The English and Writing Studies major is purposefully integrated, offering students an opportunity to develop their critical and ethical thinking skills in a variety of contexts: through study of English language literature in its historical, social, intellectual, and aesthetic contexts; including literature by women and writers from diverse cultures; and through writing in and about professional contexts. Students start with an introductory “Reading and Writing for English Studies” course that grounds their critical and ethical thinking and communication in English Studies, health leadership, and beyond. In their junior year, students take a professional development course, also offered through the Health Humanities program, and finish the major by completing an in-depth capstone project experience tailored to their interests in literature and writing. This integration of literature and writing will give students a solid foundation to teach English at the secondary level, continue to graduate level work, or enter industry as critically thinking professionals and leaders in a variety of health-related fields. The major is designed to complement other programs of study at Salem College and encourages interdisciplinarity.

We offer two minors: in English and in Writing Studies.

The minor in English offers a concentrated study of literary texts written by diverse authors ranging from Shakespeare to American novelists, playwrights and poets representing a variety of ethnic experiences. We extend literary study to visual storytelling found in manga and anime and explore non-western and western traditions in dialogue. Particular attention is paid to writers of lived-experience-as-women and intersectional perspective on gender, race, class, sexuality, age and ability.