BA in English Literature (.B.A)
What will you study, and why should you study at Bar-Ilan?
The BA in English Literature program provides students with a solid foundation in the history and development of English and American literature. The English Literature degree program also aiming to develop high-level skills of analysis, critical thinking, argumentation and self-expression.
Activities and Practical Experience
English degree First-year courses give students the essential tools for academic writing, research, and critical analysis of poetry and fiction, while also introducing them to the literary and intellectual backgrounds of English literature.
Our English Literature degree Second-year surveys offer a systematic introduction to different historical periods of English and American literature, as well as to the work of William Shakespeare.
In the BA in English Literature program seminars and electives focus on special topics and themes and demonstrate different approaches to the study of literature, whether classic or contemporary.
Program Structure
Students have a wide choice in BA tracks in English literature:
- Expanded major in English Literature – Except for Jewish studies, the student’s courses are all literature courses taken in the Department of English Literature and Linguistics. For more information, see the Expanded Major in English Literature page.
- Major in English Literature – The student takes a substantial number of literature courses in the English Department, and can also have a minor in another area of studies. For more information, see the Major in English Literature page.
- Double major in English literature and linguistics The student’s degree involves equal specialization in English literature and linguistics (all classes are conducted in English). We call this a "planned" double major. For more information, see our double major page.
- Double major in English literature and another field – The student’s degree involves equal specialization in English literature and in another area of studies. For more information, see our double major page.
Career Opportunities
As graduates of the BA in English Literature, you will develop strong analytical, writing, and critical-thinking skills in English, enabling you to pursue a wide range of career paths:
Teaching and instruction in English and related disciplines.
Work in media, advertising, content writing, editing, and translation.
Employment in organizations that require high-level English proficiency, strong communication skills, and analytical thinking.
Continued studies toward advanced degrees in literature, linguistics, education, and related fields
Admission Requirements
First-year students: A grade of 65 is required to pass courses 190, 193 and 194. A grade of 67 is required to pass 106 and 107.
Students who do not receive a passing grade in Academic Writing I (106) will not be allowed to continue to their second semester of studies in the program. Students who do not receive a passing grade in Academic Writing II (107) will not be allowed to continue to the second year. Under university regulations, students cannot repeat a course more than twice.
Second- and third-year students: A grade of 60 is required to pass survey courses, electives and seminars.
Contact Information
Undergraduate coordinator: Dr. Yael Shapira (shapira.yael@biu.ac.il)
Department Office 03-5318236/8
email: English.Dept@biu.ac.il
Program Courses
Four kinds of undergraduate courses are offered in the department; these can be distinguished by their course number:
| 100/200/300 | level courses | Required introductory courses for 1st/2nd year students. |
| 600 | level courses | Electives; open to 2nd- and 3rd-year students. |
| 400 | level seminars | Seminars for 3rd-year students and above. |
| 700 | level seminars | Combined seminars for advanced undergraduates and graduate students- BA students may take these during their 3rd year only. |
First-year students: A grade of 65 is required to pass courses 190, 193 and 194. A grade of 67 is required to pass 106 and 107.
Students who do not receive a passing grade in Academic Writing I (106) will not be allowed to continue to their second semester of studies in the program. Students who do not receive a passing grade in Academic Writing II (107) will not be allowed to continue to the second year. Under university regulations, students cannot repeat a course more than twice.
Second- and third-year students: A grade of 60 is required to pass survey courses, electives and seminars.
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is intellectual theft. Many people think of plagiarism as simply copying another’s work or borrowing their ideas, but plagiarism is an act of academic fraud with serious consequences. It involves both stealing someone else’s work and lying about it afterward by claiming the work as one’s own.
Plagiarism is closely related to English Literature degree and it can take many forms. Here are some of the most common:
- Cutting and pasting from the internet—or any other source—without putting the words in quotation marks and citing the source.
- Using the exact words of a source without putting the words in quotation marks, even if the source is cited.
- Imitating the sentence structure or word choice of a source, even if you cite the source.
- Using ideas from the internet—or any other source—without citing the source and clarifying exactly which ideas came from the source.
- Receiving assistance from anyone on an assignment without permission from the instructor.
- Failing to acknowledge assistance that you have received from anyone other than your instructor.
- Buying a paper or hiring someone to write a paper for you.
- Submitting work for one course that you have already submitted, or are currently submitting, for another course.
- Including in your work images or media that are not in the public domain.
All violations and suspected violations will immediately be referred to the department’s Academic Honesty Board, which will determine the appropriate response or punishment to the student. Severe cases will be referred to the university Disciplinary Committee and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the university
Last Updated Date : 07/12/2025
