The major allows students to build a course of study that attends to the complexity of texts in their historical, cultural, and formal contexts. Our faculty publish and teach courses on British and American Literary Periods and Authors; Postcolonial Ethnic, and Critical Race Studies; Genre Studies; Creative Writing and Rhetoric; Critical Theory; Studies in Gender and Sexuality; and Cultural, Media, and Performance Studies.

All English courses have as a goal the development of students' abilities as close readers and cogent writers; they place heavy emphasis on critical thinking, interpretive sophistication, awareness of aesthetic and cultural issues, and effective speaking and writing. Courses often encourage students to connect their study to other disciplines at Georgetown. Students will also find a strong grounding for continued study in graduate school as well as valuable preparation for various professions and professional schools, for example law, medicine, and business.

The English major program begins during the sophomore year. First-year students interested in the program should consult their first-year English professors. Departmental advisers are available to all English majors.