First year English students at the University of Sussex are no longer being allowed to take elective courses (from September 2010).  

The elective system at Sussex allows students to take one course per term from other BAs, to enrich their studies, and this often leads to students developing and excelling in special areas of interest within English Literature.  

The School of English have decided that, due to concerns over feasibility of inter-school organisation, and some students acheiving below their average in elective results, they will no longer allow ANY students the opportunity to broaden their horizons. Interdisplinarity is a main selling point of the English BA at Sussex. Denying students the chance to develop interests in wider areas, to inform their English Literature studies, is short-sighted and academically restrictive.

The planning behind this decision is questionable. As the plans stand, 2nd year students will still be allowed to take electives, despite the fact that many 2nd year elective courses REQUIRE that students have already taken a course in that subject. This decision threatens English Literature at Sussex, but also denies students from other BAs the chance to engage with students studying literature.  

Please show your support for the interdisciplinarity of academic study at Sussex and sign this petition. Thank you!  

***************************************

P.S. Here are the two ex-student recommendations published on the official Sussex English UG prospectus page:

‘I chose to study English at Sussex because I liked the variety of options that the degree programme offered me from within the Department of English and also the interdisciplinary approach that enabled me to study complementary subjects such as art history and American studies as part of my degree.’ Emma Corbett

'The University’s innovative approach to interdisciplinary study and the English Department’s reputation for academic excellence were the key things that attracted me to Sussex. I…took advantage of the opportunities to broaden my knowledge beyond English, choosing to study a diverse range of courses from philosophy, drama, history and film studies.’ Rowan January

Assistant Editor, Publications and Branding Team, University of Sussex

They are still selling themselves on interdisciplinarity. It’s a scam!!

************************************

PPS. This petition only seems to let you sign if you leave both boxes below checked. Don't know why. Sorry if you've been having trouble!