English
Degree Options: Major, Minor
Locations: Lincoln Center, Rose Hill
Visit the English Department
Intellectual rigor meets creative expression in the English major at Fordham.
Chaucer’s squire struggled to find the words to describe the sublime beauty of a princess in a far-off land. But Chaucer didn’t. Writers capture on the page the complexity of human experience. Learn how literature has evolved—and tell your own tales—in the English major at Fordham.
You will delve into a comprehensive survey of English literature to critically interpret texts and understand the principles of effective writing. You’ll contribute to our literary journals and talk shop with leading literature scholars. And you’ll do it all in New York City—the publishing capital of the world.
Of course, you’ll learn more than English here. You’ll also study philosophy, theology, economics, mathematics, languages, science, and the performing arts through Fordham’s common core curriculum, the centerpiece of our liberal arts education.
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We offer an English major, a concentration in creative writing, a literature minor, and a creative writing minor.
You will learn the rules, structures, and historical context of the English language as they’ve evolved during more than 1,200 years—and, when necessary, how to break those rules in the service of creative expression.
English Connect is a department-specific microsite where you can find the latest info on events, publications, and workshops.
Our Writing Center tutors provide instruction, not correction. We help you develop the tools to become a better writer. We work with you on logical, rhetorical, and grammatical issues at any stage of an assignment.
Literary Journals
Publish in one of our department’s creative and scholarly journals—essential components of our vibrant intellectual environment that have international visibility.
- 19th-Century Music
- CURA: A Literary Magazine of Art and Action
- Joyce Studies Annual
- Studies in American Fiction
- Rhētorikós: Excellence in Student Writing
- Traditio: Studies in Ancient and Medieval Thought, History, and Religion
Initiatives
The love of the word binds us together. We have many literature-oriented initiatives launched by our scholars, readers, and writers:
- History of a Book Seminar
- Kundiman Asian American poetry retreat
- New York City Romanticism Group
- Poets Out Loud
- Reid Writers of Color Reading Series
We offer honors programs for ambitious wordsmiths in literature and creative writing.
Internships
As the publishing and media capital of the world, New York City offers many opportunities for internships. Recent internships have included:
- The Public Theater
- Marvel Publishing
- The Daily Beast
- The Colbert Report
- Rolling Stone
- Art+Auction
- Harper Collins
- The New York Times
- Waxman Literary Agency
Study Abroad
Study abroad enriches you academically, culturally, and personally. There is a whole globe of study abroad possibilities available through Fordham’s International and Study Abroad Program.
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Theories of Comparative Literature
Love in the Middle Ages
Captives/Cannibals/Rebels
The Rise of the Novel
Oscar Wilde
Modern Catholic Writers
Fiction Boot Camp
Poetry Writing: Architecture and the Sky
Writers’ Workshop: Experimental Writing for Non Experimental Writers -
Interested in graduate school? Our rigorous curriculum will prepare you for advanced study.
We prepare you for a wide range of careers in:
- Writing
- Publishing
- Media
- Teaching
Our career services tap Fordham’s ties with more than 2,600 companies. We offer:
- Post-graduation career search
- Resume development, Interviewing practice
- Networking skill development
- Hands-on case-study sessions with industry executives
- Field-specific advising/coaching
You also get access to our powerful (and Fordham-loyal) network of alumni, who want to see you succeed as they have.
Learn More About the English Degree