2025-2026 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
English
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 Return to: Majors, Minors, and Certificates
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
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
Yin Yuan, PhD, Assistant 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:
- SITUATE texts in their broad historical, cultural, and/or literary context. This serves as an indicator of informed, active reading.
- APPLY appropriate methods of inquiry, theoretical approaches, and/or interpretive strategies when analyzing texts.
- COMPOSE effective writing to strategically meet specific goals, audiences, and/or situations (academic, professional, social, public, artistic).
- COMPOSE clear writing that synthesizes scholarly perspectives with analysis and reasoning in order to make an extended argument.
- EVALUATE how texts reflect, reinforce, and/or challenge notions of diversity and difference, applying critical frameworks to their assessments.
English SSTE Credential Pathway
This major has an integrated Single Subject Teacher Education (SSTE) pathway to prepare future middle and high school classroom teachers. The integrated program of study enables students to graduate with their BAs and a CA teaching credential in 4 years. See Teacher Education: Single Subject Teacher Education Pathways for detailed information on credential courses.
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.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsMinorCoursesCreative Writing - Lower DivisionCreative Writing - Upper DivisionEnglish - Lower DivisionEnglish - Upper Division
Return to: Majors, Minors, and Certificates
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