Ball State’s concentration in English studies offers diverse gateways into the study of language through courses in literature, linguistics, creative writing, and rhetoric/writing.
- You’ll develop advanced skills in writing, reading, interpreting, and understanding the cultural significance of a wide variety of texts.
- Literature courses help you to interpret complex texts and to empathize with other people and cultures.
- Linguistics offers an understanding of how languages function structurally and how they both shape and respond to the cultures around them.
- Rhetoric and writing courses help you write for various audiences.
- Creative writing helps you use language as a medium for imagination, insight, and artistry.
We’re asked this question all the time. Our answer: A lot. You will learn skills that transfer across hundreds of possible careers and industries—some of which may not even exist yet. Our graduates go on to work in marketing, publishing, non-profit fundraising, speechwriting, as well as in countless other fulfilling occupations.
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What It’s Like to Study English Studies
You’ll increase your powers of reading comprehension, analysis, interpretation, research, synthesis, and writing.
Many of the classes you’ll take ask you to read complex texts (classic and contemporary literary works, works on theories and methods in linguistics or rhetoric) and to write in ways that synthesize and build on their ideas. These skills, you will find, are essential in your other course work and in the professional world you enter when you graduate.
See "Major Requirements" below for some of the specific courses you'll take.
You’ll build knowledge in close collaboration with your classmates and faculty members who are innovative teachers and respected, published scholars. Your professors bring to the classroom the excitement and curiosity with which they conduct their own research and mentor students in the goals, methods, and practices of their fields.
Because this concentration draws upon all the subdisciplines in English, you might work with any member of our faculty.
Read profiles of our faculty.
You’ll turn your analytical and writing skills toward the kind of activities you’ll pursue in the workplace after graduation.
Just a couple of the ways we do this include:
You’ll gain a broad grounding in the multiple sub-disciplines of English:
- Literature
- Rhetoric and Writing
- Creative Writing
- Linguistics
You will also pursue nine credits of electives, which will give you the chance to pursue your own interests.
Promoting Change
English faculty and students are express their dedication to social and educational justice in many different ways—and you can help. You can work on a young-adult literature magazine that addresses diversity—or the lack thereof. You can learn to teach English to speakers of other languages. You can mentor young writers.
Creative Writing in the Community
Through this immersive learning course, English 409 students serve their community by teaching creative writing techniques and to write a text collaboratively.
English Language Learning
Dr. Lynne Stallings brings her students into the Muncie community and the Muncie school system to teach English Language Learners.
Indiana Writers Center
English students have the opportunity for a paid internship every summer in downtown Indianapolis with the Indiana Writers Center (IWC) to educate and inspire youth ages 6-16.
Rethinking Children's and YA Lit
In this free, digital, interactive literary magazine, teacher education, English, and journalism students invite readers to engage with children’s and young adult literature as a way to raise social consciousness and awareness.
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Major Requirements
This program is designed to provide a foundation in the full range of subjects within English studies: literature, rhetoric and writing, linguistics, and creative writing. It is for those of you seeking a varied set of critical and analytical skills and with diverse interests in reading and writing.
You must complete the University
Core Curriculum and 37 credits of coursework in English studies.
Four semesters (or the equivalent) of a modern or classical language at the college level are required.
Total Credits
120
Courses
A few of the classes you will take include:
- English 231 Introduction to Professional Writing
- English 230 Reading and Writing about Literature
- English 285 Introduction to Creative Writing
- English 220 Language and Society
- English 444 Senior Seminar
A current list of course offerings and descriptions can be found on our blog.
Course topics may vary per semester.
For a complete list of requirements and course descriptions, consult our Course Catalog.
View Catalog
Paying for Your Education
In addition to the dozens of scholarships the university offers its students, our department gives awards to acknowledge the excellence and achievements of our own majors and minors. Learn more.
Application Process and Requirements
Are you interested in pursuing this major? The first step is to review Ball State’s admissions criteria and apply as an undergraduate student.
Want to Learn More?
One of the best ways to understand why Ball State stands out is to come see it for yourself. You can schedule a visit through our Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Make sure to tell them you’re interested in our program. Or if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.