The major program in English stresses writing skills and the critical analysis of literary works. The approach is both textual and historical, so that majors will come to understand the ways in which language works to construct as well as reflect cultures. Though the program primarily focuses on American and British works and writers, majors will have opportunities to study other literatures and will be encouraged to do so.?

The critical and analytic skills required to complete this major, along with the historical and cultural perspectives that literary study fosters, will help prepare students for a wide range of careers.? Careers that English majors characteristically pursue include law, teaching, Internet writing and design, journalism and publishing, sales and marketing, advertising and public relations, management and administration, public service, religion, and research.? The program in English is also designed to serve students in their efforts to become attentive and articulate citizens.

We focus on creative and critical writing linked to the close reading of texts and put students in conversation with the voices of the past and present.

Our ?Living Writers? and ?Writers at Muhlenberg? series bring to campus contemporary authors, both established and emerging. The student literary magazine MUSES and our new online ?zine POPPED offer valuable outlets for publication as well as crucial experience in Internet design and editing.

Many of our courses are also ?Writing Intensive,? with limited enrollment, and stress writing and revision as modes of thinking about literature. We provide a capstone experience in senior seminars and offer the possibility of Honors Theses for qualified students. In recent years the department has become increasingly interdisciplinary, forging dynamic connections with Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Along with graduate study, our majors pursue careers in law, teaching, journalism, publishing management, advertising and public relations. Our students are nuanced thinkers, astute readers, and excellent writers who are able to reflect on complex problems and see them in new ways.