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Students who major in English gain a broad exposure to literary traditions dating back to the beginnings of civilization. They also develop an appreciation for the ways language can be used not only as a communication tool, but also as a creative medium. The intellectual links between literature and history, politics, philosophy, and science form the core of a liberal arts education in its purest sense. The skills English majors acquire through interpreting a complex poem or turning research into a coherent argument may be translated to virtually every professional field.

AREAS OF EMPHASIS AT DELAWARE

The English department at the University of Delaware offers a diverse curriculum emphasizing the connections between literature, and social history. The major requires that students complete five courses from a core curriculum that includes courses in Shakespeare, Biblical and classical literature, literary theory, and surveys in British and American literature. Students also select at least seven courses from a wide variety of offerings, three of which must be from historical periods, ranging from medieval to contemporary, and one of which must be in cultural and theoretical studies. English majors at Delaware may also choose to pursue concentration in business and technical writing, journalism, ethnic and cultural studies, film studies, creative writing and drama. For those who wish to teach high school English, the English education program offers the credits and teaching experience students need to become certified. The department also cooperates with students who want to design a customized interdepartmental major. Faculty members include well-known literary critics, editors, consultants, reviewers, poets and fiction writers. In addition, scholars, poets and writers of national and international reputation visit regularly to lecture or read from their works.