Students who major in English study literature and other forms of verbal expression, literary history and criticism, critical theory, linguistics, and creative writing. Courses offered by the department explore a wide range of discourses written in English, including poetry, drama, fiction, film, popular culture, and electronic media. Students examine the cultural, social, political, and economic contexts that condition a variety of texts. Majors write extensively and learn to express themselves effectively, both orally and in writing. They gain practical insight into the words that they speak, read, and write.