Where Creativity Meets Critical Thinking
Major: Creative Writing | Literature
Minors: Literature | Writing
“Books are a form of political action. Books are knowledge. Books are reflection. Books change your mind.”
Whether you focus on literature or creative writing, you learn the power of language and communication to shape your world. The Lycoming College English department is a tight-knit community where you will combine your passion for writing and reading with your natural curiosity about the world around you. Small class sizes lead to casual group discussions on literary themes, in-depth analysis of cultural contexts, and collaborative writing workshops. With classes on topics like southern Gothic literature, contemporary science fiction and fantasy, global literature, and digital media studies, you can explore unique interests while also studying the classics.
We teach the practical communication, research, and critical thinking skills the twenty-first century job market demands. You will leave with the skills necessary to pursue graduate work in programs like composition and rhetoric or library sciences, or to enter the workforce in growing fields like technical writing and digital marketing.
An English major or minor can be a valuable addition to almost any other major. A second major or a minor in English is a way to make you stand out in the crowd of science and business graduates. Many professional fields are hungry for applicants with the critical analytical and communication skills an English major or minor can provide. Or, you can combine your English major with an education certification and leave prepared for a rewarding teaching career. Whatever you choose, our faculty and our dedicated career advising team will be there for you every step of the way.
Student Opportunities
- Attend readings, classes, and workshops with world-class authors through our endowed Himes/Sweeney Visiting Artist Series.
- Contribute and help publish The Tributary, our school’s student-run literary journal or be selected to work alongside faculty on the national journal, Brilliant Corners.
- Write for the school newspaper, The Lycourier.
- Gain teaching/editing experience as a tutor in Tutoring Services.
- Co-organize our student-led humanities regional conference where you will be a part of selecting topics and meeting guest speakers, as well as presenting your own research.
- Publish your research in the Mid-Atlantic Humanities Review and join the staff of this student-edited research journal featuring the works of fellow Lycoming students and students from other institutions.
- Join an international community of literature scholars by being inducted into Sigma Tau Delta (the English honors society).
- Find local and national internships in publishing, editing, law, library science, marketing, and more through the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences (CEAE).
Why Lycoming?
- Our carefully crafted curriculum helps students develop creative and critical reading, writing, and thinking skills that prepare them for a multitude of jobs and careers.
- Classes are taught by a small group of professionals with the highest degrees in their field and a combined total of more than 100 publications.
- Courses emphasize reading and explore a wide variety of genres, from classic American and British literature to science fiction and fantasy.
- Our degree programs make it easy for students to enhance their career outlook by also pursuing a primary or secondary education certification or by adding another major/minor in complementary programs such as medieval studies, gender and sexuality studies, and American studies.
- Get to know the faculty and each other! Small class sizes guarantee individualized learning, cooperative experiences, and fieldwork such as assistantships, study abroad, internships, and publication.
Why Lycoming is the Right Choice →