English B.A.

Students who major in English study literature and other forms of verbal expression, literary history and criticism, critical theory, linguistics, and creative writing. Courses offered by the department explore a wide range of discourses written in English, including poetry, drama, fiction, film, popular culture, and electronic media. Students examine the cultural, social, political, and economic contexts that condition a variety of texts. Majors write extensively and learn to express themselves effectively, both orally and in writing. They gain practical insight into the words that they speak, read, and write.

The English department supports an engaged, civic-oriented curriculum and teaches the critical skills of reading and writing in the context of community involvement and real public spheres by incorporating community and service-learning components into literature classes.