Academic Programs

Academic Programs in English


The Major

Students majoring in English have three options. They may major in English with a Literature Emphasis or in English with a Writing Emphasis or in English Education, where they will prepare to teach secondary English.

Education Emphasis:

The English Education program at Washburn University prepares teacher candidates to teach English/language arts in grades 6-12. For more information, please visit the Education Emphasis web pages. 

Literature Emphasis:

The Literature Emphasis develops strong critical thinking and analytical skills through scholarship and research writing. For more information, please visit the Literature Emphasis web pages. 

Writing Emphasis:

The Writing Emphasis creates opportunities for students to learn to write creatively and practically and to respond to the diverse needs of varied reading audiences. For more information, please visit the Writing Emphasis web pages.

Instructions for Declaring a Major

  1. Log into your MyWashburn account.
  2. Click on the “Academic Success” tab.
  3. In the left-hand column under “Academic Advising,” click on “Declare or Change Your Undergraduate Major.”
  4. Fill out the online form and submit it.

 

The Minor

Students who exercise the Optional Minor in English may take one of two paths.

Writing Emphasis:

In consultation with the chairperson of the department, they may satisfy the Optional Minor with an emphasis in writing. Students exercising this option should take nine hours of writing courses (excluding EN 101 and EN 300). Students may then wish to satisfy the remainder of their fifteen hours by choosing further writing courses or any suggested and appropriate literature courses.

Literature and Language Emphasis:

Students may also choose to satisfy the Optional Minor in English through a sequence of appropriate literature and language courses. A suggested assemblage of courses, for example, would be EN 225 and/or EN 226; EN 330 and/or EN 331; EN 345; EN 360 and/or EN 361; other appropriate lower or upper division English courses. The department will allow the student, in consultation with the chairperson of the English Department, to assemble an effective grouping of courses.