English
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and a BGS, as well as a MA, MFA, and a PhD in English. The study of English language and literature fosters self-knowledge and cultural understanding. The department teaches students to write clearly and effectively and to read good literature with understanding and pleasure. It offers courses in three general divisions. (1) Literature: Through reading, discussion, and writing, the student develops powers of appreciation and criticism. (2) Language: Courses describe and explain the historical development of the English language and its present structure. They also may introduce the student to works written in earlier forms of the language. (3) Writing: Through reading, discussion, and practice, the student learns to write informative and imaginative prose. Courses in the writing of fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, and nonfiction prose are offered.
Sample of Related Skills
- Read a range of literature in English and exhibit a knowledge of genres, literary history, and literary criticism
- Read texts closely and think critically, with openness, confidence, and acuity – understanding that literary texts are complex and resist simple interpretation
- Write with clarity and compose well-argued essays
- Know how to conduct productive research in literary studies, equipped with a basic understanding of the major approaches to literary criticism
- Experience literature as a powerful way of knowing about cultures and the lived life
Popular Career Paths
Advertising & Public Relations: Concerns communicating the message of certain products, programs, and organizations and generally requires creativity and strong communication skills.
Business Administration & Management: Allows one to utilize strong communication skills to effectively manage employees, develop correspondence, write business memos and proposals, and more.
Teaching: Requires capabilities beyond knowing and loving the subject, such as curriculum development, classroom management, lesson plan development, and classroom modification.
Technical Writing: Includes taking complex material and making it more user-friendly and/or writing documents, manuals, books, etc. for those who are already familiar with the material.
Writing, Editing, & Publishing: Involves careers in newspapers and magazines, book publishing, freelancing, arts and entertainment, and radio and television.
Jobs to Consider
- Blogger
- Book Editor
- Book Reviewer
- Bureau Reporter
- Consultant
- Corporate Communications Director
- Copy Writer
- Customer Service Representative
- Editor
- Fundraiser/Development Coordinator
- Ghostwriter
- Human Resources Manager
- Insurance Claims Agent
- Legal Secretary/Paralegal
- Librarian
- Media Buyer
- Medical Writer
- Press Secretary
- Public Relations Manager
- Publisher
- Reporter
- Technical Editor
Places to Seek Employment
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Book Stores
- Consulting Firms
- Libraries
- Educational Institutions, Especially in Higher Education
- Insurance Agencies
- Publishing Companies
- Corporate Companies: HR/Communications Divisions
- Think Tanks
- Newspapers and Magazines
- Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations Firms
- Local, State, & Federal Government Agencies
- Self-Employed/Freelance
Explore More Career Resources
Book Jobs - job and internship resources, general information on the world of publishing, an informational video, and more
Ed(2010) Whisper Jobs - job and internship listings, as well as salary and contact information for various companies in the publishing and journalism industries.
Kansas Press Association - journalism position announcements in the state of Kansas
Desert Sage Book Editor - step-by-step instructions on how English majors can work as freelance book editors
Writers Guild of America - tools and resources for writers, including information on various fields of writing
How to Write Full-Time in the 21st Century - information on the career of a full-time author/blogger