Department DescriptionThe Department of English Language and Literature offers programs of study that lead to the bachelor of arts and the master of arts degrees. In the undergraduate program, students may pursue a general English program, or they may choose an emphasis in creative writing or secondary English education. Three minors in English are offered for students majoring in other disciplines: one in Language and Literature, one in Creative Writing, and one in Writing. M.A. students may choose from emphases in Literature, Language and Literature, or in Creative Writing. English is an academic discipline eligible for full participation in the University's Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program.The department includes faculty who have a broad range of professional competence in the study of literature and language, and who are trained to teach courses in British and American literature, linguistics, American culture, film, creative writing, and composition. The department believes the study and teaching of literature and language to be an important means of preserving and vitalizing our humanistic tradition.
Special ResourcesPublicationsThe department and the College of Arts and Sciences publish New Letters, a continuation of The University Review, which for over 50 years published the works of new and distinguished writers. New Letters continues to provide a medium for the best imaginative writing available.The English Language and Literature Department sponsors the publication of Number One, a magazine of student poetry and fiction, and The Sosland Journal, a collection of award-winning student essays from the Ilus W. Davis contest. BkMk Press, operated under the auspices of the College of Arts and Sciences and housed in the department, publishes books of high-quality poetry and prose by professional writers.
Greater Kansas City Writing ProjectThe English Language and Literature Department, in conjunction with several local school districts, sponsors the Greater Kansas City Writing Project (GKCWP), a graduate in-service program for teachers of writing (K-14). This program consists of summer graduate credit workshops and school district in-service sessions throughout the academic year. The GKCWP is an official National Writing Project affiliate.
Related Information, Opportunities, and ConferencesThe English Language and Literature Department sponsors undergraduate and graduate student conferences, a writers' reading series, two summer creative writing workshops (the Mark Twain Workshop and the New Letters Writers Conference), and annual contests for the Barbara Storck Poetry and Short Story Award and the Ilus W. Davis Award in Expository Writing. The department offers additional scholarships for creative writers in the names of former students: Mbembe Milton Smith, Gary William Barger and Crystal Field. Graduate students are also eligible for the Farnsworth Fellowship. I-PhD students can apply for the Ilus Davis Doctoral Teaching Fellowship. The department also offers courses and an annual conference for English teachers as part of its continuing education function.
Career Implications of the Undergraduate DegreeThe English major is recommended for students interested in a broad, general background in the humanities and in the skills of analysis, synthesis, and self-expression. It is excellent preparation for medicine, business, and law, as well as for further literary study in graduate school.In addition to careers in education, writing, and editing, English majors with writing and editorial skills find that they are desirable candidates for positions in businesses where effective communication and written evaluation are required.
Advising SystemAll undergraduate English majors are assigned to the departmental undergraduate faculty adviser.
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