English

Bachelor of Arts in English

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree in English prepares students to be insightful readers and innovative writers. 

• Students are introduced to literary traditions and critical methods through core courses and encouraged to pursue personal interests in the selection of a concentration and elective courses.
• English classes challenge students to develop reading, research, and writing skills that will equip them for a wide range of careers.
• The English major comprises the following concentrations:
  • The General concentration allows students to combine elective choices in creative writing, professional writing, rhetoric, historical literature, genre studies, and literary theory based on personal interest.
  • The Literature concentration emphasizes the interpretation of literary texts drawn from a variety of historical and cultural contexts. Students develop an understanding of genre conventions and different theoretical and critical methods of analysis.
  • The Professional Writing concentration offers training in professional writing and editing. Students select courses in writing, editing, and rhetoric. This concentration requires a professional experience elective fulfilled by an internship, service-learning placement, or an advanced course in editing.

This program is right for you if

• You possess strong writing and reading skills.
• You take constructive criticism and feedback well.
• You are interested in a career in communications.

This program will teach you

• Demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills in literary studies or professional writing
• Know research tools and methods appropriate for the academic study of literature, rhetoric, or writing.
• Understand and apply a variety of critical theories to the study of literature, rhetoric, or writing.
• Produce academic, creative, or professional writing with attention to appropriate genre conventions, format and citation guidelines, stylistic expectations, and grammatical rules.
• Complete a long written project with the application of appropriate critical, creative, or professional approaches; mastery of research methods and resources; and awareness of audience, rhetorical context, and discourse functions.