Department of English
The study of English language and literature leads students to broaden their understanding of the human experience and to gain proficiency in written and spoken communication. By directing students to study and reflect on the creative works of great writers and to practice the crafts of writing and speaking in various applications, the English faculty at Faulkner University seek to reaffirm Christian ideals and practices in all walks of life. Through reading, writing, and discussion, students are equipped to make sound judgments not only in their evaluation and appreciation of literature and other forms of writing, but also in many phases of human activity.
To these ends, the English Department offers an introductory course in speech communication and the Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in one of the following areas: traditional literature and writing; composition and rhetoric; creative writing; and journalism.* Upon completion of one of these degree programs, students should be qualified to enter graduate school in their chosen field or take their places in the professional workforce. English is a good undergraduate major for those who want to enter law school and for those who want to find employment in jobs that require strong verbal and written communication skills, such as public relations, technical writing, sales, social work, civic service, and journalism.
Other academic opportunities made possible by the English Department include an English minor and two types of teaching certificates, which are described below:
A minor in English consists of eighteen (18) hours, which the student selects in consultation with his or her advisor. The minor must include at least six hours of upper-level courses.
In order to accomodate those who want a secondary-level teaching certificate in English, the English Department partners with Faulkner's Department of Education, which offers both the Bachelor's degree (Class B Certification) and the Master's degree (Alt A Certification) with a teaching field in English Language Arts.*
*All students who earn a Bachelor’s degree in English with emphasis in Composition/Rhetoric, Creative Writing, or Journalism must prepare a senior portfolio of work using the guidelines set by the respective national organizations. All students who earn a Bachelor's degree in English or Secondary Education/English Language Arts must take the ETS Field Exam in English as an exit requirement for graduation.