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The '''English Major''' (alternatively "English concentration," "B.A. in English") is a term for an [[undergraduate]] [[university]] degree in the [[United States]] and a few other countries which focuses on analysis and production of texts in the [[English language]] (the term may also be used to describe a student who is concentrating in English). As a broad program of study, the English Major provides students with an opportunity to analyze works of [[literature]] and [[film]] originally written in English. Such an analysis prompts students to exercise both [[critical thinking]] skills, in which they analyze and reflect upon a text such that they can later interpret it and find meaning, and to present the results of their analysis in clear, cogent [[writing]]. A degree in English supposedly offers college graduates career opportunities in a number of fields which include (but are not limited to) [[writing]], [[editing]], [[publishing]], [[teaching]] and [[research]], [[advertising]], [[public relations]], [[law]], and [[finance]]. However, help-wanted postings rarely set forth English Majors as a job requirement. |
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== History == |
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They rose into prominence in [[United States|American]] colleges shortly after the introduction of the [[electives]] system. It provided an opportunity for students to seek the skills of analytical reading with the aim of improving their writing, as well as exercises in rhetoric and persuasive expression that had been traditionally only taught in [[classical studies]] and available to the very few due to language barriers and a shortage of professors who could actively engage students in the humanities. Outside the United States—originating in [[Scotland]] and then rippling out into the English-speaking world—the English major became popular in the latter half of the 18th century during a time when religious beliefs were becoming invalid in the face of scientific discoveries.[http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~ian/arnold.htm] [[Literature]] was thought to act as a replacement for [[religion]] in the retention and advancement of culture, and the English Major thus provided students with the chance to draw [[moral]], [[ethical]], and [[philosophical]] qualities and meanings of older studies from a richer and broader source of literature than that of the ancient [[ancient Greece|Greek]] and [[Latin]] classics. |
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== Skills acquired == |
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In the past an [[academic degree]] in [[English studies|English]] usually meant an intensive study of [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[United States|American]] literary masterpieces. Now, however, an English Major encompasses a much broader range of topics which stretch over multiple disciplines. While the requirements for an English Major vary from university to university, most English departments emphasize three core skills: analyzing literature, a process which requires [[logic]] and reflective analysis; creativity and imagination with regards to the production of good writing; and an understanding of different [[cultures]], [[civilizations]], and literary styles from various time periods. Prospective English Majors can expect to take college courses in [[academic writing]], [[creative writing]], [[literary theory]], [[United States|American]] and [[British literature]], multicultural literature, several literary genres (such as [[poetry]], [[drama]], and [[film studies]]), and a number of elective multidisciplinary topics such as [[history]], courses in the [[social sciences]], and studies in a foreign language. To the end of studying these disciplines, candidates for a Major in English attain skills in [[rhetoric]], [[literary analysis]], an appreciation for the diversity of cultures, and an ability to clearly and persuasively express their ideas in writing. |
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== Examples of Courses == |
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Most English courses fall into the broader categories of either Literature-based studies, which focus on classical authors and time periods, or Rhetorical studies, which concentrate on communication skills in preparation for specialization in a variety of professional fields. While specific graduation requirements vary from university to university, students can expect to study some of the following courses. |
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'''Courses in [[Writing]] and [[Composition (language)|Composition]]''': such as Academic and Professional Writing, which stress analytical writing and train students to produce clear, cohesive arguments; and Creative Writing workshops. |
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'''Courses in [[American Literature]]''': Depending upon the university, these courses can either be broken down by time period, such as Nineteenth Century [[Gothic Fiction]]; authors, such as classes on [[Nathaniel Hawthorne|Hawthorne]], [[Ernest Hemingway|Hemingway]], or [[Robert Frost|Frost]]; or Literary schools and movements, such as [[Naturalism (literature)|Naturalism]] or [[Transcendentalism]]. |
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'''Courses in [[British Literature]]''': Like [[American Literature]], courses may focus on time periods, authors, genres, or literary movements. Examples include [[Shakespeare]]'s Tragedies, History and Theory of British Drama, Medieval English Literature, the Victorian Novel, and [[Chaucer]]'s ''[[The Canterbury Tales]]. |
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'''Courses in Multicultural Literature''': The value of bringing a range of cultural and multidisciplinary perspectives to the study of [[English literature]] is being increasingly recognized in a number of universities. Examples include Multi-cultural Literatures in Medieval England, Latina Narratives, and Studies in Jewish Literature. |
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'''Rhetorical Courses''': Focus on techniques of persuasive arguing in the written form, as well as skills which involve the analysis of written texts. |
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== Career opportunities == |
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Unlike other [[vocational]] degrees, a major in English opens a variety of career opportunities for college graduates entering the job market. Since students who graduate with an English degree are trained to ask probing questions about large bodies of texts and then to formulate, analyze, and answer those questions in coherent, persuasive [[prose]]—skills vital to any number of careers—English majors have much to choose from after graduation. The most obvious career choices for English Majors are [[writing]], [[journalism]], [[editing]], [[publishing]], and [[teaching]]. However, other less intuitive job options include positions in [[advertising]], [[public relations]], [[acting]], [[law]], [[business]], [[marketing]], and directing. |
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== See also == |
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*[[Higher Education]] |
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*[[English Studies]] |
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*[[English Literature]] |
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== References == |
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*O'Hara, Shelly. ''What Can You Do with a Major in English.'' Hoboken: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2005. [[ISBN 0-7645-7605-4]] |
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*The University of Chicago ''Courses and Programs of Study'' The College 2006-2008. [http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu] |
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*de Vane, William Clyde. ''The English Major.'' [[College English]], Vol. 3, No. 1 (Oct., 1941), pp. 47-52 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0010-0994(194110)3%3A1%3C47%3ATEM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-D] |
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*On the History of the English Major, [http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~ian/arnold.htm] |
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==External links== |
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*[http://faculty.irsc.edu/dept/English/Famous%20English%20Majors.htm A List of Famous English Majors] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:English Major}} |
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[[Category:Academics| English Major]] |
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[[Category:Interdisciplinary fields]] |
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[[Category:Linguistics]] |
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[[Category:Literature]] |
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[[Category:English-language culture]] |
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[[zh:英文系]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:24, 6 May 2012
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