Department of English

Department of English
West Virginia State University
226 Hill Hall
Institute, WV 25112-1000
Phone: (304) 766-3127

Welcome to the Department of English

The purpose of instruction in the Department of English is to develop graduates who are proficient in analytical thinking, in critical reading of literary and nonfictional texts, and in a variety of writing modes. All graduates should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of features of language, interpretive approaches to literature in English from several periods, and the process of composing.

Courses offered by the department prepare students for reading and writing throughout the college curriculum, for communication in business and professions, for the advanced study and teaching of English, and for careers in professional writing, publishing, and related fields.

The Bachelor of Arts in English has a common core of courses in language, writing, literature, and critical theory. Students may choose to pursue the more traditional
Literature Option, which prepares them for graduate study and professional school, or the Professional Writing Option, which prepares students for a variety of careers
as writers.

To strengthen the program and enable students to measure their own progress, student learning is assessed through portfolios of work from several stages of student development, interviews and surveys. Material collected from these sources is used to measure student progress, advise students more effectively, and determine whether the curriculum allows students to achieve the competencies listed above and to meet their own objectives.

For specific requirements for a teaching field in English, see the catalog sections for the Bachelor of Science in Education.

What can I do with a English Major and Minor?

What courses must I take for the two degree options:Literature and Professional Writing concentrations?

The English Department sponsores Events and Activities such as the English Majors Luncheon held each semester and the Kanawha Review,  a student literary magazine published annually.