 70 would unduly restrict students' options.

"The concentration ought to have freedom in it," he said.

Dean for Undergraduate Education Lawrence Buell, who is also an English department professor, said he did not know how the creation of 10c might affect the existence of English 70.

English concentrator Stephanie N. Snyder '96 isn't particularly dismayed by the thought of a new requirement.

"I don't think it would be bad because I've found that there's an enormous amount of latitude in the concentration," Snyder said. "I don't think this would eliminate much of that choice."

Cabot Professor of English and American Literature Alan Heimert, who teaches English 70, said he doesn't support the 10c idea.

"I guess I've never liked the idea of a course that's required," he said.