English
Program Details
Good stories help us better understand the world, ourselves and one another. As a student in the English major, you’ll perfect the art of writing while exploring the history and interpretation of different literary genres, including fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, poetry, speeches, scripts and more. You'll also have the opportunity to customize your academic journey according to your career aspirations through the program's writing and literature concentrations.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. 99 percent of our students, including those in the English major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).
Concentrations
Literature, Writing (Creative and Professional)
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in English
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the English major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- English 115: Rhetoric............ 3cr.
- Core 100: First-Year Seminar............ 3cr.
- Core 101 GOA: First-Year Co-Curriculum Program I............ 0cr.
- second language I............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 100: Intro to Ethics............ 3cr.
- Mathematics Perspectives............ 3cr.
Spring
- Literature & Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Theology 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- second language II............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 200: Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Core 102 GOA: First-Year Co-Curriculum Program II............ 0cr.
Fall
- English 210: Methods Workshop............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspective............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspective............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspective ............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Reasoning Flag............ 3cr.
Spring
- English 221: Poetry............ 3cr.
- Theory/Criticism Major Elective............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- Social Science Elective............ 3cr.
Fall
- British Literature Major Elective............ 3cr.
- American Literature Major Elective............ 3cr.
- Oral Communications Flag............ 3cr.
- E/RS Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
Spring
- British or American Literature Major Elective............ 3cr.
- Language/Linguistics Major Elective............ 3cr.
- Solidarity and Kinship Flag............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
Fall
- English Major Elective............ 3cr.
- English Major Elective............ 3cr.
- Writing Intensive Flag............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
Spring
- English 499: Senior Seminar............ 3cr.
- English Major Elective............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
- General Elective/Double Major or Minor requirement............ 3cr.
English Courses
Sample courses within the English major curriculum:
- History of the English Language (ENGL 321) - Explore the fascinating history of how English gained legitimacy, has been maintained and continues to proliferate as a dominant force on the world stage. English majors in this course examine the socio-historical story of the English language, including origins, variation, change, legitimization, maintenance and spread.
- Literature of the American West (ENGL 479)- Examine novels and short stories set in the American West, past and present, by American writers like Stephen Crane, Dorothy Johnson, Cormac McCarthy, Sherman Alexie, E.L. Doctorow and Annie Proulx.
- American Minority Literature (ENGL 489)- Read, study and discuss a wide range of American minority literature from the mid-nineteenth century to the present.
- Writing for the Media (COMM 206) - Introductory level course on writing for the media, including public media and controlled media, in print, broadcast or online form. Develops skills in journalistic, news-style writing and feature writing, as well as other styles used in advertising, news and public relations. Workshop/laboratory setting with deadline writing experience.
- Elements of Copy & Design (COMM 237) - Provides fundamental knowledge and skill in advertising copywriting, layout and design, Course topics will include interpreting target audiences, creative concept formulation, advertising copywriting, design and layout. The vocabulary and language associated with graphic design/advertising and production processes will be covered. Students will develop a variety of sample advertisements during the course.
English Careers
99% of Xavier students, including those in the English major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2022). Explore Xavier's Career Outcomes Dashboard to view career outcomes by major.
Career Opportunities: The English major develops the critical thinking and communication skills needed for careers in marketing, education, publishing, journalism, web content management and public relations. Career opportunities include copywriter, digital content strategist, editor, English teacher, freelance writer, grant writer, journalist, marketing coordinator, medical/technical writer, nonprofit administration, marketing manager, public relations coordinator, SEO strategist, teacher, writer, AI prompt engineer, web content manager
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshops and maintaining an employer database. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for open positions.
English Clubs
- Book Club- The Book Club offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for students to come together and explore literature in a relaxed setting. It provides a space for open-minded discussions and encourages creative expression beyond the confines of traditional coursework.
- Xavier Newswire- The Xavier Newswire is Xavier's weekly campus newspaper that is written and edited by the students of Xavier University.
- Clocktower Review- The Clocktower Review is Xavier's literary and art magazine. Students publish poetry, prose, and art in this review once per semester.
- Film & Television Club- Members in this club produce a weekly news broadcast including a sports segment, with the entire show being produced by students.
When we seek something more, we become something greater.
Find more information about how you can become a Musketeer.
Request InformationGet Certified to Teach High School English
At Xavier, you can major in English while working toward specific requirements for secondary (high school) teacher certification. Our department collaborates closely with the School of Education to provide a program tailored to prepare you for a teaching career.
Study Abroad in the United Kingdom
As a student in the English major, you'll have opportunities to study abroad in Ireland and England where you’ll watch plays at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, study English and Irish writers, explore museums and take for-credit English courses.
Kickstart Your Writing Career in Cincinnati, Ohio
In Cincinnati, Ohio, you'll find numerous internship opportunities to develop your skills in editing, journalism, marketing, grant writing, teaching and strategic communication planning in the corporate, private and nonprofit industries.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
English Major at Xavier University
The 36-hour English major begins with courses designed to develop students' writing and introduce them to the history and interpretation of literary genres and the theories behind interpretation. Upper-division literature courses deal with specific periods or themes. Three of these are electives. Students seeking secondary teaching certification can fulfill the English requirements for certification without taking English courses beyond the major requirements. Undergraduates who wish to be certified as teachers of English on the secondary level are advised to consult with the Chair of the English Department and with the Office of Teacher Education and Placement regarding specific requirements for teacher certification.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."