Study Abroad and Transfer Credit
This page contains information pertaining to both transfer students and students interested in studying abroad. If you interested in studying abroad, please continue reading. If you are a transfer student looking for information, click here to jump further down the page. Finally, if you are in search of information regarding the Shakespeare in London Program, click here.
Study Abroad
The Department of English understands and endorses the desire of some of its majors to study abroad, and believes that such study can expand their appreciation of their discipline, and of the values, attitudes and assumptions which inform it. It allows certain courses taken abroad to substitute for departmental courses, subject to a review by a member of the department's Study Abroad Committee. As a general rule, the department allows two courses per semester, to a maximum of four for students studying abroad for a full academic year, to count against the major, provided that the courses are concerned with texts inscribed or translated, and also taught, in English, and taken at English, Irish or Anglo-phone colleges and universities, thus including, among others, Australian, Canadian, Indian and New Zealand institutions. The Department expects that, where this designation applies, Georgetown students will transfer second and third year courses only. Students should be aware too that in an undergraduate career the total number of courses that can be taken outside of Georgetown and counted against the major is four.
For English majors who choose to study at other universities, the department permits a total of two literature courses, inscribed in whatever language, to count against the major, provided that the courses substituted were not taught in English, or, if they were so taught, that they were on the graduate, not the undergraduate, level. This limit of two such courses applies however long the student has spent overseas. In making this ruling the department has accepted the direction of the Dean's office, which has maintained that undergraduate courses taught in English in non-Anglophone universities are usually in effect language courses, designed for those whose primary language is not English, as much as courses in whatever texts they may address.
Students should be aware too that the total number of courses that can be counted against the major is four. Thus, if a student has (with the Dean's permission) transferred one or more courses from another institution, whether when the student transferred from that institution or as a result of courses taken otherwise, for example in summer school or when the student was on leave from Georgetown, that number will be deducted from the four allowed for overseas study. Students are also directed to preserve, and bring back with them, the syllabus employed in any course they wish to count against the major, and any papers they may have written in such courses, in order to assist in the department's evaluation. Students should also be aware that Gateway courses can only very rarely be substituted by courses taken overseas, and that such courses should normally be taken at Georgetown.
Transfer credits from foreign institutions, including those attended through study abroad programs, are evaluated by our study abroad advisors. Continue reading for more information on transferring credits earned outside Georgetown University.
English professors who can approve study abroad proposals and evaluate transfer credits from foreign institutions are:
John Hirsh
Wayne Knoll
Michael Collins
If you are going abroad and are interested in applying to the the Honors Program or the AB/MA Program, visit these websites before you leave (and if possible, while you are abroad) so that you are aware of the deadlines and application procedures for these programs.
Transfer Students
During the August orientation, new transfer students meet with departmental advisers. At that time and in subsequent meetings, students have the opportunity to discuss their individual programs.
Transfer students will need to arrange with their Deans' office in order to have English courses from other institutions counted towards their General Education Requirements in English.
In order to have English courses from other institutions count towards the English Major or Minor, the student must have these courses approved by the English Department.
Transfer credits from other institutions in the United States are evaluated by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Patrick O'Malley. Students should meet with Professor So and bring all relevant course materials (including course descriptions and syllabi) so that the director can determine whether a given course is comparable in subject matter and work load to courses offered at Georgetown. Click here to schedule a meeting with Professor O'Malley, or e-mail him at pro@georgetown.edu.
Shakespeare in Performance Program
London and Stratford-upon-Avon | June 26 - July 10, 2011
Offered by the GU Department of English and the Office of International Programs
Spend two weeks with the Bard in London and Stratford-upon-Avon! See performances at Shakespeare's Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, attend lectures by Shakespearian scholars and earn college credits along the way.
For more information, download this document: London & Stratford-upon-Avon
