• Are you interested in declaring an English Major?
    Please contact Professor Jorge Santos for more information. Contact Now

English

English: Major 

The study of English attends to literary works of the imagination — poems, plays, novels, short stories, and non-fiction — and to the use of language as a means of communication. Through a wide exposure to a range of texts, students are challenged to explore the meaning of literature in a variety of contexts, and by that exploration, develop a deeper understanding of today’s world.

The English department offers students the opportunity to develop an appreciation of literature, literary techniques and language, and a command of written expression. Courses in the department help students to become better readers, writers, and speakers, preparing them for professional fields that value effective communication, as well as for graduate study in English, rhetoric, law, medicine, business, and education. Faculty include active scholars in a wide range of literary and rhetorical fields, as well as creative writers working in all major genres, supporting the breadth and depth of the major. Learning inside the classroom, and the vibrant daily life of the department outside the classroom, are defined by close relationships between faculty and students.

Program Highlights

Each semester the department offers approximately 25 upper-division courses for majors, as well as numerous offerings for non-majors at the introductory and intermediate levels. These include:

Sstudent writing
National Acclaim

USA Today named Holy Cross the ninth “best U.S. college for a major in English.”

Students in an office
Opportunities

High achieving students can join honors societies and work with professors on scholarly and creative projects.

Students in the library
Creative Writing Program

The Creative Writing Program offers students the opportunity to pursue fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

English News

Hadley Maclean '23
Blog: Maclean ’23 Excited to Take Advantage of Everything Holy Cross Offers
Name: Hadley Maclean ’23 Hometown: Lake Orion, Michigan Interested in studying: Computer science, English and film studies Activities: Ultimate Frisbee, Creative Writing club, Purple Key Society Why did you choose Holy Cross? “I chose Holy Cross because of the awesome community. I’ve never seen a more …
People sit on a panel on a stage in front of a crowd
Holy Cross Hosts Prestigious Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers Conference
The 24th Annual Conference of the Association of Literary Scholars, Critics, and Writers (ALSCW) was held at the College of the Holy Cross from October 3-6, 2019. Hosted by Lee Oser, professor of English, the three-day event featured 17 seminars; …
two students study in their room
Home Sweet Campus: A Peek Inside Residence Life at Holy Cross
Ninety percent of Holy Cross students live in one of 11 residence halls on campus — but how do they make those spaces feel like home? The answer is both literal and emotional. The Holy Cross housing experience starts as …