Welcome to the Department of English at Wright State University
The English major provides a balanced program of introductory and advanced work in English and American literature, world literature in English, English language and linguistics, and writing. The program offers students the chance to engage in a major humanistic discipline, the study of literature, which is challenging and enriching in itself. The English major also provides sound professional training for those interested in high school or college teaching, the teaching of English as a second language, business or technical writing, or graduate work. And the program is an excellent background for students entering professional schools or planning business careers.
The English major offers four concentrations, designed to meet the needs of students with a general interest in literature and of those with special interests in writing or teaching. Students seeking a strong background in literature, history, theory, and analysis should take the literature concentration in English, which combines the historical and critical study of literature with innovative approaches to critical methods, women's studies, nontraditional literatures, and non-Western literature in English. The department also offers a degree in English: Integrated Language Arts education, for students wishing to prepare for teacher licensure.
The concentration in English with an emphasis on creative writing offers students a full series of introductory and advanced creative writing courses. The concentration in English with an emphasis on professional writing gives interested students a strong combination of literature and professional writing instruction, including course work in business and technical writing, and journalism. Finally, the concentration in English with an emphasis on TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) provides a combination of advanced work in applied linguistics with training in current methods of language teaching.
In choosing electives, students should try to select, in consultation with the departmental advisor, courses that complement their major interest and form a coherent unit of study, or courses that provide an appropriate career-oriented concentration.