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As an English major, you’ll take courses in topics such as:

• Analysis of literature
• Analysis of discourse 
• American literature 
• British literature 
• Creative writing 
• Foreign language

The curriculum focuses on exposing students to the great classics of literature, exploring the literary canons of America and the world from a Christian perspective. The program favors an active, involved approach; students investigate literary works through discussion and writing, as well as reading and thinking. The coursework also builds writing skills, helping students learn the basics of composition and structure, master diction and syntax, and become better thinkers and communicators.

Choose Your Focus

Bachelor of Arts in English – Literature

Required coursework in literature analysis and understanding Shakespeare is supplemented with literature electives exploring periods, genres and major literary figures. A wide selection of courses offers students the opportunity to design a program that suits their interests.

Bachelor of Arts in English – Writing

Required coursework in discourse analysis and research/composition is supplemented with classes in creative writing, professional writing, journalism, and composition and grammar.

Bachelor of Arts in English – Education

Language and literature courses are supplemented with teacher education classes and teaching experience in local classrooms, leading to an educator’s license in English.

Three-Three Law/English Program

Pre-law students with high test scores and excellent grades may enter the Three-Three Program, which positions qualified applicants for early admission to Mississippi College Law School. The program includes coursework in literature and foreign language, along with logic, economics, and business law and ethics.

The MC Experience

At Mississippi College’s Department of English, we’re proud to draw on a long tradition of scholarly inquiry and intellectual creativity. We strive to introduce students to the great heritage of Western literature, placed in context with classical and Christian humanism. Through these explorations, we hope to inspire students to greater wisdom and higher thinking.

How You’ll Learn

Boost your writing skills at the Mississippi College Writing Center, which provides free tutoring and consultations to MC students. The Center is staffed by fellow undergrads, who conduct interactive, one-on-one sessions with students of every major, providing intensive assistance with the writing process. Or, if writing skills are your strength, consider sharing your ability with your fellow students and becoming a tutor at the Writing Center.

Department of English faculty members bring a Christian perspective to the exploration of written culture. They are also accomplished in their fields, prolific researchers as well as dedicated professors. The department’s areas of research are diverse and varied, and relevant to contemporary concerns in literary analysis.

Lovers of language can follow their passion through study abroad, which offers exciting cultural adventures along with the opportunity to elevate language skills to a new level. Or, participate in the London Semester, and explore British literature in its historical context.

Education-track English majors fulfill their field teaching assignments in local high schools, and build the skills and experience to take charge of their own classrooms. Other English students have interned at Ergon, Mississippi Magazine, MPB and Quail Hollow Press.

What You’ll Do

Participate in Psi Zeta, the Mississippi College chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, a professional English fellowship. Psi Zeta works to advance scholarship in English, and supports the national organization’s goals of promoting written expression, encouraging worthwhile reading and fostering a spirit of fellowship among English students.

Help produce the Arrowhead, a student-published literary magazine with stories, poems, photos and articles written by students, alumni and faculty members.

Where You’ll Go

Our alumni have gone on to graduate school at Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, Alabama University, Wake Forest University, Temple University, Baylor, Tennessee, LSU, University of Maryland, Savannah College of Arts and Design, and others. They are teaching at colleges and universities throughout the nation, and enjoying successful careers in publishing, public relations and education. Take, for example, Dr. Ted Atkinson, an assistant professor at MSU and author of the well-received book Faulkner and the Great Depression. Or Kelly Foster, who serves on the English faculty at St. Andrews in Ridgeland; Foster writes a monthly column for Image, a highly respected journal of Christian writing produced by Seattle Pacific University. In one recent column, Foster paid tribute to MC’s own David Miller as one of the “three or four truly excellent teachers in my life—teachers who not only made lights come on for me, but who challenged and pushed me.” Dayn Perry, who studied creative writing at MC, is now a nationally known sports personality and author of two successful books about baseball.