English

The critical thinking and communication skills you learn as an English major will help you succeed in virtually any career you choose. This major exposes you to ethical, moral, and metaphysical questions concerning what it is to be human, and what it means to be humane. We challenge you to express yourself through discussion and writing, and look at subjects in new and exciting ways.

Our faculty guide you as you develop your writing and speaking skills, foster a critical and historical understanding of the English language and its literature, and approach the interpretation of texts from multiple perspectives. If you are especially interested in writing, we offer a concentration within the English major to sharpen your skills.

Over the years, our graduates have gone on to successful careers in law, business, and education. Recent graduates have earned Ph.D.s from Yale and University of North Carolina, among others, and held such jobs as investment counselor, journalist, library director — even a vice president of United Technologies.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Major in English

(Minimum at Elms College: 15 credits/Minimum GPA: 2.0)

Major Requirements (30 credits)

A. Choose six credits:
ENG 201 World Literature I (3 credits) and ENG 202 World Literature II (3 credits)
OR
ENG 211 Survey of English Literature I (3 credits) and ENG 212 Survey of English Literature II (3 credits)

B. Choose eight upper-level (300+) English courses (24 credits)

During this course work, the student is responsible for assembling a portfolio of written work representing:
1. British, American, and world literature
2. Six of the following areas:

• Medieval Literature
• Renaissance Literature
• Restoration-18th Century British Literature
• 19th Century British Literature
• 20th Century British Literature
• 19th Century American Literature
• 20th Century American Literature
• World Literature
• Genre: film/journalism/theatre/writing

Note: Secondary education majors need ENG 391 History of the English Language.

Minor in English (18 credits)

A. Choose six credits:
ENG 201 World Literature I (3 credits) and ENG 202 World Literature II (3 credits)
OR
ENG 211 Survey of English Literature I (3 credits) and ENG 212 Survey of English Literature II (3 credits)
B. Choose four upper-level (300+) English courses (12 credits)

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Major in English with a writing concentration

Major Requirements (36 credits)

A. Choose six credits:
ENG 201 World Literature I (3 credits) and ENG 202 World Literature II (3 credits)
OR
ENG 211 Survey of English Literature I (3 credits) and ENG 212 Survey of English Literature II (3 credits)

B. Choose five upper-level (300+) English literature courses (15 credits)

C. Five upper-level writing courses, as follows:
ENG 384 News Writing (3 credits)
ENG 385 Writing and Editing for Publication (3 credits)
ENG 392 Advanced Writing (3 credits)
Creative Writing or another writing elective (3 credits)
Internship (3 credits)