2023-2024 Catalogue

English

To read literature is to see the world anew through others’ eyes. To write is to wield one of the most powerful tools of social change. Students studying English at Wesleyan College become strong readers and writers as they work with texts from a range of cultures, periods, and perspectives. Discussion-based classes invite students to consider the power of language in shaping experiences of place, gender, race, class, and other essential components of culture and identity. Through coursework, individual and collaborative projects, and interactions with faculty, students practice critical thinking, analytical reasoning, empathy, and creativity. Together with writing and speaking skills, these attributes ensure that English majors are prepared for the workplace and for the important task of communicating across cultures and in a variety of genres, both traditional and evolving.

Students choosing to study English at Wesleyan College read broadly in American, British, and world literature. They also focus in depth on such topics as globalization, sustainability, digital culture, science fiction, African-American literature, Victorian and Edwardian drama, Southern women writers, and African women’s fiction. They discover various theoretical approaches to literary analysis in an Introduction to Literary Criticism class, and they strengthen writing skills through persuasive and creative writing courses. Students conclude their studies by designing a scholarly project integrating their studies in English with some other area of scholarship, and they have the opportunity to engage in internships and other professional activities.

Upon completion of their work in English, students will be able to

I. Write clearly and cogently;
II. Analyze individual texts from a range of genres, periods, and authors;
III. Explain the dynamic relationship between individual texts and the social, political, and historical contexts in which they were created;
IV. Produce original scholarly and/or creative work.

While every class in the English curriculum enables students to strengthen these skills, each class foregrounds one or two, which are noted parenthetically below. In addition to completing 36 hours of coursework, the major includes an integrative experience (completed as part of ENG 401: Senior Seminar in English).

ENG 396* Special Topics in English (III) 3 hours

Minor Requirements: English (18 hours)

The minor gives students the opportunity to strengthen close reading and writing skills and enables students to see literary works in broader contexts. The minor consists of 18 hours distributed as follows.

I. Required (3 hours)
ENG 210 Introduction to Literary Criticism (II) 3 hours

*May be repeated once for a total of 6 hours credit in the English minor. A student's transcript will indicate the focus of the seminar so as to distinguish the two classes.

Resources for Non-Majors. English courses are open to all students who satisfy the required prerequisites. English courses provide an excellent complement to nearly all majors because the study of literature and writing enables students to read, think, speak, and write well -- necessary skills in professional life. 

Postgraduate Opportunities. Students who major in English think critically and analytically, write cogently, and develop the empathy needed to communicate effectively. Students recently completing majors in English have enrolled in graduate programs in English, creative writing, digital humanities/communication studies, women's studies, rhetoric and composition, library and information science, and international relations. Others have gone on to careers in teaching, journalism, academic administration, law, and public service. English graduates are also especially suited for careers in web content creation, human resources, technical writing, editing, marketing, and advertising.

Find out more about this program.