The Department of English and Philosophy offers broad curricula in two humanistic disciplines. English studies include courses that treat the nature of language, courses that explore human experience as represented in imaginative literature, and courses that develop general and specialized writing skills. The philosophy curriculum examines such topics as the nature of reality and being, the ways that knowledge is acquired, and the bases for ethical choices. These curricula serve two broad purposes: 1) they contribute to the general education, the personal enrichment and fulfillment, of students in all disciplines, and 2) they lead to degrees with majors or minors. Specifically, the department offers the B.A., M.A., and D.A. in English, the B.A. in philosophy. (Full descriptions of the graduate degree programs in English may be found in the Graduate Catalog.)
Equipped with an undergraduate degree in either English or philosophy, students are prepared to enter graduate degree programs, to pursue training in such professions as medicine, law, or religion, or to embark upon a great variety of careers in government/business/industry that demand broad, liberal perspectives and strong observational, fact-finding, analytical, and communication skills. Additionally, English majors (with proper certification) are well prepared for careers in secondary education.