In addition to critical writing, each student will practice writing poems in an effort to better understand the creation and artistic nature of poetry. A study of a major author or of two authors in comparison. Recent choices include Yeats and Women, Faulkner and Morrison, Vonnegut and O'Connor. Representative plays studied in light of theatrical conventions, dramatic structure and elements of Shakespearean tragedy, comedy, history and romance. The course will often include a studio production of one abridged play.
English majors propose independent projects in research, field experience or creative writing.