Research
Research within the Department of English is an integral part of the major. Every English major will take two versions of English 400: Junior/Senior Seminar and both times the student will write an extensive, carefully supervised research paper as part of the coursework.
For students who wish to pursue further research, there is the option to participate in the English Honors Program. This program involves a year’s worth of work under the direction of a faculty member, the end result of which is an extensively researched thesis. Participants in the Honors Program have the option of continuing a subject or research area that they first discovered in the classroom or formulating a completely new topic based on a particular interest. Faculty thesis directors guide students as their topic grows and changes and provide resources that are helpful to the research process. Students who write honors theses can present their work in the spring of their senior year at the School of Arts & Sciences’ Student Symposium.
The School of Arts & Sciences provides a number of research fellowships for students to complete summer research on campus. In addition, students who are invited to present their research at a regional or national conference or meeting can apply for travel funds through the School.
Independent Study
Additional research opportunities are available for students enrolled in an independent study course. Independent research with the assistance of a faculty member is an excellent way to explore a particular area of English while earning academic credit.
Many students find that the relationship they build with a faculty mentor while pursuing their independent research strengthens their commitment to pursuing the study of English at the graduate level.
