English at Valpo

Our courses cover English and American literature from the middle ages to the present; methods of literary criticism and research; minority literatures; creative and professional writing. Some courses survey literature chronologically or historically; others focus on the forms of literature. Still others are organized topically. English courses take important places in the American Studies Major, and the minors in Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Film Studies, Gender Studies, and the Liberal Arts/Business Minor.

The Department features a professional and a creative writing major and minor. The former helps students develop their abilities to speak, write, and edit others' writing effectively in business, the professions, government, and non-profit organizations. The latter helps them to develop their abilities as storytellers, poets, playwrights, and essayists.

Many students who enroll in these courses are not English majors. They find literary study stimulating and pleasurable and they seek the enrichment of life that literature affords.

Of those who are English majors, a few plan to continue literary study in graduate school aiming for careers teaching English at the college level. Some plan to become high school teachers of English, and our teaching major leads to state certification. The program helps students learn to teach literature as an art and provides thorough preparation in children's and adolescent literature, intermediate composition, the history and grammar of English, and teaching methods. Some students major in English to prepare for careers in ministry, law, and many other professions that demand sensitivity to language, ability to write lucidly and persuasively, insight into processes of creative thinking and feeling, and an ability to communicate that transcends boundaries dividing the human family.

To meet the diverse needs of all these students, the Department offers a major governed by a core of proven, durable requirements while allowing scope for substantial individual choice. Students confer with a professor who remains their adviser throughout their undergraduate careers. With their adviser, students select courses that fit their career plans and provide a balanced understanding of literary art in English. The following pages, we trust, will help students to achieve both aims.