Mission

For students majoring or minoring in English, the program provides a foundation in literature, language, writing, and teaching. Thus, students' command of written language, their ability to analyze concepts, and their broad understanding of human nature and social realities will enable them to be competitive in a variety of fields, including education, business, and civil service or, with appropriate graduate work, in professions such as law and higher education. 

The literature emphases, both major and minor, encompass a broad range of American, British, and world literature carefully selected by the faculty to include work by women and men of diverse backgrounds and in a variety of literary forms. The program provides a sound foundation in both literature and language as well as considerable instruction and practice in writing in order that students' command of written language, their ability to analyze concepts, and their broad understanding of human nature and social realities will enable them to find employment in a variety of fields, including business and civil service, and with graduate education, in professions such as law and higher education.

English Department faculty members develop professionally in a variety of ways appropriate to their disciplines, from maintaining currency in the curricula they teach and the instructional technology they employ to scholarly and creative work leading to various forms of publication and presentation. They serve the University and community by volunteering in schools or other organizations concerned with the written word and by sharing with their fellow citizens the insights of teacher-scholars educated in the tradition of the liberal arts.