English

In small, discussion-based classes led by a faculty of accomplished scholars and writers, Saint Mary’s English majors study the rich and diverse literature of the English-speaking cultures of the world.

As an English major, you will work closely with your professors, reading, contemplating and writing about the principal genres of literature and the related medium of film. The critical thinking and writing skills an English major develops can be applied in a wide range of professions. Some of our graduates head for careers in teaching, writing and the arts. Many head into the law. Some have published books soon after graduating. Others apply their critical and creative skills to careers in high tech.

Faculty

Chris Feliciano Arnold, MFA, Director of MFA in Creative Writing

Marilyn Abildskov, MFA, Professor

Sunayani Bhattacharya, PhD, Associate Professor

Robert E. Gorsch, PhD, Professor

Jeannine M. King, PhD, Professor

Emily Klein, PhD, Professor

Kathryn S. Koo, PhD, Professor

Hilda H. Ma, PhD, Professor

Lisa Manter, PhD, Professor

Molly Metherd, PhD, Professor

Meghan A. Sweeney, PhD, Associate Professor

Yin Yuan, PhD, Assistant Professor

Matthew Zapruder, MFA, Professor

Carol L. Beran, PhD, Professor Emerita

Edward Biglin, PhD, Professor Emeritus

David J. DeRose, PhD, Professor Emeritus

Jeanne Foster, PhD, Professor Emerita

Sandra Anne Grayson, PhD, Professor Emerita

Carol S. Lashof, PhD, Professor Emerita

Phyllis L. Stowell, PhD, Professor Emerita

Brenda L. Hillman, MFA, Professor Emeritus

Ben Xu, PhD, Professor Emeritus

Learning Outcomes

When students have completed a program of study in English, they should be able to:

ENGAGE in informed, active reading, bringing to bear a broad base of literary, historical and cultural knowledge.
READ critically a wide range of literary texts, with an awareness of the theoretical assumptions behind various interpretive strategies, and the ability to choose appropriate methods of inquiry and to formulate clear questions.
APPLY a variety of reading strategies, combining critical detachment with the intellectual, imaginative, and emotional engagement necessary for appreciation.
WRITE clear, well-reasoned prose for a variety of situations (academic, professional, social) for a variety of audiences and support their arguments with appropriate, thoughtfully analyzed evidence.
CONVERSE articulately about texts and interpretations, understanding that interpretation is often a dialogic, collaborative process.
EVALUATE critically how texts engage notions of diversity and difference.

4+1 Program

English majors may participate in the Justice, Community and Leadership (JCL) 4+1 program by declaring a Single Subject 4+1 minor in JCL. Students who successfully complete both the major and JCL 4+1 minor are permitted to enroll in the Kalmanovitz School of Education credentialing courses and work towards a Masters in Teaching by fulfilling additional coursework and research components.

Special Note:

Students who successfully complete two years in the Integral Program before declaring an English major are exempt from the department’s “Literature before 1800” requirement.

Prerequisite Grade

Any course listed in this department with a prerequisite assumes a grade of C- or better in the prerequisite course.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Minor

Courses

English - Lower Division

English - Upper Division