Department of English and Modern Languages

Mission Statement

The Department of English & Modern Languages encourages intellectual curiosity, social consciousness, and cultural accountability through the study of language and literature. The Department engages a broad range of literary and linguistic study to promote an appreciation of diverse human communication. Within the department, there is a dedicated focus to the philosophy of “writing across the curriculum” through intentional interdisciplinary engagement throughout the department curriculum.

Further, the Department of English & Modern Languages is responsible for administering general education courses in Composition, Literature, and Modern Languages. As a service department for the College, it assists students with mastery of communication skills and provides activities that contribute to a comprehensive liberal arts education. As a unit offering courses leading to a major in the discipline, the Department of English prepares students for advanced study in literature, linguistics, law, education, and other related fields.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate familiarity with the terminology and basic findings of linguistic analysis-student comprehensive exams.
Students will evaluate, analyze, and synthesize the content (major works, moments, figures) found in African American, American, and British Literatures-student comprehensive exams.
Students will demonstrate the ability to generate original academic thought, conduct sustained research, exhibit critical thinking skills, and analyze and synthesize texts. -senior thesis
Students will demonstrate proficiency in standard English communication and the ability to produce organized academic writing. -senior thesis

The Senior Comprehensive Exams and the Senior Thesis are the assessment tools for the department’s student learning outcomes.