English
Bennion
Center
252
Declared
Majors
16
Average
Class Size
Courses
Getting Started
- Prioritize starting a language to fulfill the B.A. language requirement
- Fulfill the QA (i.e. math) requirement during your first year
- Take ENGL 3850 - Introductory Seminar in Literary Study
Making Progress
- Intentionally select other English courses based upon your interests & professional goals
- Take courses outside of English to discover possible double majors, minors, or add to your skill set
Finishing Up
- Take ENGL 5650 Advanced Seminar in Literary Study
- Complete an undergraduate research project or thesis if applicable
- Apply for graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Attend first year welcome events such as the Dept of English Welcome Breakfast, College of Humanities Pizza Party, PlazaFest, etc.
- Get to know both your fellow students & your professors, many will become your lifelong friends & mentors
Making Progress
- Get involved with a writing/literary student group like The Canticle, theEnglish Student Enrichment Association, The Daily Utah Chronicle, or Wasatch Magazine
- Continue building relationships with your fellow students & professors
- Reach out to English alumni in your chosen career field to build your professional network
- Purchase an Arts Pass & use it to attend artistic and cultural events
Finishing Up
- Keep in touch with your fellow students & meet other Utah alums in our globalnetwork by joining the Alumni Association
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Attend the Major Expo to explore majors & minors
- Meet with your academic advisor & professors
- Use your Gen Ed coursework to explore areas of interest outside your major or minor
Making Progress
- Gain new skills that complement your major coursework by taking courses or workshops outside of your major
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities through the UROP or the Honors College
- Consider studying abroad via the Department of English's London Summer Program or another learning abroad program
Finishing Up
- Complete an undergraduate research project or thesis if applicable
- Create an ePortfolio that highlights your academic achievements & professional potential
Transformation
Getting Started
- Explore student clubs & organizations at the U at PlazaFest or by visiting the ASUU website
- Use Gen Ed courses to discover other subjects & methodologies
- Take time to reflect upon your interests, values, talents, & aspirations
Making Progress
- Intentionally select major(s)/minor(s) that match your personal, academic, & professional goals
- Join or even start a student club or organization
- Participate in one of the Alternate Breaks organized by the Bennion Center
- Visit the Bennion Center to find out how you can participate in a service project
- Devote time to self-exploration and self-awareness
Finishing Up
- Thank all of the family members, friends, students, staff, and faculty who helped you graduate from the U
- Attend commencement & convocation
Impact
Getting Started
- Attend a MUSE Casual Friday
- Use what you learn both in your classes & outside of them to reflect upon the problems you see in the world (locally, state-wide, nationally, & globally)
Making Progress
- Choose one or two problems that you would like to devote your time and talent to solve; strategize a plan for incorporating this mission into your academic & career plans
- Explore volunteer opportunities
- Join or even create a student organization related to this project
Finishing Up
- Organize a community service project or fundraising event
- Make alumni contacts via LinkedIn or AlumniFire who can serve as mentors as you move forward in accomplishing your chosen mission
Careers
Getting Started
- Complete career exploration activities such as Focus2, CliftonStrengths by Gallup, Knowdell Career Values Card Sort, MBTI, etc.
- Meet with your academic advisor as well as your Career Coach in the CPDC
Making Progress
- Continue building relationships with your academic advisor & Career Coach
- Attend the Career Fair
- Begin working on your LinkedIn profile, resume, and cover letter
- Take a career course like HUM 3960
- Search for & secure an internship or part-time job relevant to your career aspirations
- Conduct informational interviews with alumni working in your chosen career field
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The English major at the University of Utah allows you to enter a world rich with intellectual possibilities. In addition to studying the vast range of literature written in English from the 8th century through the present day, you'll have the opportunity to explore theory, film, graphic novels, video games, digital humanities, and popular culture while developing skills in critical and creative writing. These skills extend beyond literature; they are also central to any career or subsequent degree that demands the ability to think, argue, write, and speak about complicated issues. All English courses are designed to foster analytical agility: you will read compelling, intricately-constructed works of literature, pull them apart, turn them inside out, and put them back together again to understand how they work. The English program at the University of Utah is frequently recognized as one of the strongest in the University. With smaller class sizes, you will receive a level of personal attention that is not possible at most large public universities. English produces smarter, more self-aware people who can master new fields quickly and move between them successfully. You'll be capable of analyzing complex systems and understanding nuance in a world that is seldom black and white.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn to identify important issues raised by a text and state them in clear, well-focused language.
- Learn to analyze and interpret texts with close attention to language as well as ideas.
- Learn to apply critical analysis to cultural artifacts, particularly texts, in a specific culture and across cultures.
- Develop the ability to work critically with fundamental ideas about literary genres, themes, styles, historical periods, and cultural contexts.
- Become familiar with major literary theories and critical approaches.
- Pursue research using both technological and archival resources.
- Learn to effectively address the complex issues or interpretive challenges that texts present and develop your own critical hypotheses.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.