English - BA

The Department of English is dedicated to the study of literatures and cultures of those parts of the world in which English is a primary language. Our curriculum is shaped by the flow of English-speaking people and cultural production in English across both time and space, combining historical, linguistic and cultural analysis with creative work in literature, film, and emerging media. The varied interests of our faculty and students include creative writing, rhetoric and discourse studies, gender and women’s studies, film studies, digital humanities, health humanities, science fiction, and the full range of literatures and varieties of English, including African American, the African Diaspora, Latinx, Asian American, Native American, and South Asian studies.

The BA in English allows students to develop their own areas of expertise through concentrations in areas such as literature, composition and rhetoric, creative writing, science fiction and fantasy studies, and film. Students who major in English learn how to communicate effectively and persuasively; develop writing skills (including in technical and business writing, and/or creative writing); learn textual analysis and effective research methods; and strengthen their critical thinking skills. This degree prepares students for a variety of careers including education, law, technical writing, publishing, entertainment, management, marketing and advertising, counseling and medicine.