Student Learning Outcomes

At the time of receiving a bachelor’s degree, English majors should be able to:

understand, analyze, and interpret literary texts, especially through close and critical reading
place literature in relation to its historical, cultural, intellectual, theoretical, aesthetic, social, and political contexts
locate, evaluate, and use relevant scholarship, literary criticism, and cultural commentary, both in print and online
formulate a focused, well-organized, and stylistically appropriate argument that supports its claims with evidence and demonstrates an awareness of audience, purpose, and context
engage in public discourse through careful listening, respectful questioning, and thoughtful speaking in both formal and informal settings
collaborate with others to identify, define, and solve problems related to the production, publication, and interpretation of literature

recognize literature as a vehicle for both individual and cultural expression that can engage the imagination, elicit feeling, express value, and enable inquiry
identify the major historical periods of literature written in English, including British, American, and Anglophone authors, movements, and styles
identify the characteristics of different forms of literature, including the major genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama) and hybrid forms
demonstrate familiarity with representative theories of criticism and interpretation, both historical and contemporary
demonstrate familiarity with literary terms, themes, and techniques, both traditional and experimental
understand the relationship between language, authorship, publication, audience, and power
appreciate the importance of difference in producing, publishing,and interpreting literature, including racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, religious, economic, and ideological differences
appreciate the relationship of literature to other arts, such as dance, music, photography, film, theater, visual art, and performance