English Language and Literature

Equipping students with unparalleled attention to detail, creative problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and a connection to the human experience, an English degree stands strong both individually and as a companion major, enhancing careers in business, social sciences, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Why Study English At Valpo?

Valpo’s bachelor of arts in English language and literature deep dives into the transformative power of literature, storytelling, and the written word, and the connections each has to our everyday lives. Our curriculum is built on influential literary works of the past and present, digital humanities, cinema studies, theater, and game narrative and design. Here, a major in English goes beyond the surface to reveal the beauty and practicality within our expressions – utilizing skills treasured across entire industries.

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About Our English Degree

Many careers are open to students who graduate with a major in English. Medical and law schools appreciate a strong background in English. Top business executives want associates who are skilled at oral and written expression. Communications specialists in all fields require excellent analytic, research, and writing skills, as well as proficiency in digital and social media. Some students even choose to become middle and high school teachers by complementing their English major with an education minor on our pathway to secondary education licensure. The study of English can equip you for all of these things.

General Information

Careers

Whether you aspire to write the next best-selling novel, design roleplaying games, direct films, or educate the writers of tomorrow, this major has the tools you need to radiate in your goals. 97.6% of English studies graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation – enjoying a median annual wage of $60,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Careers in English:

Attorney
Content marketing specialist
Creative director
Editor
Educator
Game designer
Government official
Journalist
Library and information scientist
Medical writer
Non-profit leader
Public relations specialist
Social media manager
Technical writer
University leader

Versatile in nature, English language and literature graduates hone their connection to the human condition in order to relate to wider audiences and shine as effective communicators. These essential skills allow them to illuminate roles in human resources, library and information science, ministry, law, business, and the arts.

Careers in Business:

If you plan a career in business, you may well prefer a background in business administration, but you should also be able to analyze, assimilate, and communicate a large variety of information. For this, English offers excellent preparation. (The interested student might consider the English major and the liberal arts business minor: see the General Catalog.) In short, job possibilities for the English major are almost unlimited.

Our graduates have become successful attorneys, ministers, journalists, researchers, communication specialists in business, health care, and non-profit sectors, specialists in library and information science, creative writers, and grant writers. Additional Careers include:

Advertising
Computer Programming
Copy Writing
Digital and Broadcast Media
Human Resources
Information Management Banking
Insurance (sales, claims, underwriting)
Library and Information Science
Professional and Technical Writing
Project Designing
Systems Analysis

Core Requirements

Valpo’s English language and literature curriculum takes root in our universal liberal arts core. Starting year one with the Valparaiso University Experience (VUE), students shine brighter in their studies with the skills of critical thinking, cultural awareness, and empathy. These hallmark Valpo values lay the groundwork for English language and literature students to master the communicative skills and insight needed to excel in their profession.

Major Requirements

Major Requirements	(Minimum 33 Credits)
ENGL 180	Gateways to Interpretation Experience	3 Cr.
ENGL 208	Methods of Literary Criticism and Research	3 Cr.
ENGL 493	Seminar in English Literature	3 Cr.

Take one course from the following options:
ENGL 200	Literary Studies	3 Cr.
ENGL 201	Introduction to Creative Writing	3 Cr.
ENGL 270	Introduction to Cinema Studies	3 Cr.
ENGL 280	Topics in Writing	3 Cr.
ENGL 296	Traditions of Giving and Serving in American Life	3 Cr.

Take one course from the following options:
ENGL 309	Literature of the Medieval Period	3 Cr.
ENGL 320	Literature of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries	3 Cr.
ENGL 330	Literature of the Restoration and Eighteenth Century	3 Cr.
ENGL 350	British Literature of the Nineteenth Century	3 Cr.
ENGL 410	Shakespeare	3 Cr.
ENGL 456	The Novel	3 Cr.

Take one course from the following options:
ENGL 312	American Literature I	3 Cr.
ENGL 313	American Literature II	3 Cr.
ENGL 370	Modern and Contemporary Fiction	3 Cr.
ENGL 372	Modern and Contemporary Drama	3 Cr.
ENGL 375	Modern and Contemporary Poetry	3 Cr.

Take one course from the following options:
ENGL 311	New Literacies, Technology, and Cultures Of Writing	3 Cr.
ENGL 341	History of the English Language	3 Cr.
ENGL 342	Grammar, Style, and Editing	3 Cr.
ENGL 343	Introduction to Linguistics	3 Cr.
ENGL 344	Sociolinguistics: Language Across Cultures	3 Cr.
ENGL 368	Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages: Theory and Methods I	3 Cr.
ENGL 431	Advanced Writing and Rhetoric	3 Cr.
ENGL 440	Multimedia Writing and Design	3 Cr.

Take one course from the following options:
ENGL 2600	Cross-Cultural Narratives	3 Cr.
ENGL 360	Cross-Cultural Engagement: English Studies	3 Cr.

9 additional credits in English numbered 200 and above
Take any three English courses numbered 200 and above. English 200: Literary Studies can be taken for credit more than once if the topics are different.

Minor Requirements

On-Campus Opportunites

Real-World Experience

English Department

Meet Our Faculty

Our faculty members are well-educated, experienced, and versatile. We have areas of scholarly specialization and publish in our fields, yet teach, with equal facility, introductory courses and more advanced courses in language and literature. Many of us have been nominated for or received teaching awards; our classes tend to be small, student-centered, and discussion-based. Browse our faculty pages for more about us and our relationship to the department and the university.

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