Many courses also consider appropriately related art, music, history, and philosophy.
Classes are limited in size to encourage group consideration of student writing and to allow for a tutorial relationship between the instructor and each student. The creative writing program is also enriched by the appearance of prominent and emerging writers such as Michael S. Harper, Mary Karr, Maxine Hong Kingston, Barry Lopez., Ellen Bryant Voight, and Tobias Wolfe. Visiting writers may offer readings, conduct classes, and confer with individual students. B.A. in English with Teaching Certification Department majors who plan to teach at the secondary school level select 39 hours of study from the department's language, literature, and nonfiction and creative writing offerings. Majors in this option also fulfill the College of Education's secondary school certification requirements, thus earning both a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Education.