The English programs at West Liberty University prepare students for many pathways beyond graduation, especially those that benefit from a graduate’s ability to read, think, and write critically. Many majors prepare students for specific careers, but majoring in English opens countless doors for students who are especially interested in studying the ways in which language and literature shape the world around them. Along the way, English majors grow into the types of graduates employers are looking for and, perhaps more importantly, individuals with the skills needed to continue to grow as global citizens and lifelong learners.

The English Writing major is specifically designed for students who want to experience the traditional benefits of an English degree while taking more courses specifically designed to cultivate their skills as writers. While all English majors at WLU take the same core classes, including surveys in American and British literature, Writing majors focus much of their upper-level coursework around topics related to composition theory, grammar, creative writing, professional writing, linguistics, and logic. This major is ideal for any student interested in pursuing a career that necessitates strong writing skills, be it in publishing, journalism, academia, or a legal field. Ultimately, like all English majors, students majoring in Writing gain a deeper insight into the human experience while cultivating concrete skills related to research, analysis, and communication.

Writing Track Curriculum (beginning Fall 2020)

Required Courses
ENG 200: Lit Foundations for English Majors 
ENG 260: Intro to Creative Writing
ENG 275: Structure of English
ENG 277: Editing and Proofreading
ENG 315: Multicultural Studies in Literature 
ENG 374: Professional Writing 
ENG 385: Advanced Composition 
ENG 400: Composition Theory
ENG 495: Senior Seminar 
LING 315: Sociolinguistics
PHIL 210: Logic and Critical Thinking 

Choose 3 hours from the following:
ENG 360: Creative Writing—Poetry
ENG 361: Creative Writing—Fiction
ENG 362: Creative Writing—Nonfiction

Choose 9 hours from the following:
ENG 305 Renaissance and Early Seventeenth Century
ENG 309 Chaucer
ENG 311 Shakespeare
ENG 312 American Colonial and Revolutionary Literature 
ENG 314 American Romantic Literature 
ENG 316 American Realistic and Naturalistic Literature 
ENG 318 American Modern and Postmodern Literature 
ENG 330 Appalachian Literature
ENG 386 Restoration and 18th Century Literature
ENG 390 British Romantic Literature
ENG 391 Victorian Literature
ENG 392 Modern British Literature
ENG 490 World Literature I  
ENG 492 World Literature II 

Chose 3 hours from the following:
GBUS 220: Business Communications 
COMM 322: Writing for Radio and Television 
COMM 332: Feature Writing 
COMM 333: Editorial Writing 
COMM 359: Writing for the Web and Social Media 
CEP 443: Fundraising and Grant Writing

Choose 6 hours from the following:
Any ENG above 300

Choose 6 hours from the following:
Any FREN or SPAN

Choose 3 hours from the following:
Any PHIL except PHIL 210 or any REL

TOTAL HOURS: 60hrs 

The Department of English and Modern Languages also offers a minor in Writing and one in Creative Writing.