The English Department serves the university’s diverse student population by offering a focused yet flexible program of courses in writing, literature, rhetoric and literary theory. Our classes examine literature as a living process intimately connected with the complex problems of its place, culture, community and history.
The literary studies curriculum introduces our majors and minors to a substantial body of knowledge in British, American and Anglophone literature, as well as literary works in translation from across the globe and throughout history. Literary studies majors are encouraged to become familiar with a broad array of literary traditions and critical methodologies before specializing in a capstone project—a research-intensive, interpretive thesis undertaken in the senior year.
The program excels at providing students with friendly advisors who welcome one-on-one conversations about writing, books, food and life. Students are given numerous opportunities, such as professor-led study abroad trips and membership in Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, to develop long-lasting relationships that will enrich the personal and professional life of the student.
Additional benefits include:
For information on the Washington State teacher education endorsement in English language arts, please refer to the requirements as outlined in the College of Education and Counseling section of the undergraduate academic catalog.
"Getting this essay published was just proof to myself that I was capable of achieving something that I assumed was an unobtainable goal. As a student, it gave me more confidence in my writing abilities."
Emmalee Baker Literary studies Class of 2015
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"I would like students to take away from my classes that writing is one of the ultimate arts in self-expression. It is a serious means of finding communion with humanity. Write what you like to write, write often and with purpose and you may find yourself more in sync with the human planet."
"There is no hiding in my classes. Students are in the middle of it. Students not only read great texts, but they create knowledge. They write and discover new things about themselves, about their topics. There are many reasons to attend a smaller school, and this is chief among them."