The English major engages students in reflective reading, creative inquiry, composition, critical analysis, contextual analysis, research methods and effective communication. The study of literature and culture, creative writing, pedagogy, linguistics, rhetoric and composition, film, and technical communication prepares graduates to pursue a variety of careers, including writing, publishing and editing, government and law, business, public relations, advertising, technology and education. These studies also prepare students for graduate study.
The Department of English provides a dynamic intellectual environment and learning community. Faculty introduce diverse historical and cultural contexts, as well as new genres of creative and professional expression, fields of critical inquiry and communication technologies to provide our students with the best possible education. The Department of English offers small, student-centered classes, innovative pedagogy, and close faculty-student interaction.
Department of English faculty have earned numerous awards for excellence in teaching, research and writing; members are nationally recognized in various creative and critical fields. Students have amassed an enviable record of placement in graduate programs and professional positions.
The Department of English shares with the larger university “a commitment to engaged excellence in fulfilling its tripartite mission of teaching, scholarship, and community service in a student-centered environment, with a liberal arts foundation and opportunities to develop professional skills” (All quotations from the University’s Strategic Plan, “Engaged Excellence,” 2006). For example:
- The Department of English engages and trains students in reflective reading, creative inquiry, critical analysis, and effective expression. In this way students become motivated and prepared to pursue a “lifelong passion for learning” that “fosters individual curiosity, intellectual rigor, critical thinking, and creativity.”
- The Department of English promotes “scholarly and creative work of significance” among both its students and faculty. The Department of English sponsors and publishes the student literary magazine Jeopardy, the literary journal The Bellingham Review, and places students in service-learning and professional writing internships. The Department of English hosts annual regional and national conferences and several visiting writers a year, presenting readings and lectures free and open to students and the public.
- The Department of English “creates opportunities for students to display leadership, civic engagement, social responsibility, and effective citizenship” through professional opportunities provided through its publications, service learning, internship opportunities and Scholars Week activities.
- The Department of English “brings together an increasingly diverse and talented student body, faculty, and staff to form a learning community.” The Department of English, which has won the University Diversity Award, is one of the most ethnically diverse departments on campus. Attention to diversity occurs at all levels of the Department of English’s service, including text selection, course topics, and the speakers and public events we provide and sponsor. Recently, the Department of English hired a tenure-track appointment in Latina/o Literatures, which has allowed it to open a very important field of study for students.
- The Department of English “provides a high quality environment that complements the learning community,” providing excellent classes featuring student-centered learning, events and resources for students, our local community, and the state of Washington.
- The Department of English supports the University’s commitment to “environmental stewardship” through course offerings, energy conservation, and the recycling of paper, cardboard, and printer cartridges. The Department of English is proud that a majority of its faculty walk, bike, bus or carpool to Western.
The Department of English also shares with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences a commitment to promote “a holistic approach to learning, including an awareness of the complex nature of global society; the ability to communicate effectively; the ability to collect, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize theories, research, and information to make informed choices and to incorporate learning as a lifelong pursuit” (All quotations from the “CHSS Strategic Plan: 2007-2011,” revised winter 2008). For example:
- The Department of English creates multiple opportunities for “positive learning environments that support diverse opinions and cultures and foster respect and ethical conduct” through its many courses offerings in global literatures; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender literature; African-American literature; American-Indian literatures; Canadian literature; Irish Nationalist literature; Asian-American literatures; Latina/o literatures; studies in historically marginalized literatures; literary and creative expressions across cultures, as well as in U.S. and British literary traditions.
- The Department of English actively supports “promoting active student learning through participation in research and experiential learning activities such as internships.” The Department of English recently created an “Internship in English” course (English 461) to formalize some of its internship activities. Additionally, the Department of English recently assessed research learning outcomes and has worked on developing more venues for developing student research. These internships and research skills are instrumental in supporting the development of a lifelong pursuit of learning.
- The Department of English fosters the “technological enhancement of the learning experience” by maintaining, upgrading, and enhancing two writing laboratories. Furthermore, the Department of English is currently developing a multimedia instructional laboratory that will support collaborative research between students and faculty.
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