Mission Statement
The Gannon University English Department prepares students to be informed readers and skillful writers. Committed to students’ personal and professional growth, the English Department exposes students to literary texts from a variety of cultural backgrounds and develops their writing skills in a variety of academic and community settings.
Vision Statement
Helping students to explore the writing of the past, to use writing to engage with the present, and to create a better future through the written word.
Programs
The department offers two majors:
English
The Department offers three curricular tracks of its English major to help students tailor the major to fit their interests and professional goals.
Secondary Education in English Track (program) for students interested in teaching English at the high school level
Legal Career Track (program, Legal Career Track) for students preparing to attend law school or wanting to pursue another law-related career (e.g., paralegal)
Literary Studies Track (program, Literary Studies Track) for students preparing for graduate school in English literature or a related discipline or seeking careers demanding strong liberal arts preparation
All tracks cultivate the student’s ability to write in a variety of genres for different audiences and purposes.
Writing
The English Department also offers a separate Writing Major (program), a highly flexible program of study which prepares students to work as writing professionals in business and non-profit settings or as creative writers. Major core requirements in the English Department will focus primarily on writing, while program electives may be completed with courses from several departments, including English, Communications, Legal Studies, Marketing, Education, Information Systems or Criminal Justice.
Other Offerings
The Department also offers students a variety of internships, a 3+3 program in legal studies with Duquesne University and features student-run publications, including Totem (an award-winning literary magazine). Whether they seek careers in education, publishing, journalism, media, public relations, government, business, industry or law, Gannon English and Writing Majors acquire the scholarly focus, broad preparation and intellectual awareness that form the basis of an intensive liberal arts education. Students in all tracks are required to complete an internship as part of their academic program.
ENGL 101 is normally the prerequisite for upper-level literature and writing courses.