This major seeks to introduce students to the entire range of literatures written in English, from British and American to African, Asian, and Australasian literatures. The major emphasizes the differences among historical periods and various genres, and encourages exploration of a broad range of literary theories. It also offers students the opportunity to do significant work in Creative Writing. The Department of English comprises undergraduate and graduate programs in literature in English, the M.F.A. Program in Writing, Literary Journalism, and Composition. Among our faculty members are theorists and literary historians, scholars of rhetoric and experts in composition, journalists, writers of fiction, and poets. Students in the Department explore a variety of models for literary analysis. They write stories and poems. They produce journalism. In every case, our students think about writing: its history, its changing functions, and its place in today's culture. The major prepares students for a world in which informed analysis of language and forceful writing continue to be crucial.