Why English?
The study of literature is more than just the critical analysis of written works throughout the centuries—it is the study of human cultural production and aesthetic experience. The practical importance of this type of study is best expressed by students who have come though the major, such as Kate Massey ’03, who said, “To study literature is to learn to look at the world with an eye both creative and rigorously analytical, to learn to understand any experience more precisely and profoundly, to learn, in short, how to live,” or Emily Carson ’03, who agreed, “Reading and responding intently and empathetically to literature has taught me to think seriously about how we as a global community interact with one another, a skill I find to be a valuable byproduct of the study of language.”
Students approaching graduation, in particular, ask ‘Why English?’ when confronted with the prospect of finding a career. Many students feel they must choose between personal interest and career preparation, between the kind of intellectual interests they would like to pursue and the realities of a tight job market. However, employers recruiting at Richmond say they want graduates who can think and express themselves effectively, who have experience with a variety of intellectual methods and perspectives and who enjoy work that genuinely engages the mind.
Most English majors have an avid appreciation of literature as well as a love of language and of writing. As a result, the curriculum not only strengthens their writing skills and stimulates critical thinking but also engages their passions.
