English - Literature

About the Program

Writing and literature courses broaden students’ communication skills, as well as their general cultural and aesthetic awareness. The program offers a full range of American, British, and world literature classes. Ample attention is also given to modern and contemporary literature and living writers. The English Program faculty actively publish books, essays, stories, poems, and articles.

Mentor scholarships allow students to work one-on-one with faculty on writing, teaching, and research projects. Many nationally known writers visit SMSU for readings and events, such as the Marshall Festival. English majors have their own lounge, the Holm & Dacey Lounge, which houses a lending library of books and literary magazines. All English majors are encouraged to join the English Club. Campus residents may opt to live in the Fine Arts Community, the home for all English, Speech, Theatre, and Art majors.

Core Literature Classes

SMSU has a large selection of literature classes from traditional to contemporary genres. These range from Shakespeare and British Literature to American and Post-World War II courses. Special emphasis is given to women’s literature, literary criticism, and diversity literature.

Part of the University

Literature majors can take advantage of all that SMSU has to offer. They may attend national writing conferences and hear visiting writers who regularly present on campus. The major lends itself to pre-law and pre-business if students add a second major or wisely use their elective credits. Majors may also be pre-medicine with additional advising from a science professor. The major prepares students for graduate studies in literature and in library science.

An English with Literature Emphasis Major should...

• possess strong grammar and writing skills;
• have strong reading skills and a broad reading background;
• have advanced writing and reading classes from high school that include Shakespeare and other major contemporary American, British, and world writers.

Activities

• The Spur (SMSU student newspaper): a chance for students to practice writing for the campus audience
• Writing Center: upper-class students are eligible to become tutors
• Scholarship/Mentorship: allows students to work one-on-one with SMSU faculty while receiving tuition reimbursement
• Perceptions: a literary and arts journal for students to have their works published
• The English Club: students attend regional and national writing conferences, as well as plan writing-related events
• Readings and Open Mic Events: students may read their own writing or hear the writing of nationally-known writers
• Marshall Festival: opportunities to see numerous readings, panels, and discussions with regional and nationally-known authors, as well as volunteer to work in various aspects behind-the-scenes
• Creating Spaces: students serve as the first-tier judges for an annual creative writing contest for 3rd to 12th grade students in the 18-county region

Clubs & Organizations

• The Spur (SMSU student newspaper)
• Perceptions Literary and Arts Journal
• The English Club
• Forensics
• Education Minnesota Student Program (EMSP)

Visit Catalog

• Bachelor of Arts: English with LIT emphasis

• Graduate school for those interested in teaching at the college level
  • Preparation for law school
  • Librarians

• National and International Business Executives
• Public Relations
• Prep for medical school

Contact Information

English Program - Office

BA 221, Southwest Minnesota State University
1501 State St.
Marshall, MN 56258

• Telephone: 507-537-7155
• Fax: 507-537-6815
• Email: epshdept@smsu.edu