Earn your English degree at John Cabot University! Thanks to JCU's characteristic international nature, you will learn all there is to know about creative writing, translation, and English literature with the Eternal City as your backdrop.
The study of literature written in the English language has long proved its worth as a traditional discipline that exercises the imagination, encourages intellectual precision, and stimulates a critical appreciation of human, liberal values. Students trained in this discipline have found it provides an appropriate background for careers in a variety of fields including law, government, diplomacy, journalism, publishing, education, and business.
There are clear advantages in pursuing an English major at an institution that belongs, like John Cabot University, to the English-speaking academic tradition, and this may be especially true for students whose first language is not English. There is also particular value, however, in studying English literature at an international university such as John Cabot where each English course inevitably becomes internationalized, as it is related to the Italian context and to the other national backgrounds of the students. Courses in Comparative Literature and Creative Writing are also a part of the English Literature program at John Cabot.
The program offers a choice between a Major in English literature and a Major in English literature with a Creative Writing concentration. Both options emphasize the historical and cultural understanding of the development of literature in English from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 21st century and require courses in theory and genre. Students of literature learn to read, think, and write critically, to make interdisciplinary connections, and to develop aesthetic appreciation. The training in the skills of research and writing culminates in the senior year thesis.
As our outstanding alumni attest, students graduating from John Cabot University with a B.A. in English Literature will have acquired knowledge and skills that will allow them to pursue many different career paths, such as: Publishing, Screenwriting, Journalism, Legal Studies, Human resources, International agencies.
Many JCU students decide to pursue graduate studies at prestigious universities such as The University of St Andrews, oxford Brookes University, Trinity College, Columbia University, The Graduate Center CUNY, and Sciences Po, Paris.
Students who complete a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature at John Cabot University have learned to think critically and comparatively and to express their ideas effectively in writing. They have an understanding of the historical development of literatures in English and their cultural contexts, the ability to compare the literary products of different periods and places, and the skills to form original interdisciplinary connections
Students with a B.A. in English Literature possess:
Students with a B.A. in English Literature are able to:
Please note that students entering the University as of Fall 2023 must follow the revised major requirements. Current English Literature majors (pre-Fall 2023) can choose between the former and the revised major, and are encouraged to discuss this with their advisors prior to submitting a Change of Major form.
The major emphasizes the historical and cultural understanding of the development of literature in English from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 21st century and requires courses in theory and genre. Students of literature learn to read, think, and write critically, to make interdisciplinary connections, and to develop aesthetic appreciation. The training in the skills of research and writing culminates in the senior year thesis. The program offers the option of a Creative Writing concentration.
A. The proficiency and General Distribution Requirements of the University
Note: Students who are declared English Literature majors are allowed to take one of the following literature courses at the same time as they are taking EN 110: EN 201, EN 230, EN 231 or EN 223.
B. Core Curriculum
The University requires an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all courses taken at the University, with no more than two grades lower than C- in core courses.
C. Major Electives (no concentration): 9 courses across the following four areas:
C. Major Electives (Creative Writing concentration): 9 courses across the following four areas:
Of the required 9 major elective courses, at least 6 must be at a 300 level.
Note: Students are allowed to take the same advanced (300-level) CW workshops more than once to fulfill the requirements of the concentration.
Please note that students pursuing the Creative Writing concentration cannot also pursue a minor in Creative Writing.
D. General Electives sufficient to give a total of 120 credits.
A. The Proficiency and General Distribution Requirements of the University.
B. Core Curriculum
The University requires an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all courses taken at the University with no more than two grades lower than C- in core courses.
C. Major Electives (6 courses) At least four 300-level English Literature courses. Two courses to be chosen from all English Literature courses at any level, Creative Writing courses at any level, or any of the courses in the list below:
D. General Electives sufficient to give a total of 120 credits.
As of Fall 2022, students who are declared English Literature majors are allowed to take the following literature courses at the same time as they are taking EN 110: EN 200, EN 230, EN 231 or EN 223. Advisors will be responsible for ensuring that these courses are recommended during advising sessions for the English Literature Majors.
We offer numerous merit-based Presidential Scholarships and need-based Assistance Grants.
Students taking courses in the English Department will find a renowned international faculty with advanced degrees from world-class institutions, including Oxford University, Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Jordan, and the Sapienza University of Rome, among others.
