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
Mazey Perry (She/Her/Hers)
Major: English
Concentration: Women, Gender, and Sexuality
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
The faculty! They are all so welcoming and so willing to assist with any needs, big or small.
What has been your favorite class at K? Why?
Shakespeare with Professor Smith is my favorite class I have taken at K. I absolutely fell in love with early British literature. This class taught me how to read and understand Shakespeare which was a lot of fun.
How have you taken advantage of the open curriculum or experienced breadth in your education?
The open curriculum is why I came to K in the first place. I have taken a huge variety of classes and that has allowed me to fully understand what I like and do not like in terms of departments. I have taken psychology, business, Spanish, art. I have learned something valuable from each, even though they are not specific to my major and minor.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
I am doing a two-term SIP in the English department. It is partially about my summer internship, but also about how my college experience impacted where I am today and the things I have learned while being at K.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I am not entirely sure yet. I hope that this summer while working in Chicago, I will get a better idea of specifics. I definitely want to do something creative though.