BA English

Students majoring in English literature at the University of La Verne are given the opportunity to examine critically the range of literary expression in English. They consider its multicultural, social, political, and world contexts and apply the results of their study to their own lives. This helps to establish a foundation for life-long learning.

The program prepares students for teaching, graduate study, and a wide variety of careers (including law and business), by educating them to think rigorously and flexibly, to communicate effectively, and to confront the ethical challenges of a changing world.

With an excellent faculty-student ratio, and classes frequently under twenty students, English majors receive individualized attention that helps them to succeed. They take core courses required in the major as well as a variety of upper-division electives. They may elect to enroll in a study-abroad course offered annually, usually in the January term: recent international courses have taken place in Italy.

In the department, all students are welcome to join the English Club, which promotes the academic and social interests of English majors. In the College of Arts and Sciences, students can participate in the “One Book, One University” project, which annually brings an outstanding contemporary writer to campus to lecture on a recent publication that is changing the current cultural landscape. On campus and in the surrounding Los Angeles area, students can enjoy a broad range of literary, theatrical, artistic, and cultural experiences that will enrich their education.

Over the course of their studies, students sharpen their understanding of language and literature, heighten their awareness of aesthetic qualities and imaginative writing, and examine the expression of human values and concerns. Students complete their degrees in English literature with a deeper understanding of major events in literary history and their relationship to the world at large. The knowledge and skills they gain can contribute to a better, more fulfilling life.