The English Literature program at Wheeling Jesuit University offers students a broad study of works from British, American, and World authors. Students participate in a wide array of classes and study the diversity of literature through drama, poetry, fiction, and film. In such a program, the faculty's first interest is in developing students' critical thinking skills through the use of intersesting and thought-provoking interpretive writing.

As a noted university professor once said about literature majors in general, they are students thirsty to enter a discipline which frees them from "the tyranny of unreadable text books, meaningless graphs, huge lecture halls, and multiple choice exams. They seek a little light, a little wit, a little passion." Through their reading and writing, students in the literature program find that clarity of thought cannot be divorced from clarity of expression, and they come to see that the ability to use language well is the hallmark of any inquisitive, educated, and successful professional. Equally important, students gain a deeper appreciation that literature itself both shares and defines the essence of our varied cultures, revealing who we are as human beings through the imaginative record of our failures, aspirations, and triumphs as people.

Valuable Skills

Students and parents sometimes wonder what practical benefits undergraduates gain through studying literature. Beyond the delight that our majors have in reading great literature, they gain more than factual knowledge. The discipline of literature requires that students develop critical thought processes, the ability to analyze and reason carefully, the ability to organize and present materials coherently both in written and oral forms, and the ability to understand other people--all practical skills that allow for greater career flexibility.

Because successful professionals must be able to communicate their abstract ideas to others, Wheeling Jesuit's literature majors--who have been learning just such things through required readings and presentations--find themselves well-prepared for the world of work. In addition, because they can understand, organize, and direct others in a humane way, literature majors are increasingly valued as executives and managers in the corporate world.

Career Plans

Wheeling Jesuit University literature graduates are typically accepted into graduate programs or receive offers in career areas of their choosing. In addition to the strong skill-based background they achieve, students also benefit in their career search from the respected reputation of excellence in education in the Jesuit tradition.

With the communication and interpersonal skills they develop, Wheeling Jesuit literature graduates find that a career in almost any field is possible. Contrary to general opinion, only a small percentage of recent literature graduates have chosen to teach, but education does remain a viable career choice. Other recent graduates have begun careers in such diverse fields as business, law, mass media, college administration, government service, and sales. This list grows from year to year as employers recognize the need for more than basic literacy in their employees.

Those who chose to continue their education have done so in graduate English programs, MBA programs, and law school. Clearly, the variety of opportunities presented to the imaginative Wheeling Jesuit literature graduate appears nearly limitless.

What We Offer

The Wheeling Jesuit University literature program builds upon the university's core-level coursework in composition, fiction, drama, and poetry of British, American, and World authors. In addition, required major courses such as Advanced Writing Techniques, Porfessional Speaking, and Poetry Workshop provide the basic skills that will form the foundation for students' advanced coursework.

These basic skills are broadened through literature electives, including Major Poets, Creative Writing, Shakespeare for Enjoyment, Women in Literature, Major Novelists, and Major Dramatists.