English

Professors Dillon, Federico, Nayder, and Pickens; Associate Professors Anthony, Freedman, Hardy, and Osucha (chair); Visiting Assistant Professor Noah and Wolfert; Visiting Instructor Mocsi

Through a wide range of courses, students develop the ability to read closely and to engage in skilled textual analysis. They gain a sense of diverse literary histories and an understanding of literary genres. Deepening their engagement with literature, they formulate and test questions about texts and compare them critically. Students learn to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of critical sources, methods, and interpretations and to negotiate among them. Discussions and course work require students to develop their own ideas about texts and to present persuasive arguments in an articulate, responsive, and insightful manner, in both speech and writing. The English major prepares students for graduate study and professional careers in literary studies and creative writing, and for successful paths in a wide range of professions, including journalism, medicine, law, business, screenwriting, education, media production, publishing, marketing communication, advertising, and library science

English majors who wish to concentrate in creative writing complete the introductory and advanced workshops in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or playwriting, and broaden their workshop experience through the completion of a third workshop outside of their chosen genre. Creative Writing students then write a creative thesis.

Departmental offerings are intended to be taken in sequence. Courses at the 100 level are open to all students. Courses at the 200 level are more difficult in both the amount of material covered and the level of inquiry; they also address questions of theory and methodology in more self-conscious ways. Some 200-level courses have prerequisites. Seminars at the 300 level are generally for juniors and seniors who have completed several English courses (the latter requirement may be waived at the discretion of the instructor for certain interdisciplinary majors).