The study of English literature—from the medieval period—to present day offers a unique perspective of history, art, and culture. An academic background in English will set you up to thrive in many diverse and meaningful career paths.
Program Overview
Develop your ability to think critically, write succinctly and research thoroughly.
English is a discipline for those willing to take risks with their interpretations and provide support with text and theory-based evidence. In small classes, you’ll be encouraged to participate in stimulating discussions analyzing literature, practicing critical and creative writing and honing your critical-thinking abilities. Through an inclusive and supportive faculty-student dynamic, you’ll learn how to formulate arguments that reflect independent and provocative ideas and theories. As a graduate of our English program, you’ll be well-prepared for careers in teaching, advertising, publishing, public relations and government.
The program also offers a variety of immersive educational opportunities. You can gain practical insight from professional literary artists through our Contemporary Writer Series and perform original poetry at open mic nights hosted by Wordhorde. You can also work as a Teaching Assistant helping other students in writing courses or as a consultant at the Writing Center.
Find your voice
English students blend literature, theory and creative writing to foster a community where all written expressions and interpretations are valued.
Courses
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
| Code | Title | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 205 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 | View |
| ENG 230 | Environmental Literature (GT-AH2) | 3 | View |
| ENG 232 | Borderlands: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality | 3 | View |
| ENG 237 | Women and Literature | 3 | View |
| ENG 238 | Literary Culture of the American West | 3 | View |
| ENG 250 | Critical Approaches to Literature | 3 | View |
| ENG 255 | Ancient World Literature (GT-AH2) | 3 | View |
| ENG 297 | Special topics | 1-6 | View |
| ENG 300 | Creative Writing: Fiction | 3 | View |
| ENG 301 | Creative Writing: Poetry | 3 | View |
| ENG 303 | Creative Writing | 3 | View |
| ENG 305 | Creative Writing: Non-Fiction | 3 | View |
| ENG 337 | Women Writers | 3 | View |
| ENG 358 | Global Literatures: Studies in: The Underworld | 3 | View |
| ENG 370 | Myth and Culture | 3 | View |
| ENG 371 | Literary Theory and Criticism | 3 | View |
| ENG 372 | British Literature: Medieval and Renaissance Texts | 3 | View |
| ENG 373 | British Literature: Milton through the Romantics | 3 | View |
| ENG 374 | British Literature: The Victorians to the Present Day | 3 | View |
| ENG 384 | American Literature Early to Civil War | 3 | View |
| ENG 385 | American Literature-Civil War to Present | 3 | View |
| ENG 397 | Special Topics | 1-6 | View |
| ENG 463 | Major British Authors: Cont. Lit. & Film | 3 | View |
| ENG 493 | Senior Seminar I: Studies in: Social Justice | 3 | View |
| ENG 494 | Senior Seminar: Studies in: Planning Ahead | 3 | View |
Careers
Career preparation starts your first year at Western and is the primary focus of every degree.
Visit Career Services in Library 120 or online to discover your interests, define your goals, and land the career of your dreams.
The data below is automatically collected by Burning Glass Technologies, a firm that sources job market data and provides analytics. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.
Scholarships
Eligibility
- English majors at Western Colorado University who have full junior or senior standing
- Have completed or are currently completing two full years as a student of a modern language other than English
Description
This scholarship is provided by Dr. John Cope, Sr., long-time employee of Chevron Corporation and father of John Q. Cope, Associate Professor emeritus of English at Western.
Award depends on funds available.
Selected By: Scholarship Selection Committee of the Department of Communication Arts, Languages & Literature.
Application:
Contact the CALL Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2025 | Taylor Hall 216
Eligibility
- Full-time student
- Must be a junior or a senior majoring in either Art or English
- Must have and maintain a 3.25 or above cumulative GPA
Description
This scholarship is provided by the family and friends to honor the memory of one of Western's most outstanding students and to perpetuate their name as a symbol to others of outstanding achievement. The award will alternate every year between an Art and English major.
Award depends on funds available.
Selected by: Scholarship Selection Committee of the Department of Art and Music or Scholarship Selection Committee of the Department of Communication Arts, Language and Literature.
Application:
Submit a letter of application and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member in the appropriate department to the chairperson of the appropriate department (follow links below).
Deadline is April 1st.
Eligibility
- Upper-division English majors
- Maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Must be dedicated to and have demonstrated exceptional ability in some genre of creating writing, including, but not necessarily limited to: fiction, literary non-fiction, poetry or playwriting.
Description
This scholarship is provided by the estate of Evelyn L. Haley.
Award depends on funds available.
Selected by: The English Department faculty in consultation with the Director of Financial Aid.
Application:
Contact the CALL Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2025 | Taylor Hall 216
Eligibility
- Full-time students majoring in English
- earned a 3.5 GPA in a minimum of 75 semester hours
- Students should also be able to demonstrate the highest standards of personal conduct, leadership within the division, academic achievement, and potential for service to mankind
Description
This scholarship is provided by an anonymous donor to perpetuate among contemporary young people the memory of Valerie Ann Mitchell, who was an outstanding example of performance in scholarship and citizenship.
Award depends on funds available.
Selected by: Scholarship Selection committee, Department of Communication Arts, Languages and Literature.
Application:
Contact the CALL Department for application and deadline information.
970.943.2025 | Taylor Hall 216
Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western. Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming freshman or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
- GPA must be 2.0 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found here (click). Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Description
The Western Presidential Honors Scholarships, established by the Jack and Marilyn MacAllister Foundation shall be an elite class of scholarships awarded to Western's highest achieving and most deserving students, celebrating the ideals of academic excellence and service to the campus and community. Recipients of the Scholarships will be members of the Western Colorado University Honors Program.
There are eight Presidential Honors Scholarships of $2500 each. Each year two new Presidential Honors Scholarships will be awarded to two incoming freshmen.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student's GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
News & Research
Get Inolved
Make your education a life changing experience.
A college education is so much more than just taking classes. Expand your community and network, while gaining hands-on experience in your field.
- Contemporary Writer Series: Emerging and established literary artists visit campus and community venues.
- Playwriting: Script plays for the Theatre program.
- Sigma Tau Delta: Join the international English honor society.
- Teaching Assistantships: Students help fellow students in challenging writing courses.
- Wordhorde: This group hosts slam poetry and fiction at open mic nights.
- Writing Center: Work as a writing consultant for the greater campus community.
Writing workshops
Professor Brenna Womer conducts a journalism workshop for Western students in the Writing Center.
Additional Resources
Department Information
Communication, Arts, Language & Literature (CALL) Department
Department Chairperson
Jack Lucido, MFAProfessor of Communication Arts, Director of Film Studies, Chair of CALL Department
Administrative Assistant
Cindy PetitoAdministrative Assistant II
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 216
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231