The University of Portland’s English program is rich and varied. Our talented faculty of literary scholars and writers offers a major in English, with courses in British, American, and trans-national literatures in English, and in academic and creative writing. We also present our students with an unusual and vivid range of extra-curricular programs.
English majors, and other interested students from across the University, see, hear, and meet noted poets, writers, and scholars through our Readings and Lectures series and the Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writers series. The Department's own Northwest Undergraduate Conference on Literature (NUCL) allows our students, along with those from many other universities in the region, to present their scholarly and creative work, serve as respondents to panel chairs, and/or work as interns behind the scenes. The Department also houses the University’s Integrated Writing Program, which trains student Writing Assistants and runs the Writing Resource Center. The Writers journal is an in-house publication edited by English majors and featuring students' creative writing, art, and photography. Finally, many of our students join the thriving English Society to discuss their own writing, attend plays together, and swap books. The English Department is a dynamo, always aglow with something bright and interesting.
And after a successful four years as an English major at UP? Our students develop finely honed skills in analytical reading, varied forms of writing, and web and library-based research. Their study of literary texts past and present equips them with a broad-based awareness of history, human character, and social and religious traditions. Being an English major prepares students for careers in many areas of business and not-for-profit enterprise, as well as the pursuit of graduate study in English and the humanities, creative writing, education and the law. And some English majors also become teachers, or, in the years just after graduation, participate in such challenging and rewarding volunteer programs as Jesuit Volunteers, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps.