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English

Professor Derek Mong

Why study English?

The Wabash English department has a broad and diverse curriculum designed to prepare students for a range of academic and professional careers — law, teaching, business, the arts, and communications — as well as for the pleasures of life-long learning. Majors may choose from English classes in two tracks — literature or creative writing. Literature courses cover medieval to modern English literary periods, canonical and non-canonical texts, and a range of critical approaches. Creative writing classes introduce students to various genres – including fiction, poetry, essays, and video-game writing – through small and intensive workshops. For specific English course offerings, check out our curriculum.

Why go to college for English?

Wabash College English majors learn the value of close reading, accomplished writing, and literary and cultural analysis. Department faculty and staff foster an open classroom environment to encourage exploration and discussion of critical topics and methods within the field. In this way, students come to see the role imagination and the creative use of language play in helping us better understand the world and ourselves.

What can you do with a degree in English?

Strong writing skills are a valuable asset in any career. Recent Wabash graduates with an English degree have gone on to careers as high school teachers, pastors, attorneys, librarians, CEOs, and stockbrokers. They’ve become vice presidents of major insurance agencies, client operations specialist, IT business analysts, sales engineering managers, and Navy lieutenants. Others have directed Hollywood films, become television producers, or worked in sports entertainment. Some have gone on to graduate school or medical school.

Here are some additional resources for English students.