English and English with a Writing Emphasis Majors (BA)

Literature comes to life through the major in English, where students explore the linguistic, cultural, and personal meaning of epics, poems, novels, and plays. Through studies in literature’s diverse texts—from Shakespeare to Toni Morrison, and world literature to Western classics—students investigate the cultural significance and literary craft of many texts and contexts. This diverse canon trains students to read critically, comprehend contextually, and write analytically, as they bring their own interpretations and ideas to fascinating literature. Such scope and depth of knowledge prepares students for careers in communications, creative writing, editing, education, journalism, law, marketing/advertising, multimedia writing, public relations, radio/TV production, research, speechwriting, and a host of other fields.

English (BA)

The major in English enables students to explore classic masterpieces, traditional, contemporary, and also newly recognized works, as a diverse range of courses trains them to read critically and appreciatively and to write their own critical and creative responses to the works. The literature studied is drawn from world literatures and formerly underrepresented artists, such as women and ethnic writers, as well as from the British and United States literary traditions.

The senior experience for this major involves researching and writing an extended analysis of a literary topic. Students present a summary of this advanced work for members of the University community and invited guests toward the end of the semester at a reading that culminates and celebrates their accomplishment.

For Student Learning Outcomes and course descriptions, see the day program section for English.