English
Academic programs
Undergraduate programs
English
An English major is a humanities degree with strong emphasis on reading and writing. Students are challenged to think deeply about what they read and observe, organize their thoughts, and develop arguments. Communication, creative thinking and problem-solving skills make them attractive to employers and graduate schools.
Education
Undergrad major Teacher licenseThis major prepares students to become dynamic English Language Arts (ELA) teachers who can meet the needs of adolescent learners at both the middle and high school levels. Faculty guide students through rigorous coursework in fields such as literature, writing, linguistics, and ELA pedagogy. Students receive personalized mentoring throughout multiple field experience and student teaching semesters. English education majors who meet the necessary criteria graduate with a license to teach grades 4-12 in the state of Wisconsin.
Language & Literature
Undergrad minorThe English language and literature minor provides a foundation in English Language Arts-related topics and is especially relevant for students who plan to teach in the middle grades or overseas. It addresses issues of literary analysis, linguistics, writing instruction, and literature with particular attention to young adult literature.
Emphasis
Literary & Cultural Studies
Undergrad major Undergrad minorThe literary and cultural studies emphasis focuses on developing critical modes of inquiry, foundational and transferable skills in writing, and innovative research focusing on the study of culture and the human condition. Cross-disciplinary conversations hone students’ abilities to analyze diverse personal, cultural, ethical, and global perspectives, and to find creative solutions to complex problems.
Emphasis
Medical Professions
Undergrad majorThe English major: medical professions emphasis combines courses from English and biology to prepare students for careers in healthcare while they also complete some of the pre-healthcare coursework, practice their writing skills, and study the human condition through narrative. These skills are essential for health-related careers focused on writing and communication.
Emphasis
Writing & Rhetoric Studies
Undergrad majorIn the writing and rhetoric emphasis students are empowered to examine and shape the world through writing. They develop high-demand written communication skills, gain experience working in teams, learn digital writing technologies, and address diverse audience needs.
Professional & Technical Writing
Undergrad minor Undergrad certificateProfessional and technical writing is written communication within an organization for a specific purpose, typically aligned with the organization’s goals. Professional writers can translate complex information into easy-to-digest prose. This writing may appear in technical documents, newsletters, reports, press releases, emails, messaging apps and more.
Creative Writing
Undergrad minorCreative writing is a process of creating written works including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, screen writing, stage writing or play writing. Creative writing starts with the generation of an idea. It continues with composing, revising, and publishing creative pieces.
Linguistics
Undergrad minorLinguistics is the scientific study of human language. We are used to studying language from a humanistic perspective. Linguistics applies scientific methodology to language with the goal of understanding how human language works — cognitively, biologically, physically and socially.
ENGLISH MAJORS
English Majors
This major prepares students to become dynamic English Language Arts (ELA) teachers who can meet the needs of adolescent learners at both the middle and high school levels. English Education faculty guide students through rigorous coursework in multiple fields of inquiry (including literature, writing, linguistics, and ELA pedagogy) and provide personalized mentoring throughout multiple field experience and student teaching semesters. Most importantly, English Education majors who meet the necessary criteria graduate with a license to teach grades 4-12 in the state of Wisconsin—and our program has maintained an outstanding job placement rate over the past few years.
Literary and Cultural Studies majors develop critical modes of inquiry, foundational and transferable skills in writing, and innovative research focusing on the study of culture and the human condition. Cross-disciplinary conversations hone students’ abilities to analyze diverse personal, cultural, ethical, and global perspectives, and to find creative solutions to complex problems.
This major provides students with the knowledge, skills, and flexibility necessary to succeed in rapidly-changing, global environments. Students are empowered to examine and shape the world through writing. They develop high-demand written communication skills, gain experience working in teams, learn digital writing technologies, and address diverse audience needs. Students complete a senior capstone project, create a writing portfolio, and are encouraged to pursue internships and undergraduate research. Writing and Rhetoric is also a great option as a second major because many careers require expertise in written communication, persuasion, and analysis.
The English for Medical Professions emphasis combines courses from English and Biology to prepare students for careers in healthcare while they also complete some of the pre-healthcare coursework, practice their writing skills, and study the human condition through narrative.
These skills are essential for health-related careers focused on writing and communication. The emphasis also dovetails nicely with existing science and pre-health tracks in other majors, and provides an advantage to UWL students entering into clinical health programs.
English majors take a core set of classes that introduce students to the variety of disciplines in English Studies. Students then complete coursework in a major emphasis area and finalize their experience through a capstone project and an exit portfolio. In these courses, students make progress toward the following learning outcomes:
- Identify and investigate enduring questions, concepts, and theories relevant to English Studies.
- Analyze, interpret, and critique a variety of texts and media.
- Situate diverse authors and genres within and across cultural contexts.
- Describe and analyze how language works socially, historically, and systematically.
- Use individual and collaborative writing processes to create effective texts in a range of genres.
- Articulate how English Studies applies to their personal, professional, and civic lives.
- Engage ethically with communities and audiences both inside and outside the university.
ENGLISH MINORS
English Minors
Students develop creative-thinking skills that emphasize the value of innovation and collaboration. Creative writing classrooms are supportive communities that foster the development of diverse voices, each member committed to helping one another improve as writers, readers, and creative thinkers. In composing original stories, scripts, and poems, students learn to apply literary techniques used by classical and contemporary authors. Hands-on experiences in publishing are available, as well as opportunities to work on (or be published in) the student journal, The Catalyst.
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguists apply scientific methodology to language with the goal of understanding how human language works – cognitively, biologically, physically, and socially. Even though linguists are scientists of language, language is ultimately a social tool. The linguistics minor bridges the social and cultural aspects of linguistics with the more structural, systematic aspects of the study. Students from a wide variety of majors take linguistics to complement their field of study.
Literary and Cultural Studies minors encounter and interpret a variety of texts representing a range of human experience and expression. Students engage in interdisciplinary conversations about complex social structures, individual decisions, and human delights and dilemmas, while gaining transferable skills in writing, critical thinking, and analysis. The minor is a strong complement to major programs leading to a variety of career paths, including medicine, law, human services, business, education, and communication.
Students develop high-demand skills in written communication for professional and technical contexts:
- Communicating an organization’s goals and objectives to a range of stakeholders, including professional and public audiences
- Explaining technical and specialized topics
- Designing and delivering information in a way that meets the needs of specific users and organizations
- Using a range of technologies to complete written communication projects
- Working collaboratively and using project management strategies
The English language and literature minor provides a foundation in English Language Arts-related topics. It is a general English minor that addresses issues of literary analysis, linguistics, writing instruction, and literature with particular attention to young adult literature. It is especially relevant for students who plan to teach in the middle grades or overseas.
ENGLISH CERTIFICATE
Students develop high-demand skills in written communication for professional and technical contexts:
- Communicating an organization’s goals and objectives to a range of stakeholders, including professional and public audiences
- Explaining technical and specialized topics
- Designing and delivering information in a way that meets the needs of specific users and organizations
- Using a range of technologies to complete written communication projects
- Working collaboratively and using project management strategies