English Language and Literature
Equipping students with unparalleled attention to detail, creative problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and a connection to the human experience, an English degree stands strong both individually and as a companion major, enhancing careers in business, social sciences, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
About Our English Degree
Many careers are open to students who graduate with a major in English. Medical and law schools appreciate a strong background in English. Top business executives want associates who are skilled at oral and written expression. Communications specialists in all fields require excellent analytic, research, and writing skills, as well as proficiency in digital and social media. Some students even choose to become middle and high school teachers by complementing their English major with an education minor on our pathway to secondary education licensure. The study of English can equip you for all of these things.
General Information
Whether you aspire to write the next best-selling novel, design roleplaying games, direct films, or educate the writers of tomorrow, this major has the tools you need to radiate in your goals. 97.6% of English studies graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation – enjoying a median annual wage of $60,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Careers in English:
- Attorney
- Content marketing specialist
- Creative director
- Editor
- Educator
- Game designer
- Government official
- Journalist
- Library and information scientist
- Medical writer
- Non-profit leader
- Public relations specialist
- Social media manager
- Technical writer
- University leader
Versatile in nature, English language and literature graduates hone their connection to the human condition in order to relate to wider audiences and shine as effective communicators. These essential skills allow them to illuminate roles in human resources, library and information science, ministry, law, business, and the arts.
Careers in Business:
If you plan a career in business, you may well prefer a background in business administration, but you should also be able to analyze, assimilate, and communicate a large variety of information. For this, English offers excellent preparation. (The interested student might consider the English major and the liberal arts business minor: see the General Catalog.) In short, job possibilities for the English major are almost unlimited.
Our graduates have become successful attorneys, ministers, journalists, researchers, communication specialists in business, health care, and non-profit sectors, specialists in library and information science, creative writers, and grant writers. Additional Careers include:
- Advertising
- Computer Programming
- Copy Writing
- Digital and Broadcast Media
- Human Resources
- Information Management Banking
- Insurance (sales, claims, underwriting)
- Library and Information Science
- Professional and Technical Writing
- Project Designing
- Systems Analysis
Valpo’s English language and literature curriculum takes root in our universal liberal arts core. Starting year one with the Valparaiso University Experience (VUE), students shine brighter in their studies with the skills of critical thinking, cultural awareness, and empathy. These hallmark Valpo values lay the groundwork for English language and literature students to master the communicative skills and insight needed to excel in their profession.
| Major Requirements | (Minimum 33 Credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 180 | Gateways to Interpretation Experience | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 208 | Methods of Literary Criticism and Research | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 493 | Seminar in English Literature | 3 Cr. |
| Take one course from the following options: | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 200 | Literary Studies | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 201 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 270 | Introduction to Cinema Studies | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 280 | Topics in Writing | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 296 | Traditions of Giving and Serving in American Life | 3 Cr. |
| Take one course from the following options: | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 309 | Literature of the Medieval Period | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 320 | Literature of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 330 | Literature of the Restoration and Eighteenth Century | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 350 | British Literature of the Nineteenth Century | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 410 | Shakespeare | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 456 | The Novel | 3 Cr. |
| Take one course from the following options: | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 312 | American Literature I | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 313 | American Literature II | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 370 | Modern and Contemporary Fiction | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 372 | Modern and Contemporary Drama | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 375 | Modern and Contemporary Poetry | 3 Cr. |
| Take one course from the following options: | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 311 | New Literacies, Technology, and Cultures Of Writing | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 341 | History of the English Language | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 342 | Grammar, Style, and Editing | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 343 | Introduction to Linguistics | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 344 | Sociolinguistics: Language Across Cultures | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 368 | Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages: Theory and Methods I | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 431 | Advanced Writing and Rhetoric | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 440 | Multimedia Writing and Design | 3 Cr. |
| Take one course from the following options: | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 2600 | Cross-Cultural Narratives | 3 Cr. |
| ENGL 360 | Cross-Cultural Engagement: English Studies | 3 Cr. |
| 9 additional credits in English numbered 200 and above |
|---|
| Take any three English courses numbered 200 and above. English 200: Literary Studies can be taken for credit more than once if the topics are different. |
This is our most flexible minor, which pairs nicely with majors in education, communication, creative writing, business, and liberal arts.
To view a list of English Language and Literature minor requirements, visit the catalog.
On-Campus Opportunites
Our Beacons gain real-world editing experience at The Torch, our student-run campus newspaper, and literary publications like The Lighter and Valparaiso Fiction Review
English Department
Meet Our Faculty
Our faculty members are well-educated, experienced, and versatile. We have areas of scholarly specialization and publish in our fields, yet teach, with equal facility, introductory courses and more advanced courses in language and literature. Many of us have been nominated for or received teaching awards; our classes tend to be small, student-centered, and discussion-based. Browse our faculty pages for more about us and our relationship to the department and the university.
College of Arts and SCiences
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