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Because of its scope and flexibility, the English program can prepare its majors for a variety of careers. In the past, students have pursued careers in journalism, business, library science, education, and technical writing. English is also an excellent preparation for law school. Others among our alumnae are distinguished members of the business and legal communities, whereas still others have distinguished themselves in elementary, secondary, and higher education careers. In addition, recent graduates have undertaken advanced study at Pembroke College and St. Hilda's at Oxford University. Others have studied at American institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Emory University, the University of Maryland, Fordham University, the University of New Hampshire and the University of Delaware. The Typical Program An English major's program is formulated individually by the student with the help of a faculty advisor. English literature majors take a minimum of ten upper-division literature courses. EN 300, "English Literary History," is required of all English majors. Students are encouraged to take this class during the sophomore year, or the first semester of the junior year at the latest, because it provides a solid foundation for subsequent upper-division courses. Courses at the 300-level offer opportunities for extensive study of individual writers and literary periods, e.g., the Victorian age, modern British and American fiction, Milton and the Renaissance. Students must take five courses dealing with literature written before 1800 (EN 300-359) and five courses dealing primarily with literature written since 1800 (EN 340-399). All English majors are required to take two seminars, which are intensive studies in a literary figure, genre, theory, or movement.The upper-division course descriptions on our site will give you a sense of what kinds of courses are offered to fill these requirements. Honors Options The department invites as many as 15 of its most accomplished seniors to participate in an Honors Seminar. This seminar, the topic of which is announced before registration for each fall semester, provides an intense and rewarding educational experience. Those who complete the Honors Seminar may elect to write an Honors thesis under the direction of a faculty advisor. The thesis does not count toward the English major (the credit is elective), but the preparation and successful defense result in an honors designation for the student's English major. It is an excellent preparation for graduate or professional school.
A Minor in English Students who elect to major in disciplines such as communications, business, psychology, or science may enrich their educational experience and build their career portfolio at the same time by electing to minor in English. These students benefit by the close reading, critical thinking, and purposive writing taught in English upper-division courses. Moreover, their experience in these courses enriches their perspective on global issues and the increasingly diverse world in which they live and eventually lead. English minors take a minimum of five upper-division English courses beyond the core requirement. At least two of these should deal with literature written before 1800 (EN 300-359) and two should deal primarily with literature written since 1800 (EN 340-399). The fifth course may be from either area. All English minors are required to take at least one seminar.
English Major + Practical Concentration = Success and Fulfillment Even if the student elects not to minor in business, a judicious use of core course requirements and electives can prepare an English major for entry positions in business or industry, where our majors tend to do very well because of their analytical and communication skills. Some English majors who enrich their education by electing a concentration or a minor may enroll in a graduate program in Business (i.e., an MBA). Such programs are designed by an advisor working closely with the student, and may prepare the English major with such basic business skills as Accounting, Economics, Information systems, Statistics, Organizational Behavior, and Marketing fundamentals. Students contemplating double majors, business or pre-professional minors, or concentrations should discuss their plans with an academic advisor early in their career and should seriously consider an internship (EN 099) as a practicum in their senior years.
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