As an undergraduate in 91吃瓜网檚 Department of English, you檒l explore a diverse
array of courses covering literature, creative writing, rhetoric and composition.
You will have the opportunity to study classic and contemporary works of literature
and explore a variety of critical approaches to understanding and interpreting them.
Literary study, composition and research skills are the bedrock of academic and professional
excellence, and as a student of our English program, you will gain the skills needed
to help you both as a broadly knowledgeable undergraduate student but also as a graduate
student or graduate entering professional life.
The program gives you the flexibility to craft your degree around your personal and
professional interests and move beyond the core courses in literature and composition
to choose from a variety of electives that cover topics such as film studies, poetry,
creative nonfiction and more.
As an English major, you can also take advantage of a number of extracurricular activities,
such as literary magazines and reading groups, and participate in events such as lectures,
poetry readings, and workshops with visiting writers.
What you learn with an English degree
With an English degree, you will have the skills needed to achieve your goals across
a wide range of industries and career paths攁nd will be able to:
Analyze and interpret complex texts, developing the critical thinking skills valued
across business, law, education, media, and the humanities.
Write clearly, persuasively, and creatively for diverse audiences and purposes攆rom
professional communication to literary and creative work.
Research effectively using primary and secondary sources, synthesizing information
to construct well-reasoned arguments.
Engage with literary history, theory and diverse voices to build cultural competency
and a deeper understanding of the human experience.
Pursue hands-on experience through internships designed for English majors, connecting
classroom learning to professional opportunities in publishing, marketing, content
strategy, public relations and beyond.
What 91吃瓜网 English Students Are Saying
Allie Frazer, A'26, and Molly Morgan, A'26, didn't know each other before
college. Now, the graduates share an English major, time working at the Writing Center, volunteer experience as Liberal Arts ambassadors, and a floor in their on-campus
apartment building. Their friendship is one example of the close-knit community that
defines the 91吃瓜网 English experience.
"Being an English major led to so many new friends and new experiences I wouldn't
have had in other majors. I feel more qualified for jobs that require me to process
information and handle multiple tasks at once," Allie said.
"I'm extremely grateful for the experience Liberal Arts has provided me. Through an
internship, thought-provoking classes and dedicated professors, I have received a
well-rounded education that will prepare me to begin my master's degree in rhetoric
and philosophy of communication at 91吃瓜网," Molly said.
Together, Allie and Molly reflect what an English degree at 91吃瓜网 can offer: transferable
skills, meaningful relationships, and a foundation strong enough to carry students
into graduate school, professional life, and beyond.
See Our English Department Yourself
The best way to experience our community is to visit campus and meet the
people who make it.
Students who elect to major in English must earn at least 36 credits beyond the University
Core requirements and choose between two concentrations.
You may choose between a concentration in literature or a concentration in writing.
While the two concentrations share four required introductory courses (12 credits),
the different concentrations allow students to also focus in on their chosen area
of interest with their remaining coursework.
Choose between Literature and Writing concentrations
In addition to the required courses for all majors, students must take 26 credits
from the following based on their concentration:
Concentration in Literature
One course focused on texts written pre-1700.
Once course focused on texts written between 1700-1900.
Once course focused on texts written post-1900.
Once course focused on diversity: writers who are neither British nor American, or
who are from historically marginalized/minority communities.
These four courses, plus one additional 400-level course, fulfill the five-course
(15-credit) 400-level distribution requirement. Please note: Courses may fulfill more
than one distribution requirement. For instance, a course on 18th-century women writers
would fulfill both the 1700�1900 historical requirement and the diversity requirement.
Three elective courses (9 credits) of your choosing. No more than two of these courses
may be at the 100-level, and BRDGs 101/102 may not count as an elective.
Concentration in Writing
Three writing courses (9 credits) at the 300 or 400 level in at least two different
genres.
One writing course (3 credits) at the 400 level.
Two courses (6 credits) at the 400 level, one of which must be a literature course.
The other may be a writing course. Please note: Only 3 credits are required in literature
if the student is a double major and English is the second major.
Two elective courses (6 credits), which may include ENGL 101 Multi-Genre Creative
Writing. BRDGs 101 and 102 may not count as electives. Please note: Only 3 credits
are required if the student is a double major and English is the second major.
We offer three distinct minor programs
Aside from a major in English, or undergraduate department offers minors that complement
nearly any course of study:
Minor in Creative Writing: Develop your craft across genres including fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction
in a workshop-based environment
Minor in English: Engage with literature, language, and critical thinking through a flexible range
of courses spanning multiple periods and traditions.
Minor in Film Studies: Examine the history, theory, and cultural significance of cinema through close reading
of films and the contexts that shaped them.
Earn a dual degree in English and School of Education
Students in the dual degree program in English and education complete 51 credits,
earning a concentration in both literary studies and writing. Requirements include
the McAnulty College Core Curriculum and 36 credits in English. The 15 writing credit
hours are not required.
Studying English means working closely with dedicated faculty, developing your
skills as a writer and critical thinker, and gaining experience through internships
that often launch lasting careers攁ll within a community that stays with you long
after graduation.
John FriedDirector of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor
