Department of English

The 50-Book Exam requires students to demonstrate knowledge of a group of texts that is diverse in terms of historical period; generic and formal categories; national and geographic origin; and racial, gendered, and sexual identifications. Students work with a committee of three faculty members to create a list of 50 works, at least 30 of which should be from outside the student’s designated area of specialization. As this is a generalist exam aimed at building broad coverage of well-known literary, theoretical, and cinematic works, at least 35 of the 50 works on the list must come from the department’s 50-Book List.

Congratulations to this year's six examinees—Gabby Avena, Lucie Heron, Zoë Hopkins, Diana Kobetic, Ryan Mangione-Smith, and Julia Rojo de Castro—on this wonderful achievement!