A Brief History of the English Major
English studies are a discipline that encompass a wide variety of critical thinking skills as well as the ability to communicate effectively both in verbal and nonverbal communication. Initially, English studies involved the study of rhetoric, literature, oratory practice, and the composition of poetry by English authors. English departments then refocused their concentrations on various forms of writing instruction, including creative, critical and professional writing, and interpreting literary texts.
Today, colleges and universities across the country offer students the opportunity to earn an English degree within a number of different concentrations and specializations. English studies and degree programs also cover a number of different forms and genres so that students grasp a number of concepts and foundations associated with English studies. Students can also choose from a number of different degree programs and also have the option to major or minor in English should he or she wish to do so.
Delving Into the English Major
English degree programs explore a number of different fundamentals including literature, language, and writing. In order to learn about the language, literature, and different genres associated with the subject, students must take a number of informative courses on the subject matter. While specific degree requirements and courses may vary between learning institutions, most schools generally teach concepts and information relating to one another.
According to Brown University, some of the courses in their English curriculum include Introduction to Creative Nonfiction, History of the English Language, Origins of American Literature, Early and Modern Literature, Critical Reading and Writing, Journalistic Writing, News and Feature Writing, and Theories in Literature. Aside from taking courses to enrich English studies, students in English degree programs are commonly required to complete projects and assignments to learn more about what they study, and these can commonly include absorbing works of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.
Students may also be required to create, write, and present their own pieces of work, which may include sonnets, playwriting, poetry, and/or stories. Students in English degree programs will also likely be required to read textbooks or novels pertaining to what they are currently studying and are often tested on the assigned reading.
Degree Levels:
Associate
Associate degrees typically take students about two years to complete. Students studying in associate degree English programs will learn a number of skills and the knowledge they will need to begin in entry-level careers in the business and professional world.
Some of the courses students will take include those in communications, fine arts, and humanities. Students studying in this program and taking these courses will learn the basics and fundamentals of the language, literature, and how to effectively speak, write, and communicate.
Bachelor’s
Bachelor degrees in English delve more into the studies of English and generally take students about four years to complete. While the specific curriculum and degree requirements of programs may vary between learning institutions, most English courses teach the same concepts.
The courses taken in English bachelor’s degree programs give students the analytical skills in writing and literature that they will need to be successful in a number of careers. The courses will also help students improve their creativity and critical thinking skills, as the degree can often cover a wide variety of concentrations and aspects. Graduates of this program will know how to use language properly, have literary comprehensions, and advanced skills in writing and speaking.
Master’s
Master’s degrees in English typically take students between one and a half to two years to complete and go into more theories, analysis, and research into the concepts and concentrations associated with the subject. With a master’s degree in English, students learn and have more of a background in writing and publishing skills, analytical abilities, the ability to apply different techniques, and present ideas effectively.
Students will also study the theories involved with literature and literary works and will have an understanding of the evolution of the language as well as cultural history and a number of different types of literary pieces.
Doctorate
Doctorate degrees revolve around a significant amount of research and are usually pursued by individuals wanting to know about more specifics in their field in order to pursue work as a researcher or to be some type of instructor or teacher. Graduates of doctoral English degrees will have the knowledge to be able to recognize theories, criticize literature, be able to use literacy tools and cultural history in context, have a wide knowledge to the study of different genres, and be familiar with the most influential literatures.
In addition to the extensive research graduate students in English programs conduct, many schools also require that students also display proficiency in two languages and knowledge of a foreign language and its literature in order to graduate.
Supplementing Your English Major
The concentrations of an English degree are generally literature, communication, and writing. Typical courses in most English degree programs revolve around American, British, and World literature, which all have a wide variety of concepts and foundations that students need to study in order for students to be prepared to excel in the field and knowledgable in the area.
Courses in English degree programs encourage the development of the students reading, communication, writing, and critical thinking skills. Some of these courses generally include readings in world, modern, British, and American literature, creative writing, poetry writing, fiction writing, play writing, drama, and Shakespeare readings, according to the degree plan for the bachelor’s English degree at the University of Texas- Austin.
Students that wish to pursue an English degree also have the opportunity to pair their degree with a minor concentration option, which can be a good way to expand career horizons and be qualified for a larger amount of jobs. Concentrations that pair well with English degrees include marketing, communications, foreign language, or cultural studies minors.
English majors with a minor in marketing have the opportunity to follow an English major career path or also qualify for marketing and advertising related careers, while those with a minor in communications have the training needed to pursue a number of media jobs that are both English and communications related. Those students with minor concentrations in a foreign language will have the opportunity to qualify for a number of bilingual and language educator careers, while those with cultural studies minors have a good opportunity to find ESL teaching jobs, as many areas across the U.S. have a high demand for ESL teachers.
Learn More About the English Major
- U.S. News and World Report’s Best English Programs
- Introduction to the Study of Linguistics
- The Internet TESL Journal
The English Major in the Job Market
English majors will learn a number of skills and the knowledge they will need to be prepared for work and careers in a number of different fields and industries. With learning how to write, analyze and interpret information, and speak and communicate effectively, graduates are prepared for jobs in the professional and business world.
Graduates are also knowledgeable on a number of different types of literature, literary works, and have gained the ability to think critically in order to resolve everyday issues that will arise in the workplace. With the skills that students in English degree programs gain, they can pursue careers in a number of fields including (but not limited to): communications, marketing, journalism, education, and media sources. Common career paths for students with English degrees include an author, copywriter, editor, communications specialist, teacher, journalist, or technical writer, amongst a large variety of other options, according to Winthrop University.
As English majors, graduates have the creativity skills to satisfy the needs of employers working in news and media industries. In addition, an English degree can be a great stepping stone for being able to study and understand the law to pursue a law degree, which many English degree graduates go on to do. The ability to research and analyze information effectively, which is developed by students studying English degree programs, is a skill that many employers deem crucial.
Most employers also require that their employees can express themselves effectively, whether through verbal or nonverbal communication. Graduates will also have the abilities to brainstorm and come up with new ideas and have the creativity to expand on thoughts and ideas, while bringing fresh and new concepts to the work environment, which employers in a number of fields either require or consider an added bonus.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
