English

Program Overview

The English Program provides its majors with a strong foundation in literary and writing studies, while offering non-English majors the opportunity to improve their writing skills and deepen their understanding of the enjoyment afforded to the informed reader. The work of the major is ideal for growth toward a profession, while also offering opportunities for pleasure and personal growth. The major prepares students to continue their work in graduate and professional schools. Minors in Literary Studies and Writing Studies are also available.

Mission

Firmly rooted in the Catholic liberal arts tradition, the English Program aspires to be a community of learning which fosters among its members a love of scholarship, a desire for lifelong learning, a posture of service, and a desire for ethical relationships. With support and guidance from the faculty of the Program, students working towards a degree in English grow to become independent, engaged scholars who accept responsibility for their own learning. As sensitive and informed readers who grow in their understanding of the essence of human experience, they develop habits of critical thinking, and they communicate with others clearly, effectively, and compassionately.

Student Learning Outcomes

A student who completes the English major will be able to demonstrate the following abilities:

• To closely read a literary text and place it in conversation with other literary texts.
• To write effectively in a variety of genres.
• To think critically about language, literature, and writing.
• To place literary texts into larger social, cultural, historical, and theoretical contexts.
• To communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• To possess the beginnings of intellectual and/or artistic independence.
• To find and effectively use information relevant to literature and writing studies.

Graduates

Because our graduates have learned to read closely, analyze critically, and express themselves cogently, they are prepared to enter a career as well as to enroll in graduate or professional schools. The English major is an unparalleled preparation for law school, and several of our graduates are practicing attorneys. Others teach in elementary, middle, and high schools, and some teach on college faculties.

Some recent graduates work at major publishers, others fulfill editorial responsibilities at magazines and newspapers, and several have earned advanced degrees as librarians. Many of our graduates work in corporate communication and advertising, and some work in financial services companies.

Students are encouraged to continue their education by enrolling in graduate programs, and in recent years, such schools as Montclair State University, Rutgers University, University of Rochester, New York University, Drew University, Marquette University, Fordham University, West Virginia University College of Law, and Columbia University have welcomed our graduates to their classrooms.