The activities are funded by a gift from the class of 1960, hence the name. Students in the seminar meet about four times each term with members of the department, or with visiting scholars and writers, to discuss important trends in literary studies, to assess the assumptions underlying literary study as a discipline, or to consider the work of a particular writer or scholar. In advance of seminar meetings, members usually read an article or two. All members of the Class of 1960s Scholars are expected to participate in all seminar meetings during their senior year.
Students apply by expressing their interest at the end of their junior year.
The English Department sends a letter of explanation combined with application information to all English majors in the spring of their junior year. Professor Karen Swann is the 2001 seminar director.