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.
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.
Major
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.
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. As much research and writing
has shifted online, Berry students are also
prepared to navigate the digital age.
Secondary education double major
If you want to teach English in grades
7-12, you should combine the English
major with a secondary education major.
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.
Recommended studies for students
planning to teach include linguistics,
studies in Shakespeare, young adult
literature and writing. If you choose to
major also in education, you will begin
taking your education courses in either
your freshman or sophomore year.
Creative Writing
Students interested in majoring in
English may also want to consider a
major in Creative Writing. This major
fuses academic literary study and creative
studio work with experiential learning
focusing on nature and culture, cultivating
an awareness of how writing emerges
from the intersection of self and place.
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
English is a versatile major which
prepares students for a diversity of
careers. Because graduates skilled in
research, textual analysis, critical thinking
and writing have a competitive edge in
today’s job market, 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. Of course English majors
also become teachers, writers and editors.