English, B.A.

Department Contact:

Chair: Dr. Brennan Thomas, bthomas@francis.edu, 814-471-1111

Program Description:

The English major cultivates students’ abilities to express ideas in clear, persuasive language through the study of literature, composition, and digital media. Never more relevant than it is today, literature puts students in touch with the world’s most perceptive and discriminating minds, offering insights into timeless human ideas, anxieties, and desires. Through their exploration of American, British, and world literatures, students develop strong critical thinking and analytical skills that are highly sought after by employers and graduate schools.

Student Learning Outcomes:

All students who complete this program will achieve the following outcomes related to English studies:

• Students will demonstrate through written work and oral responses that they can identify literary elements and terms.
• Students will demonstrate through written work that they can cite sources.
• Students will demonstrate through written work and oral responses that they can identify major literary periods and movements.
• Students will demonstrate through written work that they can perform research and assess the results for formal presentation.
• Students will demonstrate through written work and oral responses that they can identify major theoretical perspectives.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking in oral responses and written work.
• Students will demonstrate through written work and oral responses that they recognize the reflection of the human condition presented in literary works.

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Total Credits Required:

128 credits