Humanistic background and practical skills
Courses are offered in literature, theater, and film, which provide a broad humanistic background, and in writing and speech, which provide practical skills. The freshman sequence emphasizes both literature and composition; students receive instruction in the forms of discourse, the literary genres, and film. The World Literature sequence, required of all Bachelor of Arts students, examines landmark texts.
A broad range of elective offerings, open to students of all academic disciplines, provides traditional “period” and thematic emphases across the literary canon. Specialty courses, such as Military Literature and Third World Literature, broaden humanistic perspectives. A writing laboratory and computer clusters located across the university's campus enable technology-assisted writing instruction.
Outstanding preparation for any career
Because the English major demands that its students write and speak clearly and precisely about historical and contemporary ideas, it provides an excellent preparation for many professions and occupations, including law, medicine, teaching, communications, business and government, graduate study, and military service. In addition, many students find that the English major represents excellent preparation for post-graduate study in a variety of fields.
Teacher licensure
English majors may elect to seek licensure by completing education courses and a semester of student teaching as described in the teacher education section. Students should begin planning in their freshman year to fit education requirements into their major.
