The Bachelor of Arts in English program offers courses in literature, creative writing and professional writing. Our curriculum’s emphasis on critical thinking, effective writing, and oral communication prepares you for many career paths after graduation.
About the Degree
The literature courses approach texts from thematic, biographical, formal, historical and socio-cultural perspectives. Literature is explored in its relation to the past and its relevance to people’s lives in the present. All courses stress critical thinking and problem-solving as essential aspects of the composing and interpreting process. In the senior year, every student takes the Capstone course and writes a culminating paper presented on Thesis Day.
The English major has been recognized nationally as preparation for a wide variety of careers and for graduate study in several fields. Our curriculum’s emphasis on critical thinking, effective writing and oral communication prepares students for many paths after graduation listed here.
- Graduate school in English literature, law, library science, creative writing and journalism.
- Careers in research, communications, government, publishing, editing, public relations and business, and teaching.
- Teaching at the secondary level (with Secondary Education Certification for public schools) and at the college level (with a graduate degree).
Requirements
Credits
60 credits as listed below, with Undergraduate Curriculum requirements and electives to total a minimum of 128 credits
Core Courses
- EN 199 Interpreting Literature
- EN 202 Research Writing for English Majors
- EN 230 Literature of the African American
- EN 300 Junior Seminar
- EN 399 Senior Literature Seminar
200-Level Required Courses
- One 200-level course in “Topics in Literature of the African Diaspora ”
- One 200-level course in “Topics in Identity and Social Justice”
- Two 200-level literature electives
300-Level Required Courses
- One 300-level course in “Topics in European Literature”
- One 300-level course in “Topics in U. S. Literature”
- One 300-level Literature Elective
Additional Requirements
- One “Topics in Global Literature Course” at the 200 or 300 level
- EN 371 Career Internship in English
- One Professional Writing Course
- One Writing Course (Professional Creative)
Recommended
Courses in modern language and literature, history, religion, philosophy, art and music as well as electives appropriate to specific professional objectives such as a career in business, law, radio or television.
Career Internship
All English majors must complete either a Career Internship or Student Teaching for Certification.
- EN 371 Career Internship in English
Secondary Education Certification in English
To graduate with Secondary Education Certification, you must complete the requirements for both the English major and the Education certification. An adviser in each department will help you plan your curriculum. If you are interested in secondary certification, consult with your disciplinary adviser and School of Education adviser as early as possible, preferably first year. All Arcadia undergraduates seeking certification must have declared Secondary Education as a minor and formally apply into the teacher certification preparation program during the spring semester of their sophomore year.
See the School of Education section of the catalog for Secondary Education certification requirements.