Undergraduate Program in English
The majority of English undergraduate courses meet the ECAS Continuing Communication general education requirement (GER). With over 90% of our courses carrying the W (Writing or Continuing Communication) designation, we prepare students to become attentive readers and critical thinkers capable of producing writing that is cogent, clear, and evidence-based. A majority of our courses also meet the Humanities and Arts (HA) GER; about 20% of our courses meet the Race and Ethnicity GER. English courses promote the development of critical skills in interpreting texts and the cultivation of effective and elegant writing. Please check the Course Catalog for a complete list of courses offered in the English Department.
If you enjoy reading, consider our courses in literatures written in English (including literature of the Americas, the British Isles, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean). Along with courses in traditional periods and genres of literary study, we offer courses in digital humanities, health and humanities, law and Literature, studies in identity, race, and culture (including Latinx and Indigenous Literature), and emergent areas such as Cute Studies. By studying English, you will expand your understanding of your own and others' cultures and will gain practical skills that can serve you in a variety of professional and academic settings.
Requirements
The English major has flexible and individualized requirements. The only course required of all majors is English 205, Poetry. This course emphasizes critical reading and writing about poetic art and prepares students for work in more advanced courses. It is capped at 15-18 students.
Advanced courses (300-level) are capped at 25 students and seminars (400-level) at 12-15 students. Majors thus have the opportunity to get to know their professors and work closely with them. A description of undergraduate course offerings and schedules can be found here.
Opportunities
English is an excellent major for pre-professional students, but it is something more than a pre-professional program. It gives you a wider and deeper perspective on your education and your choices in life. English majors enjoy the beauty and creativity of great works of art and they ask tough questions about meaning and value.
The English major is thus an excellent gateway to a variety of professional careers and graduate programs. It provides foundational skills for areas as varied as business, law, journalism, medicine, teaching, public service, and, indeed, any other career that requires critical thinking and clear writing.
In an era of globalization in which information has become a crucial commodity, English majors enter the marketplace with a decided advantage. Emory's English major also prepares interested majors for graduate study in English.
Teaching and Research
Students who wish to dedicate their lives to teaching and research receive the training in literary history and analysis they need to pursue academic careers at leading institutions. Additional academic opportunities include the Honors Program.
