What makes this program special?
The B.A. in English with a concentration in Literature offers students an extensive background in British and American literature, as well as cutting edge classes in post-colonial and global literature, literary theory, trans-Atlantic literature, Appalachian literature, and more.  English majors concentrating in literature gain rich exposure to literary history, texts, movements, and authors.  Additionally, English students develop the writing and critical thinking skills so valued by employers.  These are, in fact, skills for life.  Recent studies by Penn State University show that, of all liberal arts graduates in a recent year, English majors report the highest degree of job satisfaction.

Are there any additional admission requirements?  
The Literature concentration is open to all students who are in good standing.

What scholarship monies are available?
All students are considered for merit-based scholarships at the time of admission.  Additional scholarships are available based on FAFSA information.  A complete list of available scholarship can be found in the undergraduate catalog, which includes scholarships specifically aimed at English students like the Helen Ramsey Brown Scholarship, the Katherine Causey Award, and the Crum Scholarship Fund.  For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

What will I be able to do with this degree when I graduate?
An English degree prepares students for many different career alternatives by developing their communication skills and their critical thinking skills.  English students find careers in the fields of editing and publishing, creative writing, grant writing and nonprofit organizations, journalism, high tech communications, teaching, and business.  Western’s English students also go to law school or pursue graduate study in English at schools like University of Tennessee, UNC Greensboro, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, University of Kentucky, Texas A&M, and the University of Nevada at Reno.

What are the professors like?
Western’s English faculty are focused on providing the very best learning experience to students through small classes, cutting edge content, technology, discussion formats, and experiential learning.  Several English professors have won the most prestigious teaching awards at Western and in the UNC system.  They can offer students such engaging teaching because they are also active scholars who publish articles and books in their fields, as well as present their research at national academic conferences.

What are the students in the program doing?
Western English students give presentations about their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR).  Last year NCUR took place in Asheville, NC, and English students gave presentations on topics ranging from Toni Morrison to Shakespeare to hip hop culture.  Western also sponsors an undergraduate research conference on its campus. English students are studying abroad.  One group of students recently traveled to Rome, Paris, and London as part of a class on the Renaissance, and a second group studying the American expatriate writers traveled around France and Spain.  This year Western is sponsoring a student slam poetry team, and students can try out for that team and participate in monthly slams.  English students are also winning prizes for their writing, including a prestigious national award from the National Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), for a short story by an English major.  Additionally, one English class wrote, edited, and named Western’s first undergraduate research magazine, known as Imagine.  English students also take part in local service work like cleaning up the Tuckeseegee River, working on Habitat for Humanity projects, and providing writing assistance for local nonprofit organizations.

Will I be able to participate in internships, clubs and other extracurricular opportunities?
English students may join the English Club, which has group activities throughout the year.  They can also choose to work on Western’s literary magazine, The Nomad, through contributing creative writing or editing the journal.  Upper-level students may be invited to join Sigma Tau Delta, the international honor society for English students.  Additionally, the English Department sponsors the Spring Literary Festival which brings nationally known writers to campus, offering opportunities for students to hear them read, as well as meet them and discuss their work.  Recent festivals have brought renowned writers like Jim Harrison, Maxine Kumin, Sherman Alexie, David Sedaris, Gish Jen, Sonia Sanchez, and national poet laureate Ted Kooser.  Western also sponsors a spoken word poetry series, bringing young poets like Saul Williams and Asia, both of whom have performed on HBO’s Def Poetry, to campus.

Contact

Dr. Annette Debo
E-mail: adebo@wcu.edu
phone: 828-227-3919
Visit the English Website

Download the PDF version
Download Acrobat Reader to read PDFs.