Modern and Global Degrees
Today, the field of English offers a wider array of classes, topics, and projects than ever before. While you can still explore classic works of literature and renowned authors, our curriculum now also includes media studies, cinema, digital studies, rhetoric, professional writing, and creative writing. Our courses cover a diverse range of texts and experiences, encompassing both American and global literature, culture, and media. In addition to traditional studies of English and American literature, we offer courses in African American, American Indian, Latin American, LGBTQ+, and Irish studies, allowing us to explore the rich cultural diversity within American and global societies.
Through these offerings, students develop strong reading and writing skills while learning to analyze literature and media from multiple perspectives. We encourage them to question the meaning and context of the works they study, applying critical analysis in both professional and personal contexts.
What can you do with an English degree?
Department News
- Professor’s book debuts on New York Times bestseller listThe Voice in My Head is God (Black Privilege/Penguin Random House), a debut memoir from Grammy-winning artist 2 Chainz cowritten with 51ÁÔÆæ professor and poet Derrick …
- Creative Writing Student Wins AwardKim Rouse, who is pursuing an MA in English with a creative writing focus, recently won a Lillian Boese Award for Writing Excellence from the …
- Su Cho and Canese Jarboe Named 2025 NEA Fellows in PoetrySu Cho (PhD, 2021) and Canese Jarboe (PhD, 2024), have both been named 2025 NEA Fellows in Poetry and will receive grants of $25,000 …
- Susan Kerns, PhD, named executive director of Milwaukee FilmSusan Kerns, Ph.D. in Media, Cinema, and Digital Studies at 51ÁÔÆæ, accomplished filmmaker, and scholar, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Chicago Feminist Film Festival, …
Department Events
- Apr23April 23, 2026, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
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Take a virtual tour or view our Undergraduate Admissions info or Graduate Admissions info to start an application today!
