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I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION: THE STUDY OF ENGLISH
For much of its history as an academic discipline, English has been defined as the study of the masterpieces of British and American literature. That definition is much too narrow to describe the activities and interests of an English department at a major university today. In general terms, an English department seeks to engage students in ways of thinking, talking, and writing about literature. But since literature takes the entire world and the whole range of experience as its province, the study of literature becomes an exploration of the human condition. English courses examine the cultural assumptions that are embodied not only in literary masterpieces, but also in a variety of popular art forms, ranging from song lyrics to film. Such courses help prepare students for an imaginative lifelong engagement with culture in its variety and complexity.
English is important because it enables students, through the practice of the language arts, to cultivate a habit of reflection that is both critical and creative. Through reading and writing, students learn to analyze experience both lived and fictive, and in the process to appreciate the diversity of culture and question the ways of the world around them. They discover for themselves ways to envision what is possible and, as they mature intellectually, realize that these constructions are provisional and subject to revision. The English major helps students to expand and refine their ability to communicate these creative possibilities, both to delight audiences and to engage them in contemplating the ethics of knowing and doing in the world.
In addition to enriching intellectual life, the English major prepares students for the wide range of careers in which research and writing are important, including publishing, advertising, public relations, journalism, and technical writing. English provides excellent preparation for professional schools, particularly in law, medicine, and business, and for graduate school in a variety of disciplines. More details concerning the career benefits of English study will be found in a later section of this pamphlet. The English Undergraduate Office (Ballantine 442, 855-9532) and the Career Development Center (625 N. Jordan Ave., 855-5234) also supply current information on career planning.
Given the rich resources of a large university, the English program at Indiana is diverse and flexible. Courses – most of them limited to maximum enrollments of 25 or 30 – are regularly offered in English and American literature and culture, popular culture, film, creative writing, composition, language theory, criticism, the history of the language, and the relationships between literature and other disciplines. The flexibility and range of the curriculum are a reflection of the intellectual concerns of the faculty, many of whom participate actively in strong interdisciplinary programs available at Indiana: American Studies, Comparative Literature, Film Studies, Gender Studies, Jewish Studies, Literacy Studies, Medieval Studies, Renaissance Studies, and Victorian Studies.
The Department, because of the scholarly reputation of its faculty, consistently ranks among the top English programs nationally, and takes great pride in its commitment to the undergraduate curriculum and to the quality of its teaching. Several journals are published in the Department, including one devoted to creative writing. Prizes are awarded annually for the best undergraduate essays, stories, and poems, and for academic achievements. A professional academic counselor is available for advice, and faculty are available as a resource for majors.
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