The English program at Grove City College is dedicated to the study of the great works of English, American, and world literature. Our approach is to read the literature for its exploration of the universal questions regarding the nature of man and God, the nature of good and evil, the meaning of moral choice, the purpose of life and the meaning of salvation. We believe that the exploration of these questions will enable us to understand the significance of the great works of Western Culture, while at the same time ennobling the imagination and enriching the life of the individual student. We adhere to the tradition which maintains that God has revealed truth throughout all creation, including the creative mind of man. Our goal is to equip the student to discover God’s truth wherever it may be found, but especially in the great works of the literature of Western civilization.

We welcome into our program all those eager both to stir up in themselves the God-given gifts of intelligence and imagination, and to think after them the thoughts of the greatest writers of Western civilization. We also welcome those eager to share their discoveries with others through a career in teaching.

We feel an obligation to the literature and to the truth it expresses. We affirm the classical tradition in literary studies, especially as challenged and shaped by Christian thought from the Renaissance to the present. True to that tradition, we believe that literature engages us in psychagogia, the leading of the soul to virtue. We take seriously, but challenge vigorously, current trends in literary criticism that posit the relativism of truth and critical norms. We believe in absolute truth and believe that our study of literature should be a quest for the ongoing revelation of that truth in our lives. We are open to discovering this truth in new authors and works of literature, yet we believe that literary works that have stood the test of time have done so because they have best satisfied the two classical purposes of literature: to teach and to delight. They do so in ways that transcend the barriers of gender, race, nationality, class, and historical period. They are universal.

CURRICULA

English
The English major is for all students who love to read great literature and who love to discuss and write about what they read. It seeks to stimulate the greater life of the mind that will enrich the life of the students, and the critical thinking and clarity of expression that will help the student to advance in his or her chosen career.

The required courses include two semesters each of English and American literature, one semester of Shakespeare, four period literature courses, one genre literature course, one semester of Literary Criticism and Theory, and one semester of either Advanced or Creative Writing.

English, Leading to Teaching Certification (7-12) in English
The English major leading to certification in English is a carefully designed professional training program. Students pursuing this major are required to complete the following core courses: two semesters each of English and American literature, one semester of Shakespeare, one semester of world literature, one period literature course, one genre literature course, one semester of Grammar & History of English, one semester of Developmental Reading, two writing courses, one course in Educational Psychology, two communication courses, one computer course, and eight selected education courses.

English, Leading to Teaching Certification (7-12) in English and Communication
The English major leading to certification in English and Communication is a carefully designed professional training program. Students pursuing this major are required to complete the following core courses: two semesters each of English and American literature, one semester of Shakespeare, one semester of world literature, one period literature course, one genre literature course, one semester of Grammar & History of English, one semester of Developmental Reading, two writing courses, one course in Educational Psychology, five selected communication courses, one computer course, and eight selected education courses.