Reasons to Major in English

English majors learn valuable analytical and communication skills through reading of complex literary texts, class discussion, frequent writing assignments, and oral presentations. Majors in English find themselves well prepared for graduate school in English and creative writing, for teaching, for law school and other professional schools, and for careers in publishing, management, advertising, and other professions requiring creativity, careful attention to language and critical thinking.

The English major affords a thorough historical introduction to the traditions of English and American literature. Students study a broad range of topics in literature and culture, such as Caribbean and Irish literature, literary theory, African American literature, gay and lesbian literature, gender studies, film studies, science and literature, and children's literature.

The Stadler Center for Poetry affords students the opportunity to learn from distinguished poets/writers-in-residence. Bucknell's English Department offers broad curricular choices. Students participate in literary magazines and poetry and fiction readings. The Bucknell English Department ranks ninth (in the past decade) out of over 500 liberal arts colleges and universities for number of majors going on to receive Ph.D’s.