English

Overview

What do Steam Punk, Shakespeare, Graphic Novels, Creative Nonfiction, Toni Morrison, Language Endangerment and Death, Whitman and Dickinson, Young Adult Literature, Literary Editing, African American Poetry and Folklore, and the Rhetoric of Videogames have in common? All are courses offered by the Department of English Language and Literature.

English majors find their coursework to be both practical and pleasurable, an appropriate mix of traditional and contemporary classes that span the breadth of English studies. At SIUE, faculty members pride themselves on being strong teachers, and our curriculum reflects changing approaches to 21st-century English studies.

Technological and economic trends often shift abruptly and dramatically, but students prepared in English language and literature find that the abilities they have developed never grow obsolete. English majors possess the ultimate transferable skills—critical thinking, careful reasoning and effective writing—and they are equipped for change, with the capacity to acquire new knowledge and technical expertise. Our students are experienced in synthesizing complex material and are able to respond with clarity and precision.

English majors satisfy their love of reading while being challenged intellectually as they encounter some of the greatest works written in or translated into the English language. Our students learn how to write persuasively for a variety of audiences, expand their understanding of the English language, and develop their creativity and cultural awareness by choosing from course offerings in a variety of areas, including:

Creative writing
Linguistics
Literature
Rhetoric and Writing

The English department also offers minor programs in these four areas of study.

What can I do with a degree in English?

English majors are well prepared for a variety of employment opportunities. Graduates can pursue careers as freelance writers or editors, and English majors are well prepared for graduate studies in business, law and library science.

Nearly every company, agency, institution and organization produces documents, maintains a web presence and uses social media, which creates a demand for researchers, editors and creative and technical writers. Employers are seeking graduates with critical thinking skills and the ability to communicate effectively. Essentially, they are looking for English majors!

Teaching High School English

For those interested in a career as a high school English teacher, we offer a fully accredited, four-year program of study leading to professional educator licensure (grades 9-12). Students who wish to pursue the English major with a concentration in secondary English language arts should note that the four-year requirements are different. Please contact Prof. Jill Anderson at jiander@siue.edu as soon as possible after SIUE admission to discuss your program of study.