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Why should I major in English?
English offers many rewards. Most obviously, you get to read amazing texts
and writers, from a variety of stimulating viewpoints. And as you develop your
perspectives, through writing as well as class discussions—English courses at
Villanova typically do not rely primarily on lectures—you develop your
proficiency as a reader, writer, and analytical thinker. In fact, employers in a
wide range of fields value Villanova English majors for being able to think
outside of the box and to express themselves with cogency and wit.
It is also easy to combine an English major with a concentration or minor in
Writing and Rhetoric or in Irish Studies, since English courses constitute a
large percentage of the available choices in those areas.
See also below: What’s unique about the English major at Villanova?
To read a fuller description, click here.
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What’s unique about the English major at Villanova?
As one English major puts it, “English has the coolest courses, the coolest
teachers, and the coolest students.” We would also argue that English might well
be the most enjoyable of all possible majors at Villanova, because of the wide
range of courses we offer and the inherent interest of our subject matter.
English is also one of the most versatile majors you can follow and has
practical as well as intellectual advantages. Perhaps no other major leads to so
many different job possibilities. You can do anything with an English degree.
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What are the requirements for being an English major?
As with other majors at Villanova, you need to complete 11 courses. Most of
these courses are free electives. One required course (English 2250, Ways of
Reading) fulfills the junior research requirement and the other is a senior
seminar; currently two or three senior seminars are offered each term. The department’s other
requirement—four courses chosen from a number of possibilities—are chiefly
designed to give you a sense of the historical range and diversity of literature
in English. We also recommend that you take English 2101 (The British Literary
Tradition I) early, since it will introduce you to writers, texts, and issues
that are crucial to most subsequent courses.
To read a fuller description, click here.
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How do I know which courses fill what
requirements for the major? And how can I check where I stand in terms of my
requirements?
Every semester the department lists the specific historical courses that fill
the requirements for the major. You can find this list at the beginning of the
“Courses” link on the department’s webpage or at the front of the course
catalogue (available in the English department office). For a complete listing
of what courses fill what requirements for the major,
click here. For a chart
that enables you to see at a glance what areas you need,
click here.
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I’m thinking about becoming an English
major. What do I do now?
Talk to people. One excellent resource is the English major Peer Advisors,
any of whom would be glad to give you his or her perspective on English. You can
find their names, telephone numbers, and email addresses on the
Peer Advisors page; you may even have had one visit your Literary Experience or Core
Humanities class. Don’t be shy about contacting them; these students look
forward to speaking to prospective majors.
English faculty are also happy to discuss the English major. You probably
already know a member of the English Department from a Literary Experience
class, and possibly from an Augustine and Culture seminar. One English faculty member is
also particularly designated to talk to prospective majors: Prof. Michael
Berthold. Just call the English department secretaries (x9-4630), who will set
up an appointment for you. You can also contact any English advisor. To see the
list of advisors, along with their telephone numbers and email addresses,
click
here. For all faculty, click here.
You can also deepen your sense of what majoring in English would involve by
taking another English course soon (and if it’s numbered above 2100, it will
fulfill your Advanced Literature requirement). The British Literary Tradition
and American Literary Tradition courses (English 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104) are
good choices; in fact, we strongly recommend that English majors take English
2101 (The British Literary Tradition I) early, since it introduces writers,
texts, and issues that are crucial to many subsequent English courses. But don’t rule out other courses; talk to your
friends or to advisors to help you decide what makes sense for you.
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Now I’ve decided to become an English
major. What’s my next step?
It’s easy. You simply fill out a brief form, either at the Arts college
office (SAC first floor) or the English Department office (SAC 402). If you go
to the English office, one of our helpful secretaries will also give you a chance
to request a particular advisor. For the list of advisors,
click here.
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What are the requirements for an
English minor?
The English minor involves five English courses numbered 2000 or higher,
including at least one in British/Irish literature and at least one in American
literature. To read more, click here.
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What kind of variety is there to
English classes?
There is great variety to the courses you can take as an English major. The
department offers not only traditional courses in major fields (for instance,
British romantic poetry) and writers (for instance, Shakespeare and Milton), but
also courses, to give a few examples, on topics such as “Race and Ethnicity in
Contemporary Literature,” “Books into Movies,” “American Gothic,” and “The
Writing of the Short Story.” English professors are also always developing new
courses, insuring that the variety of courses we offer will continue to expand.
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How much choice do I have in picking my
English classes?
A lot. Of the 11 courses you would take as an English major, five are entirely
free electives, and the other six (which fulfill area requirements, the Junior
Research requirement, and the
Senior Seminar requirement) can be chosen from among many possibilities.
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What can I do with an English major?
Do I have to be a teacher? (Not that there’s anything wrong with that)
English prepares you for anything that requires skill at writing, reading, or
thinking—in other words, for almost anything. In fact, few of our majors
actually become teachers, and the number of job possibilities open to English
majors—including jobs in publishing, advertising, law, and maybe most
surprisingly in business—is clear even from the first page of a list of what
recent Villanova English graduates are doing. To see that list,
click here.
To read more about career possibilities, click here.
To read advice from recent English graduates now in the business world, click
here and
here.
Of course, if you are interested in teaching, English offers an excellent
opportunity in its Teaching Assistantship. See below: Can I find out what it’s
like to be a teacher if I’m an English major?
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If I’m interested in law school, does
it make sense for me to major in English?
Many English majors do go on to law school. In fact, an English major
provides excellent preparation for legal studies; law schools count on students
to be skilled at careful reading and writing. The Villanova English Department
regularly offers a course in “Legal Analysis and Writing,” and also provides
advice about law school applications. To read more,
click here.
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Can I find out what it’s like to be a
teacher if I’m an English major?
Absolutely. The English department offers a teaching assistantship course,
English 2800, that is open to senior English majors. Students who have worked as
undergraduate teaching assistants have been extremely enthusiastic about the
course. You can read more about this course, including the first-person
narratives of students’ experiences as Teaching Assistants, on the department’s
Teaching Assistantship page.
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What kinds of internships are
available for English majors?
There is a wide variety of internships available for English majors. If
you’re interested in internship possibilities, a crucial stop is the Internship
Program (610-519-4232). The department also has an
advisor for internships, Prof. Charles Cherry (610-519-6957).
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What are Tracks?
Tracks are an optional way of giving more shape and focus to your English
major. A track is a cluster of four or more courses organized about a historical
field, a genre, or an independent topic of your creation (for example, Race and
Ethnicity). It is designed to allow you to define your specific literary
interests by carefully choosing what courses you take as your English electives.
You do not have to take extra courses to complete a track, and courses from
other departments may count towards a track, thus enabling you to make your
track interdisciplinary. To read more,
click here.
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