CKQ Examines College Majors: English

Each newsletter will provide readers with insight into a specific major that might pique your interest. This segment is all about introducing students to majors (and possibly careers) they may have never considered before. This time around, we will provide information on the English major (special thank you to Collegeboard.org for information used in this article).

So you may be thinking, wait a tick… you just said a major that I have never considered before…and I am quite familiar with English…I speak and write it as my first language! Well, the reason I am highlighting English this time around is because it is an incredibly versatile degree – which means it could be a good way to go for the indecisive student who knows they enjoy reading and writing, but not what to do with those skills just yet!

When I say versatile, English majors can go into nearly any graduate field because of their strong language, reading, writing, and research skill sets. Law and education are the two most logical post-baccalaureate destinations for English majors, and we can include the obvious ones of publishing and policy creation and writing. Now, we may have a viewpoint of thinking our English major will have a job right out of college…at a local Starbucks… but that is really for the student who is not leveraging their degree early on (or while they are still enrolled in their BA program).

The English major will read, discuss, and write about literature. Literary works include poetry, prose, and drama but may also be drawn from film, journalism, and television. Study focuses on the critical, historical, linguistic, and cultural contexts of these works. In addition, students practice their own writing, developing their language use and composition skills.

Consider this major if you are good at: attention to detail; creativity; critical reading/thinking; persuading/influencing; research… or have… initiative; patience; verbal skills; writing skills.

Typical courses in this major include: Survey of English literature, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, History of the English language, Medieval literature, Victorian literature, The Romantics, Modern English grammar, English drama, American literature, Continental literature, Critical theory, New voices in literature, Poetry and The modern short story.

Concentrations within the major include: creative writing; critical theory; drama; film; linguistics; ethnic literatures; and literature of a particular period.

What the study of this major is like: An almost universal first-year requirement of this major is a semester- or year-long chronological (or thematic) survey of English and American literature, which lays the groundwork for further courses in particular genres or literary time periods. Classes are usually small, and you are expected to contribute to class discussion and to write term papers – usually two per course.

Upper-level courses present a more formal study of literature. You learn how to read critically, how to determine the contexts of literature, and how literature creates and reflects the culture from which it springs. In addition, you study point of view, explication, tone, irony, metaphor, image, structure, and allusion. You also explore the ways in which texts affect audiences’ beliefs and emotions, and the ways in which literature sheds light on our lives.

Besides the core courses, most programs offer a broad selection of electives focusing on genre study, critical theory, individual authors, and other topics. Courses in writing encourage students to practice the techniques learned by reading the works of others. You’ll become increasingly sensitive to the subtleties of language and to the influences of what you read and hear. In both literature and writing courses, you will examine the logic of an argument, the ways experiences are organized, and reactions to psychological and emotional persuasion. Students’ studies may conclude with a seminar on a particular theme or subject approached from a variety of directions. And there will likely be a lengthy term project for that seminar.

In addition to classes, most programs provide opportunities to attend readings presented by guest speakers, topical seminars, and more formal lectures given by faculty members. It is also common for English majors with similar interests to meet informally outside of class, to discuss their work and to exchange ideas and opinions.

Career options and trends include: Elementary, middle, or high school teacher; college professor; editor; journalist; technical writer. The English major also prepares students for broad career options, including opportunities in publishing; radio; television; and online communications; social work; and management. With graduate or professional study, students can pursue a career in law, medicine, or other fields.

A state certificate or license is required for K-12 public school teaching positions. College-level teaching positions in English are few and difficult to obtain.

For more information from this field, please visit:

www.mla.org