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English
At Bradley, studying English means exploring literature, ideas, and cultures while developing critical thinking, research, and professional writing skills that open doors to countless career paths. Through engaging discussions, hands-on writing experiences, and opportunities to publish or present at national conferences, you’ll learn to analyze complex issues, communicate effectively, and collaborate across cultures.
With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, you’ll receive personalized feedback and guidance to refine your skills. Whether you’re preparing for law school, graduate studies, or diving straight into fields like marketing, editing, user experience, or government, your English degree will set you apart.
Experiential Learning
At Bradley, hands-on learning is at the heart of the English program. Through a combination of coursework, research, internships, and real-world experiences, you’ll develop skills that set you apart in any career.
Engaging Coursework & Faculty Mentorship
- Explore literature from diverse cultures and time periods to develop critical thinking and empathy.
- Receive detailed, constructive feedback from faculty to refine your writing and research skills.
- Complete a senior project, where you research career opportunities, build a portfolio, and take concrete steps toward your future goals.
Internships & Professional Experience
- Gain real-world experience through ENG 492: Practicum in English, where you can apply your writing and analytical skills in professional settings.
- Participate in ENG 495: Independent Study, allowing you to dive deeper into your literary and writing interests with faculty support.
- Work with faculty on research projects and present your findings at regional and national conferences.
Study Abroad & Unique Opportunities
- Expand your horizons with ENG 302: Travel Writing, a study abroad course that blends cultural exploration with storytelling.
- Apply your skills in diverse fields like publishing, marketing, law, user experience, and public administration.
Program Details
Required Courses (36 hrs.)
- ENG 181: Introduction to English Studies (1 hr.)
- ENG 233: American Literature to 1865 (3 hrs.)
- ENG 235: American Literature 1865 to Present (3 hrs.)
- ENG 237: British Literature to 1800 (3 hrs.)
- ENG 239: British Literature 1800 to Present (3 hrs.)
- ENG 270: Introduction to Literary Criticism and Theory (3 hrs.)
- ENG 347: Shakespeare (3 hrs.)
- ENG 481: Senior Project (2 hrs.)
American Literature Elective (choose one) (3 hrs.)
- ENG 329: Studies African American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 330: Studies Native American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 332: Early American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 334: 19th-Century American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 336: 20th-Century American Literature (3 hrs.)
British Literature Elective (choose one) (3 hrs.)
- ENG 341: Medieval English Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 344: Renaissance English Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 358: 18th-Century British Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 361: British Romantic Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 363: British Victorian Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 364: 20th-Century British Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 365: Irish Literatures (3 hrs.)
Elective Courses (choose three) (9 hrs.)
- ENG 207: Introduction to Creative Writing (3 hrs.)
- ENG 300: Exposition (3 hrs.)
- ENG 301: Argumentative Writing (3 hrs.)
- ENG 304: Research Individual Disciplines (3 hrs.)
- ENG 305: Technical Writing (3 hrs.)
- ENG 306: Business Writing (3 hrs.)
- ENG 307: Intermediate Poetry Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 308: Intermediate Fiction Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 310: Readings for Creative Writers (3 hrs.)
- ENG 311: Introduction to Language (3 hrs.)
- ENG 312: Grammar for Teaching (3 hrs.)
- ENG 313: Grammar for Writing and Speaking (3 hrs.)
- ENG 320: Young Adult Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 329: Studies African American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 330: Studies Native American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 331: Studies in Women Writers (3 hrs.)
- ENG 332: Early American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 334: 19th-Century American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 336: 20th-Century American Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 341: Medieval English Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 344: Renaissance English Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 358: 18th-Century British Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 361: British Romantic Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 363: British Victorian Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 364: 20th-Century British Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 365: Irish Literatures (3 hrs.)
- ENG 368: Science Fiction and Fantasy (3 hrs.)
- ENG 370: Literary Criticism and Theory (3 hrs.)
- ENG 372: Poetry as Genre (3 hrs.)
- ENG 373: Fiction as Genre (3 hrs.)
- ENG 374: Drama as Genre (3 hrs.)
- ENG 378: Individual Authors (3 hrs.)
- ENG 380: Topics in Language and Literature (3 hrs.)
- ENG 381: Literatures of Asia (3 hrs.)
- ENG 385: Literatures of Europe (3 hrs.)
- ENG 403: Advanced Creative Nonfiction Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 407: Advanced Poetry Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 408: Advanced Fiction Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 409: Advanced Screenwriting Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 492: Practicum in English (1-3 hrs.)
- ENG 495: Independent Study (1-6 hrs.)
- ENG 503: Intensive Creative Nonfiction Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 506: Writing in the Professions (3 hrs.)
- ENG 507: Intensive Poetry Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 509: Intensive Screenwriting Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 510: Intensive Fiction Workshop (3 hrs.)
- ENG 550: Language Theory (3 hrs.)
- ENG 560: Writing Theory (3 hrs.)
- ENG 570: Contemporary Literature Criticism (3 hrs.)
- ENG 580: Methods Teaching Composition (3 hrs.)
Degree Concentrations
Take your career any way you want! Explore the different degree concentrations we offer to personalize your education.
The creative writing concentration prepares you to be a versatile writer in a variety of business or nonprofit careers. You’ll explore authors from the past to sharpen your analysis of the present and future.
Courses give you a foundation in fiction, poetry, nonfiction and screenwriting. This major is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
The literary studies concentration prepares you for graduate school and a career in an academic or professional setting. You’ll explore courses focused on analyzing texts’ culture and history.
Small class sizes foster intellectually challenging conversations with faculty mentors and classmates. This program is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
The professional writing concentration prepares you for a career in business, nonprofit, technical and related professions. Professional writing courses focus on business and technical communication, with opportunities to learn argumentative, grant and travel writing.
This program is structured to enable you to add another major or minor of your choice.
Career Opportunities
Diverse Career Paths
- Marketing (Marketing Directors)
- Human Resources
- Publishing & Editing
- Public Relations
- Grant Writing
- Copywriting, Technical Writing & Medical Writing
- Nonprofit Management
- Advertising
- Education (K-12 Public & Private Schools)
Notable Employers of Bradley English Graduates
- Caterpillar
- OSF Medical Center
- United Way
- Department of Homeland Security
- State Farm
- Illinois Mutual
- ConAgra
- McGraw Hill
- University of Kentucky Press
- Los Angeles Superior Court
- AmeriCorps
Minors
The creative writing minor, which is open to all students, shows how you can apply your imaginative spirit to writing. You read literature to learn about the creative process. Then, you can explore literary criticism, poetry, fiction, nonfiction or screenwriting.
Courses give you opportunities to practice what you’re learning. The minor is often paired with degrees in interactive media, engineering, marketing, communication and advertising.
The professional writing minor, which is open to all students, shows how you can apply your writing skills in many professional environments. You focus on business or technical writing, then you can explore other literary styles.
You also can learn and practice expository, argumentative, travel, grant and web writing. The minor is a valuable asset to majors such as business, communication, health science and marketing.
The literature minor, which is open to all students, introduces you to a variety of writing styles, authors and cultures.
Readings give you a foundation in American and British authors, while electives allow you to explore young adult authors, Native American authors, Asian authors and a variety of other ethnic and world literature.