English

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Student writing

The English Department serves the students, campus, and community through the study of literature, writing, language, and theory. The Department prepares students for graduate programs and for careers in fields such as teaching, journalism, advertising, public relations, law, business, library science, professional writing, and editing for publications.

We hope to provide students with a broad knowledge of the history and development of literature in English, as well as to develop their reading, writing, speaking, critical and analytical skills to prepare them for graduate studies and careers. We also hope to instill in students an appreciation for literature as a means of understanding human experience.

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Explore English at AQ

See the academic catalog for more specific information on degrees and courses

Majors

Minors

English Literature

English Writing

English Literature

English Writing

Journalism

Browse the course catalog for English

English Department Course Rotations

English course offerings are arranged in a six-semester "perpetual calendar" sequence. Many 100 and 200-level courses are offered every semester. Most 300 and 400-level courses are offered once every third semester.

Formats:
Every effort is made to offer courses in both day, evening and directed study formats, but students who wish to complete an English major by taking only non-daytime courses will inevitably take longer to complete their program than students who take courses in multiple formats.

Course Projections:
Click on the desired term indicated below to find out which courses are likely to be offered in that term. These projections are for planning purposes only. Actual course offerings in a given semester may vary slightly from these projections. For confirmation of these projections, contact the chairperson of the English department. Summer courses are not included in these projections.

Student Learning Outcomes

Successful majors in the English Department will complete their education:

with a broad and a detailed knowledge of the British, American, and World literary traditions;
with a facility with language that will enable them to express themselves effectively in persuasive, creative, and analytical modes of writing and speaking;
with an ability in critical and analytical thinking that will transfer to competency in a variety of professional careers;
with an ability to articulate an appreciation of literature as an art form, and its value for promoting personal growth, professional expertise, and social justice
with a commitment to lifelong literary appreciation dedicated to the pursuit of truth and the common good.

Mission Statement
Mission: The English Department serves students, the campus, and the community through the study of literature, writing, language, and theory. The Department prepares students for graduate programs and for careers in fields such as teaching, journalism, advertising, public relations, law, business, library science, professional writing, and editing for publications.

Name	Title	Department	Phone
Mary Bauer	Adjunct Assistant Professor	English
Daniel Brooks	Professor	English	(616) 632-2068
Rebecca Coogan	Associate Professor	English	(616) 632-2833
Jennifer Dawson	Associate Professor	English	(616) 632-2828
Michelle De Rose	Professor	English	(616) 632-2826
Holli Gipson	Adjunct Lecturer	English
Dan Mancilla	Assistant Professor	English	(616) 632-2832
Gretchen Rumohr	Professor	English	(616) 632-2872
Mary Schafer	Adjunct Assistant Professor	English

Career Preparation based on leadership

Contemporary Writers Series

Each year, the Contemporary Writers Series brings celebrated writers conduct workshops on campus, including Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney; author of The English Patient Michael Ondaatje; recipient of the National Book Award Jaimy Gordon; and popular performance poet Sarah Kay.

a Reflection on a window of students gathered at a table talking

Alpha Chi Iota

ACI serves as Aquinas College’s Chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta national English honors society and seeks to uphold its mission to “confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature,” to “foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language and writing,” to “exhibit high stands of academic excellence,” and to “serve society by fostering literacy.”

The Saint

Students love Aquinas for its small classes, personal attention, access to faculty, and hands-on experiences.

The Sampler

You can learn through volunteer activities and field trips to medical and research facilities.

Student Research

Check out the current and past research that Aquinas students do with faculty to further the world's knowledge.Read More about Student Research

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Common Career Paths

Creative Writing
- Fiction and nonfiction
- Poetry, plays, screenplays, and scripts
- Commercial writing (e.g. greeting cards, jingles)

Journalism:
- Writing/Reporting
- Podcast script writing
- Editing
- Critique

Professional writing
- Copywriting and editing
- Blogging
- Speech writing
- Column writing
- Social media writing and management

Source: What Can I Do With This Major?

Occupational Employment and Wages - May 2022

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Writers and Authors:

Employment	Mean hourly wage	Mean annual wage
54,010	$44.02	$91,560

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile	10%	25%	50%	75%	90%
Hourly Wage	$19.04	$24.51	$35.17	$50.48	$77.53
Annual Wage	$39,610	$50,980	$73,150	$105,000	$161,260

For more information see: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Graduate School

We have collected resources to help you create an effective graduate school application.

Graduate with a cap decorated with stars that reads All Thanks to the Stars Who Taught Me How To Shine

Alumni Profiles

AQ grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.