English
Students majoring in English develop a strong foundation in (1) the historical development of American and British literature; (2) the major genres of literary expression—prose, poetry, and drama; (3) the principal critical-theoretical approaches to reading and writing; and (4) the practice of writing in a variety of professional and academic contexts. Students also are exposed to literature outside of the American and British traditions, as well as to other forms of expression—for example, art, philosophy, theater, music—that make up the Humanities. In addition, English majors complete a field experience by interning with a local business or organization. The field experience allows students to apply the knowledge, skills, and values that they have learned in a professional setting.
Students who complete the program earn a Bachelor of Arts in English. Students who have a particular interest in the craft of writing can tailor their curriculum to combine their Bachelor of Arts in English with a formal concentration in either Creative Writing or Professional Writing. While all English majors gain a broad grounding as mature writers in a variety of genres and professional contexts, students who choose one of these formal concentrations extend their learning to develop a thorough understanding of writing as a complex, rigorous discipline of study in its own right. All English majors, but especially those who choose a concentration in Creative or Professional Writing, benefit from one-on-one interactions with faculty who are themselves published writers of literary criticism, poetry, fiction, or multimedia. They also benefit from a number of extracurricular opportunities, such as The Write Thing Reading Series, which allows students to interact with nationally and internationally acclaimed writers in an intimate setting.
Goals
- to enrich students’ understanding of the historical development of American and British literature and of the English language
- to expose students to both canonical and non-canonical literary texts, as well as to literature in English outside of the American and British traditions
- to enhance students’ comprehension of the major genres of literary expression: prose, poetry, and drama
- to familiarize students with major critical-theoretical approaches to analyzing literary texts: as aesthetic objects, as historical registers, as social documents, as occasions for meditation or revolution
- to increase students’ abilities to read closely and to make informed critical judgments
- to develop students’ abilities to communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing
- to develop students’ awareness of cultural diversity so that they can communicate with reflection, sensitivity, and intelligence
- to prepare students for careers in teaching, writing, and other fields that require precise communication and intellectual discernment
Objectives
Upon successful completion of the requirements for the English major, students will be able to:
- identify major literary movements and authors in the American and British traditions
- explain the historical development of the English language in relationship to social, political, and cultural circumstances
- identify significant literary contributions outside of the American and British traditions and traditional literary canons
- define the major literary genres: prose, poetry, and drama
- situate and analyze literary texts in historical, intellectual, and aesthetic contexts
- communicate clearly, precisely, and persuasively in a variety of professional and academic contexts, both orally and in writing
- listen and respond sensitively and intelligently to multiple points of view
- integrate the skills and competencies fostered through the study of English in order to develop a desired career and/or pursue graduate study
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