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As a department, we engage with texts and ideas as imaginative, open-minded individuals who contribute responsibly to diverse communities in a changing world.

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Interested in one of our majors, minors or certificates? Fill out the declaration form to declare a major or minor.

Undergraduate programs

English

Undergrad major Undergrad minor Teacher license

An English major is a humanities degree with strong emphasis on reading and writing. Students are challenged to think deeply about what they read and observe, organize their thoughts, and develop arguments. Communication, creative thinking and problem-solving skills make them attractive to employers and graduate schools.

Areas of study

Education

This major prepares students to become dynamic English Language Arts (ELA) teachers who can meet the needs of adolescent learners at both the middle and high school levels. Faculty guide students through rigorous coursework in fields such as literature, writing, linguistics, and ELA pedagogy. Students receive personalized mentoring throughout multiple field experience and student teaching semesters. English education majors who meet the necessary criteria graduate with a license to teach grades 4-12 in the state of Wisconsin.

Undergrad major Teacher license View a sample plan for Education Catalogfor Education

Language & Literature

The English language and literature minor provides a foundation in English Language Arts-related topics and is especially relevant for students who plan to teach in the middle grades or overseas. It addresses issues of literary analysis, linguistics, writing instruction, and literature with particular attention to young adult literature.

Undergrad minor View a sample plan for Language & Literature Catalogfor Language & Literature

Literary & Cultural Studies Emphasis

The literary and cultural studies emphasis focuses on developing critical modes of inquiry, foundational and transferable skills in writing, and innovative research focusing on the study of culture and the human condition. Cross-disciplinary conversations hone students’ abilities to analyze diverse personal, cultural, ethical, and global perspectives, and to find creative solutions to complex problems.

Undergrad major Undergrad minor View a sample plan for Literary & Cultural Studies Catalogfor Literary & Cultural Studies

Medical Professions Emphasis

The English major: medical professions emphasis combines courses from English and biology to prepare students for careers in healthcare while they also complete some of the pre-healthcare coursework, practice their writing skills, and study the human condition through narrative. These skills are essential for health-related careers focused on writing and communication.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Medical Professions Catalogfor Medical Professions

Writing & Rhetoric Studies Emphasis

In the writing and rhetoric emphasis students are empowered to examine and shape the world through writing. They develop high-demand written communication skills, gain experience working in teams, learn digital writing technologies, and address diverse audience needs.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Writing & Rhetoric Studies Catalogfor Writing & Rhetoric Studies
Quick glancefor English

Professional & Technical Writing

Undergrad minor Undergrad certificate

Professional and technical writing is written communication within an organization for a specific purpose, typically aligned with the organization’s goals. Professional writers can translate complex information into easy-to-digest prose. This writing may appear in technical documents, newsletters, reports, press releases, emails, messaging apps and more. 

Catalogfor Professional & Technical Writing
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Creative Writing

Undergrad minor

Creative writing is a process of creating written works including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, screen writing, stage writing or play writing. Creative writing starts with the generation of an idea. It continues with composing, revising, and publishing creative pieces.

Catalogfor Creative Writing
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Linguistics

Undergrad minor

Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. We are used to studying language from a humanistic perspective. Linguistics applies scientific methodology to language with the goal of understanding how human language works — cognitively, biologically, physically and socially.

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Winter & Spring 2025 Courses

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English Connections

English & Medicine

Since 1998, English graduates have surpassed STEM majors in acceptance rates to medical school, and English has become the 7th most popular major on medical school applications.

Our department is committed to the invaluable interdisciplinary applications of English and creating new pathways for students post-graduation that will help them flourish in their occupation.

Interested in pursuing a career in health and medicine? Check out the English Major: English for Medical Professions emphasis.

English & Law

In the 2018-2019 academic year, English graduates boasted a 79.42% acceptance rate into law school, surpassing political science and legal studies applicants. Our major and minor programs will refine the skills necessary to move beyond an undergraduate education and to cultivate a successful legal career.

English & Nonprofit Advocacy

The values and skills English majors develop throughout our programs set them up to be prime researchers, critical thinkers, and social servants after graduating. For those interested in a career in nonprofit work, the English major is the perfect place to build up the foundational knowledge in understanding advocacy initiatives & organizations.

English & Psychology

Our English programs expand upon the cognitive and introspective qualities that are instrumental in providing humanizing and empathetic care within psychology careers. Discover new ways of understanding patient narratives and history while connecting with those who are looking to do the same!

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Featured courses

  • Creative Writing
    ENG 305 | 3 credits
    An advanced course which emphasizes the writing of poetry, short fiction, and analytical-evaluative writing about each of these genres. The course is taught by a practicing and published fiction writer or poet and is intended as the basic course in the creative writing English minor. It is also for those students interested in writing short fiction and/or poems. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Writing for Management, Public Relations and the Professions
    ENG 307 | 3 credits
    An advanced writing course designed to introduce students to theories and practices of workplace writing through genres such as personal brand statements, application materials, correspondence, memos, proposals, reports, press releases, and others. Students will work independently, collaboratively, and ethically to address the needs of internal and external audiences. Through this work, students will also learn project management strategies and be able to respond successfully to rapidly-changing workplace contexts and stakeholders. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112; sophomore standing. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Technical Writing
    ENG 308 | 3 credits
    An advanced writing course designed to introduce students to theories and practices of writing and designing technical information using various media and technology (i.e. digital, print, audio, video, etc.), through such genres as infographics, podcasts, white papers, technical instructions, documentation, and others. Students will work independently and collaboratively to address the needs of diverse users by ethically and accessibly communicating technical information. Through this work, students will also learn project management strategies and be able to respond successfully to rapidly-changing contexts. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112; sophomore standing. Offered Annually.
  • Writing in the Sciences
    ENG 309 | 3 credits
    An advanced writing course for students in the sciences. The course will focus both on the role writing plays in the conduct of scientific work and on the rhetorical and stylistic conventions of the various scientific disciplines: in short, on the relationship between writing and scientific knowledge. Taught through an inquiry process, students will be led to develop their composition skills and understanding as they discover the procedures and conventions of their individual disciplines. Not open for credit in the English education major or minors except for credit in the professional writing minor. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112; sophomore standing. Offered Annually.
  • Digital Content Writing, Strategy, and Experience Design
    ENG 310 | 3 credits
    This course is designed to develop rhetorical knowledge of and practice in digital content strategy, written content creation, and user experience design for professional organizations across multiple platforms, including websites, social media, blogs, and other professional digital spaces. Students will develop skills in content strategy and user experience/user interface design for professional digital ecologies/networks, including those within mobile and desktop interfaces. The course will also introduce students to tracking and measuring data analytics, integrating search engine optimization, and developing content strategies to optimize professional and technical writing across digital platforms and situations. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112; sophomore standing. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Grant Writing
    ENG 314 | 3 credits
    This course provides students with an opportunity to develop knowledge of theories and practice in philanthropic grant writing. Students will work in teams to help clients fundraise for social change, investigating political, social, and cultural aspects and practices of grant writing within the context of local organizations. Students will develop skills in identifying sources of grant funding, engage in various research methods, analyze stakeholder needs, and learn to rhetorically respond to requests for proposals. The course will also explore grant-related writing genres and conventions such as planning documents, needs assessments, letters of inquiry, project descriptions, and requests for proposals. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112. Offered Fall.
  • Writing for Stage and Screen
    ENG 317 | 3 credits
    Students in this course achieve a broad introduction to the art and craft of writing screen and stage plays. Course readings will include models in each genre and exercises designed to stimulate creative processes. Critical assignments will challenge students to recognize and articulate principles of stage and screen drama. Creative assignments will challenge students to create their own original works in each genre. Each student will provide a script for review by the full class in a workshop setting, and the course will provide opportunities for staging, video production, or dramatic reading of students' works. Prerequisite: ENG 200-level course. Offered Every Third Semester.
  • Literary Journal Production
    ENG 320 | 3 credits
    This is a workshop-style course in which students assemble and publish Steam Ticket, a nationally-distributed literary journal that attracts submissions from international authors and artists. Each student serves in positions such as Fiction Editor, Poetry Editor, Copy Editor, Managing Editor, Social Media Strategist, Staff Photographer, etc. Students gain real-world experience in publishing, titles to include on resumes, and exposure to contemporary trends in literature. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary and multicultural content and participation. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Only three credits may be applied toward any individual major or minor. Prerequisite: 300 level writing course. Offered Spring.
  • Publishing in a Digital Age
    ENG 327 | 3 credits
    Practice in and critical examination of publication design, including research, writing, editing, layout, design, theory, software, and digital imagery. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112. Offered Fall.
  • History of the English Language
    ENG 330 | 3 credits
    A survey of the historical development of English language structure and usage in the Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, and Modern English periods. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112. Offered Fall.
  • Introduction to Linguistics: Sounds and Words
    ENG 331 | 3 credits
    This course is an introduction to linguistics focused on articulatory phonetics, phonology, and morphology. Some attention is given to language acquisition and language variation at the levels of phonology, morphology, and the lexicon. During lab students practice phonetic transcription, morphological analysis, morphophonological analysis, phonological analysis, phonemic analysis, and distinctive feature analysis. Lect. 2, Lab 2. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112; students cannot earn credit in both ENG 331 and TSL 340. Offered Fall.
  • Young Adult Literature
    ENG 341 | 3 credits
    Young adult literature has experienced a surge in popularity since the mid-1990s, but its roots actually trace back much farther than that. In this course, students explore the authors and texts that have contributed to the evolution of this genre since the 1950s by reading across a range of literary styles, voices, and time periods. Major units in the course pays close attention to issues of literary value and publishing markets; to representations of gender, race, sexuality, and disability; to debates over censorship and the definition of "appropriate" content; and to the inclusion of adolescent literature in today's secondary English Language Arts classrooms. And while a majority of the course is devoted to the study of primary texts (including novels, poetry, nonfiction, and/or graphic novels), students also are expected to work closely with secondary materials as they situate this ever-expanding genre in multiple social, historical, and political contexts. Prerequisite: three credits in 200 level English courses. Offered Annually.
  • Creative Nonfiction
    ENG 343 | 3 credits
    An advanced course which emphasizes the personal essay, memoir, and other forms that blur the distinction between fiction and factual writing. While creative nonfiction may be informative, it may also be personal and lyrical. Students will study voice, prose style, and techniques of structuring content. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112. Offered Every Third Semester.
  • Studies in Film and Literature
    ENG 348 | 3 credits
    This course is an introduction to the study of film and film criticism with some attention to the history of the medium and its relation to literary genres. Prerequisites: three credits in 200 level English courses. Offered Annually.
  • Literature and Environmental Action
    ENG 387 | 3 credits
    A study of literature of many genres written by nature and environmentalist writers, both traditional and contemporary, all serving as models for students' essays and projects. Prerequisite: three credits in 200 level English courses. Offered Alternate Years.
  • Language, Power, and Inequality
    ANT 375 | 3 credits
    This course will examine how our ideas about language intersect with differences in power and social inequality in the United States. These ideas include how we think people "should" speak, who speaks the "best," and which language varieties are valued. Focusing on the role of institutions and their effects on minority language speakers, we will explore issues such as language subordination, stereotypes of US regional dialects and accents, "mixed" languages, "mock" languages, political correctness, and multilingualism. This class will also examine how our ideas about language are used to construct and reflect social boundaries, which can affect people's social and political opportunities. Offered Occasionally.
View all courses
Portrait of Mikaela Kornowski

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Mikaela Kornowski

Employers have told me that my impressive writing background is what set me apart from other candidates seeking the same position. I can update company websites, produce promotional videos, lead social media efforts, and create email campaigns and other marketing materials.

Portrait of Cat Daly

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Cat Daly

I use what I learned from my English classes in the work I do every day! I am able to communicate my organization's mission clearly and creatively, whether that's through writing social media posts, blog posts, or articles for our newsletters.

Portrait of Philippe Meister

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Philippe Meister

The courses taught me about history, theory and practice of language use in social life. The faculty supported me in conducting an undergraduate research project that allowed me to explore my interests, and I learned about conducting research.