Why Study English?

English as a field of study remains at the center of contemporary culture as we move through a new century. Though the written text has always led readers into explorations of the world beyond, literary studies of today - no longer bound by the printed page - include cinema and digital technologies for creative and critical expression, with an eye toward global citizenship.

English studies form the cornerstone of the liberal arts, challenging us to be imaginative and critical readers and thinkers, and to engage intellectually with all aspects of culture. Working to understand the thinking and writing of others enables us to gain control of our own thinking and writing. Along with the study of literature, creative writing is a vital component of this dynamic field of study.

A background in creative and critical thinking enables our alumni to lead and serve in such fields as teaching, writing (including poetry, journalism, fiction writing, screenwriting, high-technology communications, and public relations), publishing, the law, the ministry, the academy, information technology and political service.

Why Cornell?

Our faculty’s commitment to students, and our diverse areas of scholarly expertise enables a curriculum steeped in literary tradition while fully engaged with the contemporary world. We endeavor to teach our students to read, evaluate, and write clearly about “the prose of the world,” the myriad texts they will be confronted with both at Cornell College and in their future lives.

Whatever the course, Cornell College's One Course At A Time (OCAAT) schedule allows us to expand the possibilities for teaching and learning. For example,

• students in Katy Stavreva's Shakespeare after Shakespeare study performances from around the globe, then produce and perform a full-length play for the campus community.
• Leslie Kathleen Hankins's classes often include extensive discussion of films.
• Shannon Reed’s advanced writing course allows students to “workshop” graduate school writing samples, presentations, and other academic essays while developing as writers. 

These opportunities simply would not be available without the extended, focused time enabled by OCAAT.  As one student has said, it’s wonderful to be able to carry on a debate or discussion to its end, and not be interrupted by an arbitrary time frame.

OCAAT also allows us to move our classroom off-campus for a variety of rich learning opportunities, and gives our students the flexibility to earn course credit while engaging in valuable internship opportunities.