The English Major at Wheaton has a long tradition of valuing literature and writing. It is designed to prepare you to pursue your chosen vocations with competence and versatility. Its goal is that you will enjoy good literature and write clear, coherent prose, as well as better understand the relation of literature to biblical truth.
Courses of Study
There are three different courses of study within the English Major:
- The English Major includes a solid overview of classical, British, and American literature and allows for individual choices within a range of categories from period courses, figure courses, and special topics. All students take a senior seminar, which focuses on the interrelationship of literature and theory from a Christian perspective. Minimum of 36 hours.
- The English Major with a Writing Concentration. This option includes 26 hours in literature and a focused 16 hours in upper division writing courses, including options in creative writing, creative non-fiction, poetry, fiction, plus a range of varied courses under the special topics heading. Students in this concentration take a specialized senior seminar which focuses on the interrelationship between writing and the Christian faith. As a part of the senior seminar, students will complete a portfolio of their own writing. Minimum of 42 hours.
- The English Major with Teaching Concentration. This option provides a clearly-articulated curriculum leading to state certification in teaching English. Students take a specialized set of courses in both English and education. As a part of the program, students enroll in courses in English teaching methods and in the methods and pedagogy of teaching writing. All candidates for this program spend time in the schools observing, doing a methods practicum, and student teaching. Minimum of 38 hours in English courses, plus meeting all of the requirements through the Education Department for secondary certification.
Opportunities for English Majors
We hope all students in the department consider going on Wheaton-in-England during their time at Wheaton. It is an eight-week summer program offering eight to ten hours of English credit. Although the program varies somewhat from year to year, the basic program includes three elements: one to two weeks of classes on Wheaton's campus prior to embarking for England, seven to ten days in London, and three to four weeks at St. Anne's College, Oxford. The group also goes on numerous one-day field trips to various literary sites and on an extended northern excursion, which includes the Lake District. Usually the program includes an extended southern excursion as well, although it occasionally substitutes an extended visit to Ireland, Scotland, or Wales.
Each year the department invites noted scholars and writers in the field to give lectures or readings on campus. Such visits enrich the curriculum and provide models of how Christian scholars and writers have integrated their faith into their professional work. Recent visitors have included Kathleen Norris, Frederick Buechner, Walter Wangerin, John Leax, Judson Mitcham, Walford and Hazel Davies, Jeanne Murray Walker, Dana Gioa, and James Schaap, among others.
Majors in the department may take an internship, which provides an opportunity to integrate actual work experience with academic learning. Students do 40 hours of work for 1 hour of credit and typically take the internship for either 2 or 4 hours. Students may count up to 8 hours of internship credit toward the major, beyond the minimum requirements. Recent internships have been in the area of writing and publishing, though other options are available.
The Honors Program at Wheaton is an option in many departments for those who qualify. This program provides an opportunity for in-depth independent work, culminating in an honors paper, which is defended orally before a faculty committee. Students who complete this program successfully receive the designation of department honors on their transcript and on the printed graduation program.
Study Abroad:
The department encourages qualified majors to consider a semester abroad. Information from various programs is available in the department office. One highly recommended program is the Medieval and Renaissance Honors Program through Keble College,Oxford, sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Many majors have been accepted into the program and have recommended it with enthusiasm to others.
Campus Publications:
The College publishes a weekly newspaper, a yearbook, and a literary magazine. Editors for these publications are chosen from among the student body and receive stipends for their work. Many positions are open on all of these publications, and English majors have made strong contributions in the past. The literary magazine, Kodon, regularly welcomes submissions of original work in poetry, fiction, and art.
The English Department sponsors two on-campus writing contests during the year: the Lowell-Grabill Creative Writing Contest, which invites entries in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, and the Jameson Essay Writing Contest, which invites entries which integrate faith and a particular discipline. There are cash awards for both of these contests.