English, B.A.

Vision:

Reading and writing are acts of love and of survival - pursued for the sheer pleasure of creativity and imagination and for the human need to communicate. The English Department calls the student to explore the written word: the means by which we know our past, understand our present, and envision our future. Our courses on all levels foster the skills of critical, historical, and empathetic reading, focusing on texts from British, American, and World traditions. In our courses, students engage in and reflect on all facets of the English language and the writing process, discovering how language and writing shape identity and inform culture. Whether creating texts of their own or reading texts composed by others, students are encouraged to examine their lives and to appreciate the variety of human experience .

Purpose:

The Department offers the major and minor in English and the interdisciplinary minor in Writing. The department’s faculty is committed to stimulating the intellectual curiosity and fostering the individual growth of its students - both in the classroom and beyond. Classes develop vital language, reading, and rhetorical skills, as well as an enhanced sense of aesthetic appreciation and a deeper understanding of literary traditions. Enrichment programs include study abroad, visiting writers and speakers, student research, literary journal, service learning, internships, student clubs, and independent study. Departmental awards and a research symposium celebrate excellence in student achievement. The English faculty prepares students for graduate and professional programs, and for careers in such fields as writing, publishing, teaching, business, law, marketing, and entertainment.

Goals:

The Department of English:

1. promotes effective, creative, and reflective reading, writing, and critical thinking;
2. presents literature and language within historical and cultural contexts;
3. introduces students to diverse strategies for interpreting literature;
4. explores with students the structures, complexities, and development of language;
5. assists students interested in developing as creative writers;
6. integrates local and global learning experiences into the curriculum;
7. requires students to develop web, technology, and research skills - and to think critically about these tools and resources.