A Solid Foundation
To study English is to understand its power, its possibilities and its pleasures. As an English major at Illinois Wesleyan, you’ll examine writing past and present to discover its variety and complexity. You’ll learn to write with clarity and imagination. Studying English prepares students for graduate study and a wide range of careers, including public relations, law, journalism, teaching, editing and publishing, business, government, library science, advertising, marketing, and professional writing.
Why IWU?
Personal Attention
Our graduates constantly tell us that the research, analysis, argumentation, and written/oral communication skills they learned as an English major at IWU have set them apart from others in their chosen fields. Our faculty enjoy working one-on-one with students to help them reach their potential and their goals. Among us are playwrights, film critics, songwriters, award-winning poets and fiction writers, and internationally recognized literary scholars who spend time with students and develop authentic mentoring relationships.
Expand Your World
We encourage our majors to think outside the box and to take risks with their writing. The major is designed so that students will have plenty of opportunities to expand their worlds through study abroad, internships, and experiential learning. In fact, we encourage it. There are also opportunities for honors research and directed study.
Two Concentrations
We offer two sequences for majors: Literature Concentration and Writing Concentration that includes journalism and/or creative writing. There is enough flexibility that students can still take courses from the other concentration.
Contact
Michael Theune - Robert Harrington Endowed Professor of English and Chair of English
Department - English