Bachelor of Arts in English

Western New England University

The English major at Western New England University prepares students to read carefully, think critically, and communicate persuasively. Our majors become engaged, independent thinkers with the discipline to shape their own insights into meaningful creative and scholarly work. The result is a set of versatile skills that serve our graduates well in a wide variety of fields including education, journalism and publishing, law, and business. The English major is more than just reading and writing. It is the understanding of history, critical thinking, and the English language. English literature is not only about the plot of the story, but also the time period, character development, and social commentary of the era. By pursuing a degree in English, not only will you have a better understanding of the world around you, you will also develop important skills employers look for, including writing, reading with a critical eye, and communication.You will focus on literature, the structure and history of the English language, and expository and creative writing. An in-depth study of the major texts in the English language, as well as translations of non-English works, is the primary emphasis of the major. You’ll take a variety of courses including Literary Theory, Shakespeare, Major Authors, Literary Periods and Movements, and Cultural Studies. If teaching English is your interest, you may pursue a degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English to earn the necessary qualifications.

College of Arts and Sciences