The English Department aims to promote critical thinking, historical understanding, and effective communication through the study of literature and writing. Students majoring in English gain a solid foundation in the British and American literary traditions. Courses in writing and in literary and rhetorical theory enhance students' ability to analyze the writing of others, and to communicate clearly and persuasively while writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. English courses provide students with an enduring humanistic education, as well as the analytical skills and writing ability in demand throughout society. English majors go on to graduate study in English, education, law and other disciplines, and also to careers in business, journalism and government.
English majors choose from three emphases.
Students who pursue the Literature emphasis learn to analyze complex texts, and to see the world as writers or other times and cultures view it. Students who choose the emphasis in Creative Writing refine their own writing in courses on poetry, short fiction, nonfiction prose, and playwriting. The Writing, Rhetoric and Culture emphasis combines courses in composition and rhetorical analysis with an internship program, in which students gain experience in fields like journalism, public relations and technical writing. The English Department strongly urges its majors to obtain speaking and writing competence in a foreign language . This acknowledgment will be determined during the degree clearance process.