Mission, Goals, and Learning Outcomes
Mission Statement
Studies in writing and literature introduce students to the full range of human activity—intellectual, social, aesthetic, and spiritual. Rooted in the liberal arts, the English department prepares students for leadership and service; for graduate studies in English, law, library science, and other fields; and for careers in teaching, journalism, advertising, public relations, writing, and editing.
The English department also offers general education courses in writing and literature that emphasize critical thinking, clear communication, aesthetics, and ethical engagement.
Department Goals
- The department will help students to think creatively and critically, to write and speak effectively, and to develop aesthetic awareness.
- The department will produce graduates who are competent, insightful readers of a wide range of texts, and conversant in the history and development of British and American literature.
- The department will help students connect to a community of readers and writers in and beyond the university.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Read critically
Critically read and analyze a variety of texts.
- Write effectively
Invent, draft, revise, and edit effectively for various audiences and purposes.
- Research and document proficiently
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of bibliographic resources and other research tools to find, incorporate, and properly cite sources, according to MLA style.
- Understand literary classifications
Demonstrate familiarity with classification of literature written in English, including:
- historical development
- genres
- theories
- Understand development of English
Demonstrate familiarity with the basic history of the development of the English language.
- Transfer skills to work
Connect academic training to potential professional experience.