Mission

As part of Bradley University's academic community, the English Department offers a scholarly environment for writing and the study of literature. The Department believes that this environment will enable students to become lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and successful professionals.

The Department is committed to:

• developing students' writing skills for creative, academic, or professional purposes;
• strengthening students' critical thinking and research skill;
• increasing students' knowledge and appreciation of the literatures of diverse periods and cultures and broadening students' understanding of and facility with language.

The Department's faculty pursues these commitments through specific program objectives:

1. The major/minor program provides students with a curriculum built around

• coherence in building skills and knowledge;
• openness to both current critical practice and historical developments in related fields;
• authorization of a canon that is as inclusive as possible;
• diversity of faculty and student interests;
• dedication to training students in thinking critically, writing persuasively, and speaking confidently about their discipline as a foundation for personal enrichment, advanced study, professions, or employment.

Each level of the curriculum builds upon the previous level:

The 200-level courses introduce students to the discipline of English and provide survey coverage of major periods, writers, and issues of literature in English.

The 300-level courses enable students to become conversant with multiple critical approaches and acquainted with significant primary and secondary texts.

The 400-level "capstone" course helps students develop their writing and critical thinking skills within the professional context of literary skills.

The creative writing program helps students explore creativity, experiment with language and form, and develop a personal aesthetic.