English, B.A.

The College of Arts and Sciences  offers an undergraduate major in English to students a strong academic background in English studies - the creative analysis of literature and extensive practice in the process of writing that will enable them to analyze, understand, and appreciate the diversity of the human experience and to meet controversy and challenge in appropriate, practical, and intellectually satisfying ways. Additionally, as a program that is foundational to the university’s commitment to adult education and lifelong learning, it meets a continually increasing demand nationally and locally for liberally educated individuals in any discipline.

Within this major, students may pursue course work in language, literature, composition, and related studies in the humanities. The curriculum emphasizes a variety of approaches to an expanded literary tradition and relates the works studied to social, political, and historical contexts. In pursuit of the program goals, the student acquires the necessary knowledge and skills of creative analysis and expression (written and oral) that mark the liberally educated person, one who is prepared to meet the practical and analytical challenges of virtually any profession.

In addition, the undergraduate major in English with a concentration in English Teacher Education prepares students to meet the specific needs and challenges of teaching English in the secondary classroom.

Program Expected Student Outcomes

Upon completion of a BA in English, students will be able to:

1. Interpret literary texts from multiple eras, cultures, and genres, using a variety of critical approaches.

2. Analyze connections between literary texts and their historical, social, political, and cultural contexts.

3. Express complex ideas with clarity and style, both orally and in writing.

4. Evaluate academic discourse in a variety of genres and modalities.

5. Apply research skills which enable them to expand, from a variety of perspectives, their own readings of literature and rhetoric.

6. Explain, with respect and understanding, the importance of diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles.