Illinois Wesleyan
English

Explore Your World

A Solid Foundation

To study English is to understand its power, its possibilities and its pleasures. As an English major at Illinois Wesleyan, you’ll examine writing past and present to discover its variety and complexity. You’ll learn to write with clarity and imagination. Studying English prepares students for graduate study and a wide range of careers, including public relations, law, journalism, teaching, editing and publishing, business, government, library science, advertising, marketing, and professional writing.

English at IWU 

Opportunities to Explore
 
Student Publications
Student Publications
Want to get involved in a publication?  Whether you are interested in creative writing or journalism, being part of a production staff or submitting work, Illinois Wesleyan University's English students have many opportunities to get involved in writing, editing, and producing publications that are wholly student-run.
Research
Research
IWU encourages qualified students to pursue projects of original research under the guidance of a faculty member.
Internships
Internships
Put your studies into practice by interning during your time in college. The Hart Career Center is a great resource for helping students find internships.
Study Abroad
Study Abroad
You could travel with fellow IWU students and professors for a semester in London or Madrid, travel to another country for a year or a semester through a study abroad program, enjoy a semester in Chicago through the Urban Studies program, or make a shorter trip during May Term.
Honors & Awards
Honors & Awards
Each year English majors and minors have the opportunity to earn membership in two honor societies and win awards based on their research and writing abilities.
Readings & Events
Readings & Events
Every year the Colwell Lecture and Reading Series brings one new writer or scholar to campus so that students can continue to expand their literary horizons. 

Why IWU

Personal Attention

Our graduates constantly tell us that the research, analysis, argumentation, and written/oral communication skills they learned as an English major at IWU have set them apart from others in their chosen fields. Our faculty enjoy working one-on-one with students to help them reach their potential and their goals. Among us are playwrights, film critics, songwriters, award-winning poets and fiction writers, and internationally recognized literary scholars who spend time with students and develop authentic mentoring relationships.
 

Expand Your World

We encourage our majors to think outside the box and to take risks with their writing. The major is designed so that students will have plenty of opportunities to expand their worlds through study abroad, internships, and experiential learning. In fact, we encourage it. There are also opportunities for honors research and directed study.

Two Concentrations

We offer two sequences for majors: Literature Concentration and Writing Concentration that includes journalism and/or creative writing. There is enough flexibility that students can still take courses from the other concentration.

Where Do You Want To Go Next?