English DepartmentThe English Minor requires a total of five courses, at least one of which must be a designated seminar. Only one of the five courses may be taken at an institution other than Duke. AP credits may not be used.
Requirements: 5 courses
- Five English courses above the 200-level, to include at least one seminar course
OR
Gateway Course:
- English 101S - The Art of Reading
- Four English courses at or above the 200-level, including at least one seminar course
Why Minor in English?
Personal Importance of a College Minor
Having a minor may be personally important to you if you minor in a subject that you are passionate about. You may also be personally interested in gaining skills and training in a certain field but not interested in pursuing the topic to the extent that a major would require.
Professional Importance of a College Minor
Professionally speaking, minors can be a great help. You may need additional training for a career path that a minor can provide. You may also want to improve your resume by taking courses and receiving training in a field you know employers are always interested in. You may want to complement one part of your academic training with another that will be provide both practical and theoretical knowledge. For example, you may be majoring in business management but minoring in women's studies if you want to work in a non-profit that focuses on women's issues. Additionally, you may be interested in teaching, in which case a minor can come in handy for expanding what subject areas you're allowed to teach.
Academic Importance of a College Minor
Your minor may also be important when it comes to applying to graduate school or other academic endeavors. Your minor can show that you have additional skills and interests while also showing a bit about who you are as a person. While your minor probably won't make or break your application, it can serve as an additional piece of information to make you stand out a bit from the rest of the academic crowd.