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English (BA)

BACHELOR OF ARTS MAJOR IN ENGLISH

Major Credits Required: 49-57 Credits

English majors study poetry, novels, films, plays, short stories, sit-coms, and songs—all the oral, written, and visual texts through which humans express meaning. English majors develop their creativity, their oral and written communication skills, and their powers of persuasion and critical thinking, preparing themselves for careers in fields such as business, law, education, professional and technical writing, journalism, advertising, and publishing. The English department is often approached by prospective students and their families who ask, “What can you do with an English degree?” A better question might be, “What can’t you do with an English degree?” In terms of future careers, students are only limited by their own imaginations. Writing, research, and critical thinking skills are essential to high-level work in almost every business or institution. This is good news for HPU English majors and writing minors.

To complete the bachelor's degree, students must complete a minimum total of 120 credits with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who major in English will:

  1. Demonstrate transferable analytical skills such as the ability to summarize, interpret, and evaluate complex texts.

  2. Demonstrate transferable communication skills such as writing clearly and persuasively, revising and editing their own and others’ writing, and making effective oral presentations.

  3. Employ appropriate research methods to locate and evaluate information and will effectively present their own arguments with support from primary and secondary texts.

  4. Recognize and analyze various textual forms and strategies in academic and creative genres.

  5. Employ various textual strategies in academic and creative genres.

  6. Examine the ways in which texts shape and/or are shaped by history, culture, and context.

  7. Respond to and analyze diverse texts from various cultures.

  8. Articulate or identify important theoretical concepts and approaches and apply them in interpreting or analyzing texts.