Why study English?

In a world resounding to the continuous drumbeat of “STEM, STEM, STEM,” to study English is to strike out on one's own.

We are a community of students and faculty dedicated to the skillful reading and writing of texts in a variety of genres, both creative and expository. Classes are small and our faculty members pride themselves on the excellence of their classroom instruction and the lasting relationships they make with their students. High-quality instruction, internship opportunities, and the opportunity to tailor the major to your intellectual and professional interests are only part of the story though.

Learn more about the value of a degree in English.

News

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Nov. 11, 2024

cRam Session: Medieval Literature and the Weird

3 questions, 2 minutes, 1 lesson with Adin Lears, whose course explores early stories to consider questions of fate, destiny and our place in the cosmic order.

Hope Ward’s work as a professional actor has inspired her research as a Ph.D. student at VCU. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Oct. 23, 2024

How I found my research: Hope Ward studies paths to more equitable actor training programs

Ward, a Ph.D. student, actor and director, finds inspiration in theater but also recognizes where it needs closer study and a commitment to marked improvement.

Moira Neve, a VCU graduate student in English, said their current research project has helped them develop a more complicated understanding of time and history. (Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Oct. 9, 2024

How I found my research: Moira Neve studies visions of a queer utopia as described in an early 20th-century journal

Neve said, 'I love the feeling of being in my own niche corner of this larger literary tradition, sifting through the archives only to arrive at new surprises every day.'

English Spotlight