The English major prepares students for the future as well-read, critical and creative thinkers and communicators ready to serve and to lead in a variety of professional careers. A cornerstone of the liberal arts, literary study introduces students to a diverse range of canonical and non-canonical authors, literary history, historical events, popular culture and the history of ideas. Thinking and writing about literary works sharpens critical and creative thinking skills and hones research capabilities. Students pursue one of four paths of study with coursework and internships appropriate to career goals. Putting knowledge to practice, students choose an internship, student teaching, or research project for junior or senior year to equip them with practical experience and relevant credentials before graduation.
English majors have recently held internships at the following companies and organizations:
- The Boston Globe
- Horn Book (a magazine on children's literature)
- Simon & Schuster, Allyn and Bacon, Blackwell, Houghton Mifflin (publishing companies)
- WRKO Radio 680 AM; WCVB-TV, Channel 5; WLVI-TV, Channel 56 (broadcasting companies)
- Webb, Webb and Martin (law firm)
- Basil Blackwell Publishers
English Department Goals and Objectives:
Goal One: The English Department is dedicated to each major’s knowledge of literature written in English: its forms, its history, its uses, and its power.
Objectives:
- The major demonstrates general understanding of genres: poetry, drama, and fiction.
- The major demonstrates knowledge of literary theory and competence in literary analysis.
- The major displays knowledge of British and American literature.
- The major understands the literary expression of class, race, gender, and ethnicity.
- The major displays knowledge of literary history, including general knowledge of a period in British and American literature and knowledge of at least two major British and American authors.
Goal Two: The English Department is dedicated to each major’s achieving full potential as a critical and creative thinker with a strong, compelling voice.
Objectives:
- The major will develop a strong voice in speaking and writing.
- The major will demonstrate complex thinking and analysis in writing.
- The major will use the language effectively, creatively, and precisely.
Goal Three: The English Department fosters the application of the major's knowledge and skills to practical use in an internship or scholarly project.
Objectives:
- The major chooses one of four “tracks” to pursue: teaching, publishing, scholarship, or professional.
- The major chooses an internship/scholarly project in keeping with the track and works as an intern/independent researcher in junior or senior year.
Admission
Faculty Contact Information
Core Curriculum Requirements