Literature Programs in the WMU English Department.

 

"What can I do with an English major?" The study of literature may not, at first glance, seem like a "practical" major, yet in fact it's a foundational training-ground for any career that involves the use of language or an understanding of narrative. English majors have gone into such diverse careers as government, the news and entertainment industries, journalism, higher education, and corporate business. English is perhaps the most flexible and useful of all majors, leading to a wide array of career possibilities.

 

Some Facts About English at WMU

English is among the largest departments at WMU, with some forty full-time faculty, more than 800 majors, and nearly 700 minors.  Our literature faculty are professionally active scholars who represent the broad spectrum of specializations, periods, and genres in the field of English. We have particular strengths in the areas of drama, children's and adolescent literature, and medieval/Renaissance studies. Our department also boasts one of the country's largest and most active chapters of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honors society.

 

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

For specific information on the degree-requirements for each of these programs, click the "back" button on your browser and select the "UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS" button on the department's main page.

 

MAJORS

There are four tracks for undergraduate English students to choose from, all with varied degrees of emphasis on the formal study of literature:

 

  1. Arts & Sciences. The traditional English major, consisting of 34 credit-hours emphasizing the study of British and American literature and the English language.
  2. Secondary Education. A 38-credit program similar to the A&S English major, with the addition of "methods" courses in the teaching of English at the middle school and high school levels.
  3. Creative Writing. This 34-credit program combines the study of literature and the English language with creative-writing workshops at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. 
  4. Practical and Professional Writing. A 34-credit program in which 18 credits focus on the writing of non-fiction prose, combined with some traditional coursework in the study of literature and the English language.

 

Our department also offers a number of minor programs, including:

 

  1. Arts & Sciences English minor, emphasizing the study of British and American literature.
  2. Secondary Education, including several literature classes and two "methods" courses in the pedagogy of literature and writing.
  3. Writing Emphasis, comibining creative writing workshops and/or "practical" non-fiction prose classes with traditional literary study
  4. Practical Writing combines four courses in the writing of non-fiction prose with literature courses.
  5. World Literature offers a flexible curriculum with courses in international literature in translation and in English; offered jointly through the English Department, the Department of Foreign Languages, and the Spanish Department.

 

We are in the process of designing new minors and concentrations for our students, to draw upon our faculty's strengths in drama, Cultural Studies, critical theory, and other sub-specialties.

 

For further information on our major and minor programs, please visit the English Advising Office at 623 Sprau Tower during normally scheduled advising hours. Call (269) 387-2572 for the current advising schedule.

 

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

For specific information on the degree-requirements of these programs, and on the application process, click the "back" button on your browser and select "GRADUATE PROGRAMS" on the department's main page.

 

The English Department offers several MA and PhD programs, all grounded in the intensive study of language and literature. Our programs are enhanced by the nationally-recognized journal we produce, Comparative Drama, and by our affiliation with the world-renowned Medieval Institute at WMU.

 

Master of Arts Level

  1. MA in English, a traditional program in the study of British and American literature.
  2. MFA in Creative Writing
  3. MAET, a Master of Arts with an Emphasis on Teaching

 

Philosphy Doctorate Level

  1. PhD in English, a traditional program in the advanced study of literature and the English language.
  2. PhD in Creative Writing.
  3. PhD in English Education.

 

If you are interested in applying to one of our graduate programs, , please contact the Graduate Advisor in the English Department, Jana Schulman, at english-graduate@wmich.edu.