The Bachelor of Arts Degree, English major or minor programs expose you to a wide range of literary studies, traditions, approaches and theoretical issues with an emphasis on establishing a clear grasp of major concerns in culture and literature. The study of literature is the study of culture itself: the stories and myths, values and ideals, struggles and conflicts that shape our understanding of ourselves as individuals and of our relationships in the world. Courses in the English Department are designed to increase students' literary, cultural, and critical awareness, and help them develop the skills necessary to express their ideas effectively both orally and in writing: in addition to literary studies, we offer courses in writing, rhetoric, and public speaking.