Program Overview

The English department at JU is as diverse and inclusive as the discipline itself. Our program focuses on the study of language and English & American literature, of course, but also allows students to supplement their studies with coursework in film, creative writing, young adult literature, the graphic novel, and other related ‘special topics.’

At JU, an English degree does mean an advanced appreciation of language and literature, but it also goes beyond that. You can expect a curriculum that will improve your writing and reading skills, sharpen your critical and analytic thinking, , and allow you to refine your aesthetic sensibilities. It is no wonder that, according to Bloomberg Business Week, many hiring managers at top firms and investment banks prefer hiring Liberal Arts majors (like English!) to students trained only in general ‘business’ programs.

Courses in English improve the reading, writing, and analytical skills of students, offer insight into the structure of the English language, explore film as an art form and develop an appreciation for great literature. As such, an English major is excellent preparation for the graduate study of literature and communication, for medical school, law school, and secondary education. It opens the way to many positions in government and private industry, including editing, technical writing, advertising, public relations, communication, sales, marketing, personnel management, systems engineering and programming. Within the major, in order to provide a firm foundation for more advance study later, students take four broad-range survey courses, preferably early in the program. Additionally, in order to acquire range and balance, majors take one course in the English language, chosen from Linguistics or Grammar. English majors are also required to take a varied selection from other English courses, including period surveys, literary genres, film, major figures, and writing courses.