Southwestern

Engaging Minds, Transforming Lives

English Department

Southwestern’s English Department prepares students for a life of engaged, critical thinking by studying the literature and cultures of the English-speaking world. Reading, discussing and writing about texts past and present, students gain a deepened understanding of literature’s role in shaping and reflecting society.  They learn skills of interpretation, analysis, research and writing, whose applications and value span a broad spectrum of personal and professional pursuits.

Our faculty members guide students through a broad range of issues and texts in courses that go beyond established, national canons of literature.

Students can engage Shakespeare’s tragedies, Hollywood screwball comedies, Chaucer’s verse, Charlotte Brontë’s or Toni Morrison’s fiction—exploring, testing and challenging the complex and divergent perspectives they find.

  • The major in English is part of the Bachelor of Arts program, which includes the option of a paired major in English and Feminist Studies. 
  • A minor in English can be combined with any major program at Southwestern. 
  • In addition, students seeking certification to teach in secondary schools may choose English as a second teaching field, and those seeking elementary certification may choose an academic specialization in English.

Department News

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    Congratulations, Graduates!
    The English Department extends its warmest congratulations to graduating majors and minors for successfully completing their degrees at SU. Our warmest congratulations too to their families and friends as they gather for Commencement Exercises and to celebrate with the graduates.
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    Spring Capstone Presentations
    Students in this semester’s capstone seminar, “Popular Culture in General: Bob Dylan in Particular,” taught by Dr. David Gaines, presented versions of their capstone papers on April 24 at the Dorothy Lord Community Center.
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    Get the Latest Department News on Facebook
    “Like” us on Facebook to get all the latest news about department events, catch up with alumni, and connect with other SU lit types.

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Notables

  • Helene Meyers, Professor of English and McManis University Chair, presented “Here and/or Elsewhere?: Locating Contemporary Jewish American Literature” at the annual conference of MELUS (the Society for the Study of the Multi-ethnic Literature of the United States) in Santa José, CA, on April 20.

  • David Gaines, associate professor of English, gave a talk entitled “A Dylan Fan’s Notes” at the American Culture Association meeting in Boston, MA on April 12, 2012.

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