We scoured the internet for our favorite English major programs and made efforts to only include programs that focus on English, and not writing. These kinds of programs are often blended together, but not everyone who plans to study English wants to be a writer. Enter this list. As per usual, we do not create our lists based on rankings and look for unique programs with special opportunities.
Here you go:
Harvard:
It should come as a shock to no one that Harvard’s English program is top-notch. The department stands out because you’ll analyze everything from ancient texts to modern political speeches. At Harvard, you can read comedy writing, lyrical writing, non-fiction, fiction, and more. Click on this link to learn more about three distinctive paths: the honors program, the elective program, and the joint program. The breadth of the curriculum is impressive, and pretty much anyone can find something inspiring. There are numerous prizes and fellowships to apply to, and while we don’t suggest choosing a college to attend based on what alumni do post-graduation, the department website is brimming information on what Harvard grads are up to today.
Williams:
After declaring an English major at Williams, students are required to create a comprehensive plan for how they’d like to complete the major. These plans, created with the help of your advisor, aim to introduce students to a wide range of culturally diverse genres and historical periods. And if you look through the course catalogue, you’ll see how easily this goal can be achieved. With classes like “Poetry and Politics,” “All About Sonnets,” and “Living a Feminist Life” (to name a few) it shouldn’t be too difficult to dive into an array of topics and mediums.
Stanford:
For those who are looking to dip their toe into what an English major has to offer, Stanford has a lot to offer. Unlike traditional English 101, Stanford’s exploratory courses are a bit more specific. For example, you can take introduction courses in the areas of “From Milton to the Romantics,” “What is Literary History?” and “Mapping Monsters in British Literature.” Should you stick with it, the program aims to graduate students who are not just readers, but writers (if you so choose) and critics of the written word.
Columbia:
Columbia offers an English and Comparative Literature program and like many other schools on this list, there’s an emphasis placed on critical reading skills. But Columbia’s English department stands out because of the curriculum. There are countless classes in all of the following areas: Medieval, Renaissance, 18th and 19th century, 20th and 21st century, and special topics. These special topics have some of the most interesting courses available: they offer classes on how writers think and literature and international law. And while you don’t need to want to be a writer to study English, it is worth noting that should you change your mind, there’s no better place than New York City to venture into the world of journalism.
Vassar:
We have said this before and we’ll say it again: we love Vassar. The English program caught our eye because of the sequences: American Literary History, British Literary History, Creative Writing, Literary Forms, Poetry and Poetics, Race and Ethnicity; and Theory, Criticism, and Transnational Studies. Vassar’s English department prides itself on its diverse staff, which is important. A lot of English major programs are in desperate need of updating, but Vassar has been championing diversity on their staff for quite some time.
University of Chicago:
Most English majors fully expect to study novels and thick texts, but at University of Chicago, you’ll also dive into paintings, film, video games, and comics. Comics! The quirky nature of the student body is mirrored in the curriculum and if you want to dive into mediums that are traditionally overlooked, this school is worth considering.
UC Berkeley:
Berkeley’s distribution requirements are divided into the following categories: foundational courses, Shakespeare, Pre- 1800, and a seminar course. You’ll learn about various historical periods, genres, literary methods and terms, and focus on research skills. And in addition to the curriculum, Berkeley hosts a lot of events and is also home to the Berkeley Connect in English program. It’s a way for students to meet classmates and mentors. If you want to cozy up with some like-minded peers and discuss Hamlet for hours on end, check out this program.
Amherst:
The Steering Committee at Amherst is a group of students who are responsible for advising the department about the curriculum and representing the needs of English majors to the faculty. This is important because you’ll be able to voice your concerns, or positive feedback, freely and can potentially influence the program so that it’s better suited to your needs. While most of the prizes and fellowships are geared towards writers, the curriculum itself has plenty to offer to students who want to read, read, and then read some more.
The reality is that English is a major that is offered almost everywhere, and this list is not exhaustive! We encourage you to start with this list, identify what you like and don’t like, and do your own research. Best of luck!
Drop us a line if you’re having a hard time figuring out what you’re looking for in a college experience.