Majors:
Creative Writing | Professional Writing and Journalism | Literature
Explore the various ways that written language engages the world.
Capital’s English Department offers three majors — Literature, Creative Writing and Professional Writing/Journalism — that prepare students to use the English language effectively in a number of areas. Although different in focus, the majors have important common components through their grounding in language and literary studies. Many students have more than one major or a combination of a major and minor from the English department.
MAJORS IN ENGLISH
Creative Writing
The creative writing major is designed for students who wish to pursue careers as writers of imaginative literature: fiction, poetry, the essay and drama. The major is also good preparation for students who want to teach creative writing, for those who seek careers as editors, or for students who simply strive to find creative solutions in any field.
As all great writers are great readers first, creative writing majors take a wide variety of courses in literature. They also take introductory and advanced creative writing courses and may work on and submit their work to ReCap, Capital’s student-edited literary magazine. In addition, there are opportunities throughout the year to take part in open readings of their work and to attend readings by distinguished writers.
Professional Writing/Journalism
The professional writing/journalism major combines the theory and practice of designing, critiquing, crafting and editing written documents. Students receive training in identifying communication needs of specific audiences and addressing such needs through effective communication of information. The journalism component of the major provides multiple opportunities for print, visual and digital media production through work on The Chimes, Capital’s student-edited weekly newspaper. The program also offers courses in technical writing and editing, in writing new media and in research writing across disciplines and professions.
Literature
The literature major focuses on interpreting significant texts of American, British and global literature. This process involves careful reading, attention to contexts, thoughtful analysis and clear written explanation. Through this study, literature majors develop skills that are transferable to many contexts, and gain insights into themselves and their relationship to a changing world. As scholars have stated for centuries, literature offers insight and pleasure, and motivates personal and social change. It challenges us to see the world more fully and to interpret it more carefully.
where you'll go: Careers and Graduate School
Well-read creatives with excellent writing skills are always in demand in the marketplace. Whether they choose to enter the workforce right after graduation, or to pursue a graduate degree in virtually any discipline, our graduates are prepared for meaningful work and lives of positive impact. Here is a sampling of what some of them are doing now:
- Attorney
- Book editor
- College administrator
- Copy editor
- Digital media producer
- Director of public relations
- High school teacher
- Journalist
- Librarian
- Managing editor
- Marketing specialist
- Public relations consultant
- Social worker
- Sports information director
- Sports writer
- Systems designer
- Technical writer
- University professor
- U.S. Army officer
- U.S. Naval officer