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The study of literature, language, and writing elevates our minds, enlarges our capacity to understand and communicate, and integrates liberal learning.
Good readers make good writers, creative thinkers, and responsible citizens. Students in the English Department participate in incisive, well-researched, and thoughtful study of literature as well as reflective, innovative, and skillful writing development. Our courses are characterized by frequent discussion, prioritize originality, and emphasize student-centered workshops.
The study of literature and the practice of creative writing elevates our minds, enlarges our capacity to understand and communicate, and integrates liberal learning. Our curriculum includes courses in Identity & Difference, Place & Power, Literary Traditions & Aesthetics, and Creative Writing. In creative writing courses, students are encouraged to be aware of and articulate about their approaches to their craft, to realize their potential as critical and creative writers, and to discover the power of revision to deepen their thinking and move their works toward excellence. Because good readers make good writers, the English Literature-Creative Writing major includes a strong foundation in literature.
Our creative writing curriculum has introductory courses, advanced workshops, and independent studies in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and, in conjunction with the Departments of Theatre and Dance, dramatic writing and screenwriting. Creative writing courses combine the writing and revising of original works with critical reading of published texts. All courses conduct frequent workshops in which students learn to productively critique writing—their own and others. Many creative writing courses culminate in a public reading in which students perform the best of their writing for the campus community. You'll learn to:
The Center for Writing and Speaking (CWS) is a peer tutoring organization devoted to improving and enhancing students’ writing and speaking skills. Staffed by trained peer tutors, the CWS provides students of all ability levels with individual assistance in writing papers and in preparing and practicing speeches and presentations.
Thanks to generous donors, the English department is able to bestow several awards and scholarships yearly for excellence in both academic writing and creative writing. The department also offers a variety of on and off campus internship opportunities through the Center for Writing and Speaking, the Writers' Festival, the Decatur Book Festival, and more!
Between the annual Writers' Festival, the Kirk Writers-in-Residence, and the Writers & Scholars Series, the English department brings multiple noted creative writers and literary scholars to come to campus to give readings and lectures for the campus community and to work closely with Agnes Scott students. In addition to bringing in a wide range of national and international guests, the department also showcases the best of Atlanta's brilliant literary and scholarly communities.
Thinking critically and creatively, being able to read carefully and write thoughtfully, and having the necessary skills to analyze, communicate, and express ideas effectively will translate to any field.
There’s a variety of career possibilities with a degree in English Literature-Creative Writing. You may work start work on your first novel, or explore a diverse range of professional areas, including administration, production, editorial, marketing, content creation, social media management, communications or public relations. Many majors enter the work force immediately, while others continue their academic work by going to graduate school. You might even consider continuing your coursework at Agnes Scott through the Agnes Accelerated 4+1 Program.
