English
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About English at St. Norbert College
The English program focuses on developing writing skills; analyzing, interpreting and enjoying literature; and on studying the English language. The program offers:
- The regular academic major (10 courses)
- The academic major with a creative writing concentration (10 courses)
- The English major with secondary education certification (10 courses)
- The English minor and the English teaching minor (6 courses)
Why study English?
In a recent survey of more than 1,200 St. Norbert College alumni, 94 percent reported that learning to think critically was very important, if not essential, in preparing them for their personal and professional lives. 90 percent thought that learning to write effectively was just as important.
Besides providing excellent preparation for those who wish to go on to graduate school, the English major offers more than a program. It offers ample opportunity for students to practice critical thinking, in part by developing writing skills. Literature courses encourage the exercise of critical judgment, and the following courses help students improve their ability to write well: Introduction to Literature, Advanced Critical Writing, Business Writing, Fiction Workshop, Poetry Workshop, Advanced Seminar in Creative Writing and Tutorial in Advanced Creative Writing.
English majors who meet grade-point requirements may join
Sigma Tau Delta, a national scholarly society for promoting English studies. The St. Norbert chapter promotes literary celebrations, hosts discussion groups and sponsors the annual Literary Awards writing contest. Many English majors also contribute to Graphos, the College's literary magazine.
St. Norbert College English instructors help students gain knowledge of the aesthetic and moral values reflected in literature and to acquire the skills of reading, writing, imagining and creating, which they will find useful and liberating in their lives. The aptly prepared English major has many professional and career options.
Some minors related to English include
American Studies,
Classical Studies and
Women’s and Gender Studies.
English mission statement
English supports the mission of the College as a Catholic, liberal arts college embracing the Norbertine tradition of community, committed to providing an educational environment that is intellectually, spiritually and personally challenging. English majors and faculty interact inside and outside the classroom, engaging in conversations about literature, connecting literature to spiritual concerns and encouraging each other to participate actively in the College community. The English discipline’s vision is to help English majors become caring, well-rounded citizens. English majors graduate with the knowledge, skills and desire necessary to make positive contributions to the communities they enter. To that end, the English major includes the following:
- Coverage – students explore the broad canvas of English and American literature, which we recognize as an evolving rather than static body of work
- Skills – students practice the essential skills of critical inquiry through reading, analysis and academic writing
- Theory – students learn the debates that frame the study of literature and how to apply theoretical paradigms to readings of literature
- Language – students engage in the study of a foreign language
- Creativity – students may pursue creative writing
- Service – students may serve the College and outside communities through academic organizations and extra-curricular projects
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