English at Keuka College

Through the study of literature as well as through practice in writing, students majoring or minoring in English are encouraged to develop a greater sensitivity to the power of language to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world in which we live. Thus, the English program consists of two major components-literature and writing-each intended to enhance students’ appreciation for, and capacity in, verbal expression.

In particular, the English program aims to develop further the following qualities and capacities in its students: (1) the ability to read with discrimination and write with clarity, cogency, and persuasiveness; (2) a sensitivity to written expression as a way of responding to and attempting to make sense of experience, and, in particular, an acquaintance with the characteristics of each of the major genres of literary expression: prose, poetry, and drama; (3) a substantial knowledge of the historical development of British and American literature and of the English language, along with some acquaintance with literature in languages other than English and with literature beyond the traditional canon; and (4) an understanding that what we read and the ways in which we read are affected by gender, historical context, cultural background, and political and philosophical assumptions.

The benefits of such a program are both practical and personal. The study of English can help make us more aware of the range of human experiences, and at the same time, help us express our own perceptions of that experience with greater cogency and creativity. In addition, students of English can offer prospective employers an array of skills that are much in demand in today’s work force: the ability to communicate effectively, to think rigorously and creatively, and to adapt themselves readily to new circumstances in a rapidly changing world.