Major Minor
Why Study English at K?
Through small class sizes and close relationships with faculty, you will learn how to wield language, express yourself, and critically observe the human experience.
As an English major or minor, you will learn about the power of language. Throughout history, writers and readers have borne witness to the human situation and leveraged their voices to alter the course of society. At K, we aim to teach you how to become a witness in and for the world.
Through the study of English literature across global and historical cultures, the study of film and critical theory, the discipline of writing in a variety of genres, and the constant practice of collaboration, you will be better prepared to understand the complexity of the world, yourself, and the ways words and images shape reality.
You will explore these topics through English literature classes, such as Global Shakespeares, Magical Realism, World Indigenous Literatures: The People and the Land, and writing-based courses in poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and journalism.
These courses—in addition to the completion of your Senior Integrated Project—will give you the ability to critically witness, assess, and shape the world around you. These skills have propelled our alumni into successful careers in literature, law, communications, education, and community building.
What can you do with an English degree?
Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our English alumni.
Careers
- Librarian
- Author
- Attorney
- Journalist
- Marketing Specialist
Employers
- Wisconsin Public Defender
- AmeriCorps
- City of Minneapolis
- Money Magazine
- Fulbright
Graduate Schools
- Columbia University
- University of Michigan
- University of Massachusetts at Amherst
- University of Denver
- Marquette University
Program Spotlights
Diverse English curriculum for the modern world
Many of our students find the department to be a safe place for challenging themselves and exploring new perspectives. Our faculty design interdisciplinary classes that include the stories of folks of different races, genders, and sexualities across time and place. We also recognize that not all storytelling methods resonate equally with all students, and so we offer a breadth of genres and mediums, including poetry, short stories, newspapers, novels, music and film.
Apply your English studies in the community
Whether it’s bringing Shakespeare into the local community, traveling to The Dickens Universe conference in California, working with local community gardens, or traveling to Costa Rica to practice your food and travel writing, the English department offers invaluable, hands-on experiences that will prepare you for life after graduation.
Join a community of creators and write your own stories
At K, you will have the freedom to pursue your own projects. In our writing-based courses—fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and journalism—you will workshop pieces with classmates and professors and present them to the campus community at our end-of-term readings. You can also join one of K’s student publications, such as The Cauldron (literary magazine) or The Index (newspaper). In your senior year, you will get to work on your own collection, novel, literary analysis, or other project of your choice in your Senior Integrated Project.
Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor
Morgan Acord (She/Her/Hers)
Major: English
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The best thing about being part of the English department is the varying perspectives and conversations surrounding literature. So much fun!
What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
I would say 19th Century Women’s Literature with Dr. Fong was easily one of my favorites, and one of the most influential I have ever taken. This class truly broke down the stereotype of 19th century literature being stuffy and one-sided; the 19th Century was absolutely buck-wild! By buck-wild, I mean there were so many things going on with so many different communities, both good and bad, that there are so many different perspectives and narratives that are relevant to conversations regarding race, womanhood/gender, intersectionality, sex, etc. that are still prevalent today! This class offered texts that I had read before, like Jane Eyre, and others that I had not, like The Woman of Colour and exploring these texts helped me see the 19th Century in a way I had never thought of/been exposed to before and only solidified and expanded my adoration for 19th Century Literature. (My favorite books are Frankenstein and The Portrait of Dorian Gray so I’ll let you connect those dots.)
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
My SIP is going to be an academic piece of criticism, or an essay, about motherhood and the supernatural in 19th century literature! I’m really looking forward to it!
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
After K, I plan on taking a gap year to catch my breath after going to undergraduate school during a global pandemic; it was a little much. After my gap year, I plan on going to a Master’s/Ph.D. program to get a doctorate in 19th Century Literature and become a professor! I also plan on writing creatively and hopefully publishing a few books. I love to write short stories and poetry. After grad school, I have no clue where I’m going to move or teach but I’ll figure it out!