The English Department
The English Department encourages exploration of a wide range of literary, theoretical, and cultural texts, fosters a passion for the intriguing process of interpretation, and develops skills in effective writing and critical thinking.
Studies in the English major embrace both the traditional canon of English and American literature and literatures written in English from around the globe. Equally important, the department offers cutting-edge classes in cultural studies and literary theory, film, English language, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. The department also offers a variety of writing courses: traditional composition courses designed to aid students’ mastery of exposition, analysis, and argumentation; business writing and journalism classes that give students an edge in professional environments; fiction and poetry workshops that help hone students’ creativity; coursework in a newly emerging genre, creative nonfiction; and our newest addition: screenwriting for film and television. Furman’s English faculty has been drawn from some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, and includes award-winning poets and creative writers as well as scholars whose essays appear in top academic journals and whose books are published by leading academic and proprietary presses.
Teaching, however, remains the faculty’s strongest professional commitment, and individual faculty members’ one-on-one work with students to improve their writing and analytical skills is unparalleled in the University.