Misplaced Pages

English major: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 03:30, 19 May 2011 edit69.142.241.118 (talk) Career opportunities← Previous edit Revision as of 08:38, 29 July 2011 edit undo97.124.202.9 (talk)No edit summaryNext edit →
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Mergeto|English studies|date=May 2009}} {{Mergeto|English studies|date=May 2009}}1980's)
The '''English Major''' (alternatively "English concentration," "B.A. in English") is a term for an ] ] degree in the ] and a few other countries which focuses on the analysis, production, and consumption of texts in the ] (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 ] and ] originally written in English. Such an analysis prompts students to exercise both ] 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 ]. A degree in English offers college graduates career opportunities in a number of fields which include (but are not limited to) ], ], ], ] and ], ], ], ], and ]. The analytical and writing skills applied to an English major can also advance a career in ]. The '''English Major''' (alternatively "no concentration," "B.A. in make-believe") is a term for an American or British person in the ] and a few other countries which focuses on speaking English like all people of a for mentioned countries in the ] (the term may also be used to describe a student who is concentrating in nothing). As a broad program of study, the English Major provides students with an opportunity to slack off and analyze works of ] and ] originally written in English. Such an analysis prompts students to exercise both ] or reading skills, in which they analyze and reflect upon a text such that they can later pretend to interpret it and find meaning (real or imagined), and to present the results of their analysis in clear, cogent ]. A degree in English offers college graduates career opportunities in a number of fields which include (but are not limited to) Speaking English. The analytical and writing skills applied to an English major can also advance a career in ]


== History == == History ==


They rose into prominence in ] colleges shortly after the introduction of the ] system. It provided an opportunity for students to seek skills in 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 ] 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 ] 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 shaken in the face of scientific discoveries. ] was thought to act as a replacement for ] in the retention and advancement of culture, and the English Major thus provided students with the chance to draw ], ], and ] qualities and meanings of older studies from a richer and broader source of literature than that of the ancient ] and ] classics. They rose into prominence in ] colleges shortly after the introduction of the ] system. It provided an opportunity for students to seek skills in reading (yeah, 3rd grade!!) with the aim of improving their particularly bad writing, as well as exercises in speaking the vernacular and only silly persuasive expression that had been traditionally only taught in ] and available to the very few due to not speaking English. Outside the United States (originating in ] and then rippling out into the English-speaking world) the English major (Lord knows Scotland needs it) became popular in the latter half of the 18th century. ] was thought to act as a replacement for ] in the retention and advancement of culture, and the English Major thus provided students with the chance to draw ], ], and ] qualities and meanings of older studies from popular culture.


== Skills acquired == == Skills acquired ==


In the past an ] in ] usually meant an intensive study of ] and ] 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 ] and reflective analysis; creativity and imagination with regards to the production of good writing; and an understanding of different ], ], and literary styles from various time periods. Prospective English Majors can expect to take college courses in ], ], ], ] and ], multicultural literature, several literary genres (such as ], ], and ]), and a number of elective multidisciplinary topics such as ], courses in the ], and studies in a foreign language. To the end of studying these disciplines, candidates for a Major in English attain skills in ], ], an appreciation for the diversity of cultures, and an ability to clearly and persuasively express their ideas in writing. In the past an English major speaks English] in ] usually meant nothing. Now, however, an English Major encompasses nothing, if English is not a second language. 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 ] and reflective analysis; pretend and imagination with regards to the production of so-so writing; and an understanding of English speaking ], ], and literary styles from various (liberal) time periods. Prospective English Majors can expect to take courses in , ] and ], multi-English literature, several literary genres (such as ], ], and (not Literature by definition)]), and a number of elective multidisciplinary topics such as ], courses in the ], and studies in a foreign language. To the end of studying these disciplines, candidates for a Major in English do not attain skills in ], ], an appreciation for the English of cultures, and an ability to pretend to clearly and persuasively express their ideas in writing.


== Examples of Courses == == Examples of Courses ==


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. Most English courses fall into the broader categories of either Literature-based studies, which focus on classical authors and time periods, or complete bull, which concentrate on communication skills in preparation for specialization in a variety of high school fields. While specific graduation requirements vary from university to university, students can expect to study some of the following courses.


'''Courses in ] and ]''': such as Academic and Professional Writing, which stress analytical writing and train students to produce clear, cohesive arguments; and Creative Writing workshops. '''Courses in ] and ]''': such as Academic and Professional Writing, which stress writing and train students to produce clear, cohesive inaccuracies; and Creative pretending workshops.


'''Courses in ]''': Depending upon the university, these courses can either be broken down by time period, such as Nineteenth Century ]; authors, such as classes on ], ], or ]; or Literary schools and movements, such as ] or ]. '''Courses in ]''': Depending upon the university, these courses can either be broken down by time period, such as Nineteenth Century ]; authors, such as classes on ], ], or ]; or Literary schools and movements, such as ] or ].


'''Courses in ]''': Like ], courses may focus on time periods, authors, genres, or literary movements. Examples include ]'s Tragedies, History and Theory of British Drama, Medieval English Literature, the Victorian Novel, and ]'s '']. '''Courses in ]''': Like ], courses may focus on time periods, authors, genres, or literary movements. Examples include ]'s Tragedies, History and Theory of British Drama, Medieval English Literature, the Victorian Novel, and ]'s ''].
Line 22: Line 22:
'''Courses in Multicultural Literature''': The value of bringing a range of cultural and multidisciplinary perspectives to the study of ] is being increasingly recognized in a number of universities. Examples include Multi-cultural Literatures in Medieval England, Latina Narratives, and Studies in Jewish Literature. '''Courses in Multicultural Literature''': The value of bringing a range of cultural and multidisciplinary perspectives to the study of ] is being increasingly recognized in a number of universities. Examples include Multi-cultural Literatures in Medieval England, Latina Narratives, and Studies in Jewish Literature.


'''Rhetorical Courses''': Focus on techniques of persuasive arguing in the written form, as well as skills which involve the analysis of written texts. '''Rhetorical Courses''': Focus on techniques of poorly arguing in the written form, as well as skills which involve the analysis of written texts.


== Career opportunities == == Career opportunities ==


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 ]—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 ], ], ], ], and ]. However, other less intuitive job options include positions in ], ], ], ], ], ], and directing. 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 Speak English. The most obvious career choices for English Majors are , ], and [[Being Australian)}. However, other less intuitive job options include positions in Speaking English.


== See also == == See also ==
Imagination
*]
*]
*]

== References == == References ==
*O'Hara, Shelley. ''What Can You Do with a Major in English?'' Hoboken: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2005. ISBN 0-7645-7605-4 *O'Hara, Shelley. ''What Can You Do with a Major in English?''Prentend: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2005. ISBN 0-7645-7605-4
*The University of Chicago ''Courses and Programs of Study'' The College 2006-2008. *The University of K ''Courses and Programs of Study'' The College 2006-2008.
*de Vane, William Clyde. ''The English Major.'' ], Vol. 3, No. 1 (Oct., 1941), pp. 47–52 *de Vane, William Clyde. ''The English Major.'' ], Vol. 3, No. 1 (Oct., 1941), pp. 47–52
*On the History of the English Major, *On the History of the not a Major,


==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 08:38, 29 July 2011

It has been suggested that this article be merged into English studies. (Discuss) Proposed since May 2009.

1980's)

The English Major (alternatively "no concentration," "B.A. in make-believe") is a term for an American or British person in the Englishia and a few other countries which focuses on speaking English like all people of a for mentioned countries in the English language (the term may also be used to describe a student who is concentrating in nothing). As a broad program of study, the English Major provides students with an opportunity to slack off and analyze works of fiction and film originally written in English. Such an analysis prompts students to exercise both watching or reading skills, in which they analyze and reflect upon a text such that they can later pretend to interpret it and find meaning (real or imagined), and to present the results of their analysis in clear, cogent ]. A degree in English offers college graduates career opportunities in a number of fields which include (but are not limited to) Speaking English. The analytical and writing skills applied to an English major can also advance a career in Speaking English

History

They rose into prominence in no real colleges shortly after the introduction of the female system. It provided an opportunity for students to seek skills in reading (yeah, 3rd grade!!) with the aim of improving their particularly bad writing, as well as exercises in speaking the vernacular and only silly persuasive expression that had been traditionally only taught in an English speaking county and available to the very few due to not speaking English. Outside the United States (originating in Scotland and then rippling out into the English-speaking world) the English major (Lord knows Scotland needs it) became popular in the latter half of the 18th century. Literature was thought to act as a replacement for reason 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 popular culture.

Skills acquired

In the past an English major speaks English] in English usually meant nothing. Now, however, an English Major encompasses nothing, if English is not a second language. 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 illogic and reflective analysis; pretend and imagination with regards to the production of so-so writing; and an understanding of English speaking cultures, civilizations, and literary styles from various (liberal) time periods. Prospective English Majors can expect to take courses in , American and British literature, multi-English literature, several literary genres (such as poetry (rhymes), drama, and (not Literature by definition)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 do not attain skills in rhetoric, literary analysis, an appreciation for the English of cultures, and an ability to pretend to clearly and persuasively express their ideas in writing.

Examples of Courses

Most English courses fall into the broader categories of either Literature-based studies, which focus on classical authors and time periods, or complete bull, which concentrate on communication skills in preparation for specialization in a variety of high school fields. While specific graduation requirements vary from university to university, students can expect to study some of the following courses.

Courses in Writing and writing: such as Academic and Professional Writing, which stress writing and train students to produce clear, cohesive inaccuracies; and Creative pretending workshops.

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 Dickens, Tolkien, or Stevenson; or Literary schools and movements, such as Naturalism or Transcendentalism.

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.

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.

Rhetorical Courses: Focus on techniques of poorly arguing in the written form, as well as skills which involve the analysis of written texts.

Career opportunities

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 Speak English. The most obvious career choices for English Majors are , Being British, and [[Being Australian)}. However, other less intuitive job options include positions in Speaking English.

See also

Imagination

References

  • O'Hara, Shelley. What Can You Do with a Major in English?Prentend: Wiley Publishing Inc., 2005. ISBN 0-7645-7605-4
  • The University of K Courses and Programs of Study The College 2006-2008.
  • de Vane, William Clyde. The English Major. College English, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Oct., 1941), pp. 47–52
  • On the History of the not a Major,

External links

Categories: