English

Why Study English at K?

Through small class sizes and close relationships with faculty, you will learn how to wield language, express yourself, and critically observe the human experience.

As an English major or minor, you will learn about the power of language. Throughout history, writers and readers have borne witness to the human situation and leveraged their voices to alter the course of society. At K, we aim to teach you how to become a witness in and for the world. 

Through the study of English literature across global and historical cultures, the study of film and critical theory, the discipline of writing in a variety of genres, and the constant practice of collaboration, you will be better prepared to understand the complexity of the world, yourself, and the ways words and images shape reality. 

You will explore these topics through English literature classes, such as Global Shakespeares, Magical Realism, World Indigenous Literatures: The People and the Land, and writing-based courses in poetry, non-fiction, fiction, and journalism. 

These courses—in addition to the completion of your Senior Integrated Project—will give you the ability to critically witness, assess, and shape the world around you. These skills have propelled our alumni into successful careers in literature, law, communications, education, and community building. 

What can you do with an English degree?

Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our English alumni.

Careers

  • Librarian
  • Author
  • Attorney
  • Journalist
  • Marketing Specialist

Employers

  • Wisconsin Public Defender
  • AmeriCorps
  • City of Minneapolis
  • Money Magazine
  • Fulbright

Graduate Schools

  • Columbia University
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst
  • University of Denver
  • Marquette University

Program Spotlights

students sitting in a circle on the quad

Diverse English curriculum for the modern world

Many of our students find the department to be a safe place for challenging themselves and exploring new perspectives. Our faculty design interdisciplinary classes that include the stories of folks of different races, genders, and sexualities across time and place. We also recognize that not all storytelling methods resonate equally with all students, and so we offer a breadth of genres and mediums, including poetry, short stories, newspapers, novels, music and film.

Apply your English studies in the community

Whether it’s bringing Shakespeare into the local community, traveling to The Dickens Universe conference in California, working with local community gardens, or traveling to Costa Rica to practice your food and travel writing, the English department offers invaluable, hands-on experiences that will prepare you for life after graduation. 

Students working with local gardeners
The Cauldron book cover

Join a community of creators and write your own stories

At K, you will have the freedom to pursue your own projects. In our writing-based courses—fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and journalism—you will workshop pieces with classmates and professors and present them to the campus community at our end-of-term readings. You can also join one of K’s student publications, such as The Cauldron (literary magazine) or The Index (newspaper). In your senior year, you will get to work on your own collection, novel, literary analysis, or other project of your choice in your Senior Integrated Project.

Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor

Liam Diaz

Liam Diaz (he/him)

Majors: English and Philosophy


Concentration: Media Studies


Study Abroad: Rome


Best Adjective to Describe You: Eclectic

What is the best thing about being part of this department?

The faculty, the large selection of classes, and constantly being surrounded by people who are open to having interesting, weird conversations.

What drew you to the department?

I went into K expecting to be an English and Bio double major, so I always knew I would end up spending time getting to know the English faculty. As I began to lean towards the humanities, I took more English classes, got to know people, and it seemed more clear that I fit there.

What is your favorite thing about K?

The flexible curriculum let me explore all of my interests, not just the ones I wanted to pursue as a career.

What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?

An anthology of short stories set on a version of our world that is about to be destroyed by an asteroid. The stories explore how different people across the globe spend their last days on Earth.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?

I want to do something creative for a living, hopefully writing. I’ve also thought about getting into law or politics. I think I’d like to get my PHD at some point. We’ll see what happens. The world could change a lot in the next year.

English Department News