The student drawn to the study of English as a major is usually, before anything else, someone who loves to read and write. This lover of words reads not just for information, but for the pleasure of experiencing the beauty and mystery of language and for the challenge of seeing how it shapes human thought and feeling. The English major, then, is someone interested in politics, history, psychology, religion, philosophy, science, and the arts, but particularly through the refractive lens of critical and imaginative writing.
English courses teach the skills of critical thinking, writing, and research, as well as some of the frameworks through which literature can be read. Courses are designed to help students read with comprehension and enjoyment, write with skill and grace, appreciate diverse cultures and values, understand the relationship between art and life, and discover the liberating qualities of the imagination. All courses are open to non-majors.
English majors make desirable candidates for jobs in business, industry, education, and government. Graduates of our programs have the flexibility that is increasingly necessary in the workplace of the future. The English major helps prepare students for specific careers in writing, publishing, journalism, law and teaching, and for graduate study.
Major programs in English
Students who wish to pursue the study of English have several options to choose from: (1) major in English with a concentration in literature; (2) major in theatre and English; (3) major in English with secondary education certification; or, (4) major in English with a concentration in creative or professional writing. The requirements for these majors are summarized below. A student interested in one of these programs should consult with a member of the department. Those interested in the concentration in creative or professional writing should see Ms. Vivian Teter, who directs this track.
Internships for English majors
Internships may be taken by English majors who have completed 12 semester hours of English at Virginia Wesleyan College.
The internship must be approved by the student’s adviser and the program coordinator in an organization approved by the department. In the past few years, internships have been approved for such organizations as the Space and Naval Warfare Command, the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, and PortFolio Weekly Magazine.
Major(s): English with a concentration in literature,
Theatre and English, English with a secondary certification, English with
a concentration in creative writing
Minor(s): English