Opportunities

Departmental Honors

Students who in their junior year earn a 3.5 or higher gpa overall and a 3.7 or higher gpa in the major are eligible to apply for English Honors status. This program provides exceptional students with the opportunity to synthesize their knowledge in a special project during senior year in preparation for graduate and professional work. Participating English and English/Creative Writing majors need to earn 10 credits in addition to their regular English/Creative Writing coursework. To earn these 10 credits they work closely with a faculty mentor, the director of Honors, and other English Honors students as they prepare their thesis. They will also have the opportunity to present their Honors Project at a public event before graduation on our campus.

Women Studies

Women Studies is an interdisciplinary program with a focus on women and gender. Students in the Program deepen their understanding of the social and cultural constructions of gender which shape the experiences of women and men both nationally and internationally; understand and evaluate feminist critical scholarship and apply it across disciplines and in all areas of life; analyze the connections between gender inequalities and other forms of discrimination (for instance, sexuality, race, class, or ethnicity); and develop skills to deal effectively with gender issues. With its roots in social justice movements, the methods and goals of Women Studies support the Jesuit mission of education informed by ethical, spiritual, and intellectual values and prepare students to become effective and ethical leaders. The major is excellent preparation for work in a variety of fields, such as international development, public service, education, politics, advertising, journalism, health, counseling, social work, or pastoral work. Women Studies majors can also continue on to graduate studies in Women and Gender Studies, or in fields such as English, Law, History, Sociology, Social Work, or Political Science. Visit the website here.

Director: Mary-Antoinette Smith
Phone: (206) 296-5415
Email: masmith@seattleu.edu

Study Abroad

The English Department currently offers three study abroad courses.  ENGL 425/480: AMERICANS IN PARIS focuses on the rise of “Modernism” in art, literature, and science, takes students to Paris and often to the south of France for two and a half weeks.  The course’s “Walkbook” of guided-journal writing assignments requires students to fully engage the paintings and the historical places.  Offered most summers since 1990, AMERICANS IN PARIS can satisfy the Core’s Interdisciplinary requirement or an English or general elective. For more information on AMERICANS IN PARIS  contact Edwin Weihe, eweihe@seattleu.edu.

The department now runs two study abroad trips to Ireland.  Updated information on both of these trips will available fall quarter.  For information on either of the trips to Ireland, contact Dr. Sean McDowell, mcdowell@seattleu.edu.

Normally students will register for these 5-credit courses in spring quarter for the Preparation Phase of 10-12 hours of class meetings.  If you are interested in summer abroad study, detailed course descriptions will be available, fall quarter, in the English Department.   

Fragments: SU's Arts and Literature Magazine

Established in 1958, Fragments publishes annually the best literature and visual art of the Seattle University community.  You can peruse recent issues of the magazine in the English Department.  If you are interested in joining the staff, please contact Sharon Cumberland, slc@seattleu.edu.  For submission guidelines, please visit http://www.seattleu.edu/fragments.

Careers

What can you do with an English major?  More than you probably think!  English majors are trained to read, write, and communicate exceptionally well. In an age of text messaging (does the word “could” actually have all those letters in it?) and speed email, the English major’s passion for and expertise with the language gives her an edge in almost any career field she might explore.  English majors are successful in the business world (advertising and marketing are some of the more obvious choices), the legal profession (we’re used to reading all the time, after all), the entertainment industry, the arts world, and, of course, the noble profession of teaching.  English majors who would like to have access to specific career information maintained by the department are invited to join the online Angel community group maintained by the department’s student committee.  Contact Dr. Kate Koppelman,
koppelk@seattleu.edu, for more information.

Graduate School

Thinking of going to Graduate School in literature, creative writing, or rhetoric and composition?  Your experience in Seattle University’s English Department will serve you well in such a pursuit, but realize that applying to and attending any graduate program is hard work!  The best thing you can do to prepare is to plan:  plan ahead and plan well.  To help you in your planning, check out the department’s Guide to Applying to Graduate School and Dr. Charles Tung’s prize winning handout on writing your statement of purpose.  Contact Dr. Kate Koppelman, koppelk@seattleu.edu, for more information.

Internships: A Great Opportunity

Internships are opportunities for English majors to work in professional settings, either for experience or for payment, and to receive 1 to 5 upper division credits toward the major for your work.  At the same time, you develop valuable work experience.  You must be a junior or senior and have the permission of the Director of Internships, Dr. Mary-Antoinette Smith, who also notified students of internship opportunities available to English majors.  Positions which offer supervision and in which students apply their skills as English majors working for a business or non-profit institution or agency qualify for internship credit.  All internships are pass/fail.

Recent opportunities enjoyed by English majors have been with Sasquatch Press, W.W. Norton Company, Seattle Publishing, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Public Leadership Education Network, Washington State Democrats, Starbucks Coffee Company, Yes! Magazine, Seattle International Film Festival, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, Seattle Art Museum, and King County, Washington.  All English majors receive frequent email notices of available internships.  See Dr. Mary-Antoinette Smith, masmith@seattleu.edu, for further information.