Waynesburg University

Department of English and Foreign Languages

Majors

Minors

English Minor

Overview

The mission of the Department of English and Foreign Languages is to cultivate reading, writing, speaking, and research skills in Waynesburg University students to prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives grounded in Christian faith and service.

Students in the English Program will achieve the following objectives:

To develop, support, and organize a strong argument in a clear and grammatically correct style.
To effectively research, use information technologies, and gain a command of citation styles and formatting
To cultivate strong reading skills by studying major authors, genres, and literary terminology while applying theory to texts
To grow as writers through workshopping, creating texts in several genres, experimenting with a variety of literary techniques, and crafting a personal authorial voice
To engage in literary studies as a reflection of the University’s commitment to Christian faith and service
To prepare for post-graduate opportunities in education, further studies, or the world of professional writing.

English majors can choose among three tracks: creative writing, literature, or professional writing. Secondary Education is offered with either the literature or the creative writing option.

The Creative Writing Track provides developing writers superior skills in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and other genres as well as study in literature and interpretive strategies. Students in this track will be prepared for graduate studies or a position that requires effective writing skills.

The Literature Track offers students with a passion for reading the opportunity to develop interpretive strategies and gain practice in advanced writing. Students who complete this track are prepared for graduate studies in literature and/or writing, a career in law, or a position that requires strong communication skills.

Professional writing prepares students for work in a field that requires insightful and constantly evolving communication skills. Students in this track will receive intensive training in advanced writing and research, enhanced focus on reading and interpreting texts to sharpen critical thinking skills, and exposure to/practice of new media genres. Upon graduation professional writing students will be prepared for a writing, editing, or content creation position or to pursue graduate studies in literature, writing, or law.