English
English courses invite students to read works that open the mind and heart, to engage in complex analysis and critical thinking, and to seek beauty and persuasion in writing and speech. Because reading and writing are so completely interconnected, they are both part of all departmental courses.
English majors study the range of literature written in English from its medieval beginnings to the contemporary scene, and from poetry and drama to novels and creative nonfiction. In addition to writing essays of literary criticism and analysis, majors can choose courses in which they write poetry, fiction, news stories, or personal essays.