English Major | Houghton University

Read and discuss great literary works and develop your skill of interpretation and analysis

Skills in analytical thinking, writing, and research are essential for careers in business, education, media, law, and ministry. The English Major at Houghton University will give you the opportunity to develop and sharpen these skills by training you to analyze a variety of genres from different eras and engage with both the great works of the past and new voices of the contemporary world.

In discussing and researching literature of the past and present, you will learn how to shape and support an effective analytical argument that will be useful in any career field. The English Major will prepare you for any vocation in need of thoughtful readers and strong writers.

Classes Careers Meet the Faculty

Be a part of excursions in the literary world

Exercise your analytical skills and write for conferences, theatres, and on-campus organizations such as:

Taylor Making Literature Conference
Calvin Festival of Faith & Writing
National Undergrad Research Conference
Penn York Undergrad Research Conference
Lyric Theatre at Houghton University
Shake on the Lake in Perry, NY
Stratford Festival (Shakespeare) in Stratford, Ontario, Canada
The Houghton Star (student newspaper)
The Lantern (student literary journal)
serve as a trained consultant in the Writing Center

Engage in a tight-knit campus community

Get one-on-one feedback from faculty and fellow students in small classes. In discussing and researching literature of the past and present, you will learn how to shape and support an effective analytical argument useful in many career fields. The English major will prepare you for jobs that need thoughtful readers and strong writers.

What will I learn?

By majoring in English, you will develop your critical analysis and interpretation of language as you:

Work alongside fellow students and faculty members as you reflect on language’s role in history, culture, and faith.
Engage with authors who share in the human experience of brokenness and redemption while being challenged to understand others with empathy and compassion.
Collaborate with your peers on developing your writing and sharpening your thinking. Meet regularly with your professors for one-on-one conferences and get feedback on your writing.

124 Credits

34

Required Courses

90

Elective Courses and General Education

Degree Requirements

Meet a Faculty Member

Tight-Knit Community

With most classes of 15 students or fewer, the English major facilitates a close community where you can interact one-on-one with faculty as well as create connections with other students in your courses.

Versatile Course Options

Research the literary greats such as the Brontë sisters and William Shakespeare alongside contemporary voices like Amanda Gorman and Naomi Shihab Nye. Learn how to shape and support an effective analytical argument while engaging with the controversies and challenges in today’s literature classroom. Prepare for vocations in teaching or other professions where thoughtful readers and strong writers are vital.

On-Campus Opportunities

Put your analytical and written skills into practice by writing for or managing our student publications, working as a consultant in our Writing Center, and interning with campus offices such as Marketing Communications.