English, B.A.

English Mission Statement
The Department of English helps English majors develop the ability to discuss and analyze texts. As majors progress in their ability to demonstrate an understanding of the crafts of critical and creative writing, they will gain insight into literary tradition, the historical and cultural contexts of literature, and critical methods of reading. As their knowledge and insight grows, English majors will perfect their ability to give well-planned, engaging presentations. Finally, they will be able to identify and use a range of sources suitable to the scholarly conversation on a particular topic, to evaluate and integrate source material, and to document accurately.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss literature, including engaging in an exchange of ideas and offering and supporting insights;
2. Sustain controlled, critical arguments that analyze and synthesize texts;
3. Understand the craft of writing, including concision, diction, grammar, and syntax;
4. Begin mastering a particular genre of creative or professional writing;
5. Critique peers’ work to assist their fellow writers and improve their own revisions;
6. Identify and use a range of sources suitable to the scholarly conversation on a particular topic, to evaluate and integrate source material, and to document accurately;
7. Understand the literary tradition, the historical and cultural contexts of literature, and critical methods of reading;
8. Give well-planned, engaging presentations; and
9. Write convincingly about the art of creative writing-how it is made and why it endures.

The Westminster College English programs envision their undergraduates as scholars and writers from the beginning by placing scholarly conversation and writing at the center of its curriculums. Our programs begin with a trio of courses that introduce our students to literary studies, creative writing, and professional writing. We move on to seminars and writing workshops in the sophomore, junior, and senior years that build on the students’ increasing levels of sophistication. In the junior and senior years, our students’ work culminates in a two-semester capstone project that has both a scholarly and creative component.