English Literature

English and creative writing majors engage in the advanced study of literature and other storytelling media including film, theater, and podcasts. Our curriculum emphasizes diverse literatures in English — British to Hispanic, African American to Asian American, diasporic to postcolonial — across a range of historical periods. 

Develop your academic interests in at least one of four tracks: 

• Creative Writing
• Cultural Studies
• Performance Studies

Our unique partnerships provide students with opportunities to take their literature studies beyond the classroom. Examples include: 

• The Oxford study abroad program
• The Marin Shakespeare Company
• The Dickens’ Project summer colloquium
• Service-Learning opportunities

English majors culminate their studies in a self-directed capstone project in close consultation with faculty mentors, as well as a professional internship. 

Minor

The English minor offers students the chance to take electives in a variety of literary traditions and genres. With approval,  students may craft a personalized course of study which may include coursework in Honors, Humanities, or Communications, in addition to English. Learn more about our Minor Requirements on our course catalog.

We also offer a Creative Writing minor. Through the study of technique and form, as well as models from masters of the craft, you’ll gain writing skills across multiple genres under the mentorship of talented faculty.

Career Paths

Our program prepares students for civically engaged futures in our increasingly global and networked world. Majors and minors have gone on to become analysts, teachers, lawyers, writers, editors, screenwriters, marketers, community organizers, managers, politicians, CEOs, entrepreneurs, or have entered graduate school.