English
If you major in English at Berry College, you will be engaged in reading, analyzing, writing about and discussing a wide range of texts written in English or available in English translation. You’ll complete a 21-credit core curriculum and one of three 18-hour concentrations.
Core curriculum
The English core curriculum will introduce you to British, American and world literary traditions. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the ethical, aesthetic, intellectual and cultural issues addressed in many different types of literature from a variety of historical periods. You’ll also learn methods of literary research and analysis.
Literature concentration
The beauty and power of thought and expression, the play of word upon word, and the memorable expressions of many cultures in verse and prose are at the heart of the literature concentration.
If you select this option, you’ll gain a thorough background in English and American literature in a series of upper division courses. Seminars will enable you to focus on specific authors, genres or themes. You’ll also develop your powers of critical reading and analytical writing.
Many students completing the literature concentration go on to pursue graduate studies.
Writing concentration
This concentration emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between reading and writing, between creation and appreciation. You can select courses in introductory and advanced poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction as well as in expository writing and playwriting. Tutorials in any genre are available for advanced undergraduate writers.
Secondary education concentration
This is the concentration you are looking for if you want to teach English in grades 7-12. By combining this concentration in the English major with a secondary education minor, you will graduate ready to become a certified teacher with a special endorsement in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), as well as a strong background in English studies and excellent teacher preparation.
This concentration includes courses in linguistics, Shakespeare, adolescent literature and writing, as well as electives in literature or language. If you choose to minor in education, you will begin taking your education courses in either your freshman or sophomore year.
Visiting writers
Each year, writers of national and international reputation come to campus for readings and to meet with writing students. Recent visiting writers have included a U.S. Poet Laureate, a National Book winner and a Pulitzer Prize winning poet to name a few.
Careers for English majors
Traditional careers for English majors include teaching, writing and editing. But because graduates skilled in research, textual analysis, critical thinking and writing have a competitive edge in today’s job market, opportunities for English majors are diverse. You might pursue a career in law, advertising, publishing, public relations, teaching, technical or creative writing, public or academic administration, library science, business management, insurance, banking, corporate communications, counseling, or speech therapy.
Graduate school
Recent Berry English alumni have been accepted to such graduate schools as the University of Chicago, University of Miami, State University of New York, University of Oxford, Hollins University, Vanderbilt University, University of Virginia and University of Georgia.
More information
More information about the English department and major is available online here.