Do you have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to investigate social, historical and cultural trends and movements? Are you passionate about digging deep into literary works to interpret nuances and draw conclusions? The B.A. in English will arm you with the skills that employers are looking for in the 21stcentury job market.
As a student, you will work with a diverse group of highly experienced faculty who will continually challenge you with coursework that enhances your communication, critical thinking and research skills. You’ll discover how to collaborate with others to understand complex issues and solve problems as well as how to conduct independent research and convey your conclusions logically and persuasively.
As a result, you will formulate new ways of thinking, reading and writing that will continue to evolve throughout your life.
Your skills in writing and literary editing will culminate during your capstone experience, when you delve into a specific area of interest and produce a professional work of original research and scholarship suitable for publication.
With these valuable skills in hand, you will graduate ready to enter a wide variety of fulfilling professions and make meaningful contributions to the world around you.
If you're interested in teaching English, the Literature program parallels English Education programs, making certification easy if you decide to teach in middle or secondary schools.
When you enroll in our B.A. in English program, you'll explore literary genres, movements and periods, from ancient to modern times. You'll learn to think critically, discuss articulately, communicate clearly and reap the rewards that come from understanding the value and functions of creative expression in our world.
Credits: 120
Contact:
Leah Chambers
Lchambers@pennwest.edu
814-393-2587
Choose either the Writing concentration, Literary and Cultural Studies or a General English option.
42 credits of advanced coursework build skills in specific topics.
Add a 12-15 credit certificate to further your studies in professional writing, creative writing or literature.
Whether you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree in English or Library Science, or just want more in-depth knowledge of literature and the culture that surrounds it, the Literary and Cultural Studies concentration at PennWest will put you on the right path forward.
Take a deeper dive into various genres of literature. Explore cultural and social topics, such as World literature, African-American literature or Gender and Identity in literature. Expand your knowledge of particular authors and topics and delve into the how’s and whys of literary criticism.
People with this degree often find rewarding careers in the publishing industry, libraries, information and research, education, human resources, law, management and many others.
Do words and their power fascinate you? Do you enjoy sharing stories, observations and speculations? Do you want to make your writing more memorable, your command of sentences, images, plots and scenes more secure and lasting? If your answers are yes, yes and yes, welcome to the undergraduate Writing concentration at PennWest.
Distinguished professors who continually produce new work in a variety of genres will help you develop a practical understanding of contemporary writing and an appreciation of the wider literary tradition. You will work with genres including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting and graphic novel writing as well as business and technical writing.
During the Thesis Seminar in Writing, you will complete a semester-long project in a single genre and present your work publicly at the end of the Spring semester.
You will have many opportunities to practice your craft, by contributing to Chimera, our award-winning student literary/art journal, and selecting and editing pieces submitted to The Magazine, our annual online journal of undergraduate creative writing. You can also gain experience working on the student newspaper or becoming a writing consultant at the University Writing Center.
Graduates of PennWest’s B.A. in English report being well-prepared for graduate and pre-professional programs, as well as for employment in a variety of fields.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 64% of workers with a bachelor’s degree in English work in one of these fields:
PennWest’s three campuses, California, Clarion and Edinboro universities, have been delivering award-winning online programs for more than 20 years. You’ll graduate with a degree from Pennsylvania Western University, completely supported by the expertise and community of learners on our brick-and-mortar campuses.