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English Literature Major

Bachelor of Arts

Program Overview

The English Department at ORU emphasizes literature that embodies the "good, true and the beautiful" of Western civilization. From this perspective, students also have the opportunity to explore non-Western literature and minority voices foundational to American culture and to discover their own voices through literary writing. The English Department endeavors to enhance students' knowledge of their literary heritage, to refine and craft their skills of analysis, syntheses and evaluation and to express themselves in the art of writing as well as relate their Christian faith to their culture.

English Literature Major

"When I decided to be an English Literature major, I absolutely could not imagine myself studying anything else. My passion for reading, writing and analysis naturally propelled me to study English.

"I believe at the end of four years, I will be better off academically, spiritually, and socially than if I had studied anywhere else."

Student: Elroy
Major: English Literature
Hometown: North Miami, FL

The English literature major is designed for students wanting to become adept in composition and well acquainted with the evolving canon of English and American literature. The major provides a knowledge of the development of genres, of historical influences on literature, of major literary figures and of significant minority writers who have contributed to the rich diversity of American multicultural heritage.

Students learn to analyze grammatical structures of the English language, to apply linguistic principles, to analyze writing style based on grammatical structures and to trace the development of the English language.

They also learn to summarize, paraphrase, analyze, synthesize and evaluate written material and to formulate theses and support them by logical argument. English students learn research writing that demonstrates the ability to use scholarly sources in appropriate ways, with quotations incorporated skillfully and correctly.

The English literature major helps students synthesize their faith and their field of study by analytical methods and evaluative standards. The major prepares students to continue studies on the graduate level. As they go into their professions, such as business, law, government service or teaching, they will be able to articulate their own values and faith in terms appropriate to their social and professional contexts.

A concentration may be earned in one of several areas by completing a minimum of 12 hours in that concentration. Students may use 12 of their elective hours to earn the concent
ration.

Concentration areas

Art (ART) (English literature and writing majors)
An art concentration can benefit writing majors who help design brochures, web pages and other documents involving graphics. An art concentration complements an English literature major by connecting the art and literature of an age.

Biblical Literature (for English literate and writing majors)
Students who are interested in literary analysis and theory may wish to pursue these as they apply to Biblical literature. A knowledge of the Bible prepares students for Christian ministry in a wide variety of roles, especially as teachers and leaders.

Church History (for English literature and writing majors)
Knowledge of Church history and theology gives students of literature a deeper knowledge of the historical contexts that all the arts are grounded in. This concentration prepares students for Christian ministry, especially as teachers and leaders

Church Ministries (for English Literature and writing majors)
This concentration provides background for active Christian ministry within churches, in outreach and in pastoral care.

Communications (for English literature majors)
A concentration in communications builds on and complements an English literature major, allowing the student to choose branching out into related fields.

Community Development (ICD) (for English literature and writing majors)
Following ORU's vision to "go into every person's world," many graduates seek to serve people and communities both inside and outside the U.S. The concentration in community development helps prepare students for service-oriented work.

ESL (for English literature and writing majors)
Many students majoring in English go on to teach English in foreign countries. The ESL concentration is designed to help prepare English or writing students for such work abroad. (No prerequisites required.)

Prelaw (for English literature and writing majors)
The writing and English literature majors are excellent programs for students interested in pursuing a legal career because they foster communication and critical thinking skills.

Student Societies, Clubs and Extracurricular opportunities

Sigma Tau Delta - The International English Honor Society
Its central purpose is to confer distinction upon outstanding students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies.
The Pentangle (also known as the English Club)
The English Club meets periodically for poetry readings and various social events. The club is open to English and writing majors as well as to any students who enjoy literature and writing.
Promethia
The Promethia is the ORU literary magazine that showcases poetry, essays, short stories and black-and-white photography created by ORU students, faculty and staff. Produced annually by students, Promethia seeks to display the finest literary efforts of the ORU community.