School of Humanities and Cultural Studies

Bachelor of Arts in English, Literature Concentration

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Why Choose Literature Concentration in English?

Students seeking advanced study in literature, history, theory, and analysis should take the literature concentration in English, which combines the historical, cultural, and critical study of literature with innovative approaches to critical methods, women's, gender, and sexuality studies, underrepresented literatures, and other literatures in English from around the globe. The literature concentration exposes students to a range of texts in English from the Middle Ages to the present day and includes a literature practicum that provides opportunities to use and refine the skills of literary study in specific applied contexts. All English majors begin their study in the major with an Introduction to Literary Studies course, which lays a firm groundwork in critical analysis, reasoned argument, and lucid expression. Literature is the concentration of choice for those who intend to pursue graduate study in English or in other fields such as law, business, urban planning, and library science. Two student organizations—The English Club and Fogdog Review staff offer enriching activities and opportunities throughout the school year.

Careers

Wright State graduates with concentrations in English have been especially successful working in such fields as fundraising and development, arts administration, government, journalism, and publishing.

View the English program profile for sample occupations, average salary, and employment projections. 

Real-World Experience

Some recent real-world projects for English Department students include:

  • A grant-funded pilot episode of a children’s television show to air on PBS ThinkTV.
  • A series of videos focused on veteran experiences.
  • Writing internship opportunities exist with local organizations. Past organizations have included The Antioch Review, Heavy Feather Review, Antioch Writers’ Workshop, The Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, Dayton Visual Arts Center, and elsewhere.
  • The Vibrant Visiting Writers’ Series open to the public. Past writers have included Xhenet Aliu, Philip Metres, Kaveh Akbar, Paige Lewis, Amina Gautier, and others.

Success Stories

Two-time Wright State graduate Tiffani Angus writes fantasy and science fiction stories, while teaching at Anglia Ruskin University.

Academics and Curriculum

View the Bachelor of Arts in English program information and degree requirements in the Academic Catalog.

Graduation Planning Strategy (Four Year Plan) (PDF)

Admission

Any student eligible for admission to the College of Liberal Arts is eligible for admission to the Creative Writing, Literature, Professional Writing, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages concentrations in English. Non-native speakers of English seeking admission to any undergraduate major program in English must meet one of the following minimum language proficiency requirements:

  • TOEFL: 79
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PEARSON PTE: 58, or
  • Students who show proof of successful completion of an Intensive English Program from an accredited Institution or program accepted by international admissions are exempt from the requirement to take an approved English Proficiency exam.

Review the admission requirements and complete the admission application. Identify whether you will be majoring in English.

If you are a current student and wish to change majors, go to the WINGS Express major/minor change request form and change your major. If you are an undecided/exploratory student, talk to your advisor about majoring in English.

 


Take the Next Step

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