English

Courses in English are designed to challenge students to become critical thinkers who use language in its myriad forms as a precise, powerful, sophisticated, and creative way to know, to judge, and to communicate.  A degree in English prepares students for thoughtful lives in which language matters both personally and professionally. Students who have earned the B.A. in English have become editors, journalists, managers, administrators, writers, educators, and public relations and advertising specialists, among others. This degree also can prepare students for a variety of graduate programs, including but not limited to, English, communications, law, business, divinity, and library science.  Students desiring certification as secondary school teachers must fulfill the requirements of the English major.

Students in English can shape their program by selecting from a wide range of complementary academic minors in such fields as: business, marketing, management, writing, political science, pre-law, or graphic design. In addition, the University offers opportunities to write for publication, to participate in theater productions, and to propose other extracurricular possibilities. In the senior year, majors who maintain a 2.5 average (on a scale of 4.0) in their major can participate in an internship program in which they gain practical experience working in a career-related field under professional supervision.

For information on Bachelor of Arts in English Education (Day) , refer to the Education Department section of the catalog.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduating majors in English should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the broad historical and aesthetic movements, innovations, techniques, and genres in British, American, and other English-language literature, as well as the historical, linguistic, grammatical, and social dimensions of the English language;
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate literary works, demonstrating how they relate to essential human questions and themes;
• Write with precision and clarity, composing critical analysis essays following edited Standard English, as well as original poetry and fiction;
• Effectively present information orally and visually;
• Perform duties responsibly and competently in an internship setting requiring analysis, problem-solving, and communication.

ASSESSMENT

Student achievement in the English major is assessed in a variety of ways, including individually written projects (essays, multimedia), oral presentations, journals, self-evaluations, group projects (written and oral), online group activities (discussion board, chat room), exit interviews, and focus groups.  In internships, faculty and qualified site personnel evaluate students’ professional demeanor and practical skills in an applied setting. Students are encouraged to keep a portfolio of their experiences for reflective purposes, as well as to demonstrate their competencies when applying to graduate school and for positions in the field.

MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.T.) IN TEACHING MIDDLE/SECONDARY: ENGLISH 

For information on the Master of Arts in Teaching Middle/Secondary: English , refer to the Middle/Secondary section of the catalog.

Programs

• Bachelor of Arts in English (Day)
• Minor in English (15 credits)