Develop your Functional Imagination:
‘Functional Imagination’ recognizes ‘gaps’ in literary works, informational content, and lived experiences. It recognizes the type of gap, chooses an imaginative technique and constructs a solution that bridges across the gap: whether it works to solve a mystery, understand a love story or political or cultural issue or bring people together. Functional imagination provides the skill-base that enables our graduates to see what’s coming next and imagine solutions in whatever professional field they wind up in.
Areas of Study
Our English studies department offers courses that develop excellent thinking skills and imaginative abilities by studying invigorating and challenging works from an expansive range of writing in English.
English Studies
English Studies majors develop lifelong critical-thinking and qualitative-reasoning skills. Authentic experiences with powerful thinking and writing enable students to discover and use the power inherent in well-expressed words to shape ideas and events. Theory-informed analysis provides students with the conceptual tools necessary to think critically and imaginatively about how literary media reflect and influence the human experience. An English studies major develops skills and habits that support success in a wide range of careers. McMurry offers students the chance to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English studies, a minor in English studies and a concentration in the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program. English StudiesEnglish Language Arts and Reading Grades 4-8
If you dream of sparking the passion for language and literature in young readers, you’ll find a career you love in education. By studying English language arts and reading with an emphasis in grades 4-8, you’ll gain a deep understanding of English structure, grammar and usage. You’ll develop the skills to provide developmentally appropriate and differentiated instruction that meet the needs of all students. Through teaching with literature, you’ll learn how to make stories come alive for young learners by helping them build a rich vocabulary and develop an aptitude for thinking critically and creatively. You can earn a Bachelor of Arts in English language arts and reading grades 4-8. You’ll also earn a minor in curriculum and instruction as part of this program. English Language Arts and Reading Grades 4-8English Language Arts and Reading
Grades 7-12
If your passion lies in supporting middle and high school students in their growth and development through language, you’ll find a fulfilling career as an English teacher. Studying English language arts and reading prepares you to design and implement instruction for secondary school students. Through your understanding of literature and instructional methods, you’ll introduce students to a variety of texts, help them build their understanding of the English language and foster a lifelong love of reading. At McMurry, your studies will earn you a Bachelor of Arts in English language arts and reading grades 7-12. You’ll combine your studies with a minor in curriculum and instruction to prepare you for a career in education.
English Language Arts and Reading Grades 7-12Film Studies (Minor)
In the film concentration, we approach cinema through the academic study of all its aspects — from film theory, history and criticism to the creation of films. Courses in this program explore scholarly analysis through interpretive techniques and give students the opportunity to explore fundamentals of filmmaking through study in screenplay writing, directing, and camera work. At McMurry, you can earn a minor in film studies. Film StudiesProfessional Writing Certificate
The writing certificate provides students with valuable experiences and opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Intensive workshop classes in poetry and fiction prepare students to be careful writers and thoughtful readers, while classes in writing for radio and television and writing for newspapers and magazines expose students to the conventions and methods of contemporary journalism. Finally, courses in film writing, writing and shooting a short film, and playwriting enable students to translate their words into action. Writing Certificate
Student Opportunities
The Writing Center
The Writing Center is located on the third floor of Old Main and is open to all McMurry students, providing an opportunity for them to consult with trained writing tutors as they work through their written assignments for courses across the curriculum. Our tutors will help with any aspect of student writing, from how to approach specific assignments to how to improve general writing skills, including revision, editing, formatting, and incorporating research. Tutoring sessions will be one-on-one and can be on a drop-in basis or scheduled in advance. The Center is a College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) Level 1 certified tutoring program under the direction of Mrs. Beth Laurence and staffed by peer tutors.The Galleon
Students can get involved with The Galleon, the literary magazine of McMurry. Showcasing the talent and creativity of students, The Galleon publishes original works of poetry, short stories, plays and art.Honor Society
McMurry is home to the Phi Epsilon chapter of the Sigma Tau Delta, the international honor society for students of literature and language. The mission of Sigma Tau Delta is to recognize outstanding performance in the language, literature and writing disciplines. Sigma Tau DeltaDepartmental Honors and Awards
Each year, the English department recognizes its outstanding students. Awards available to students include:- Stanley P. and Claudie Park Wilson Scholarship - Awarded each year to an outstanding upper-level English major. Renewable.
- Jewell Posey Outstanding English Major - Commemorating one of the 6 original Faculty women, awarded to 1 or more promising English Majors in their first 2 years.
- Mary Guillett Award for Outstanding English Graduate - Awarded each year to a graduating senior English student.
- The Promising Poet Award - Awarded each year to an outstanding young poet.
Honors Program
In addition to individual honors courses and beyond the capstone projects available to all majors, motivated students can complete departmental honors in English by completing an honors research project and writing an honors thesis. Honors ProgramGlobal Learning Endorsement
The Global Learning Endorsement provides an opportunity for students to highlight academic achievement in global/international studies on their transcript. This endorsement will provide helpful documentation of the student’s expertise for employment in an increasingly globalized world. Learn More
Beyond McMurry
Careers
A foundation in English at McMurry is a perfect launching point for further study and for careers in writing, editing, publishing, librarianship, journalism and law.- Advertising
- Business
- Education
- Entertainment
- Finance
- Journalism
- Law
- Marketing
- Media
- Nonprofit
- Public policy
- Public relations
- Publishing
- Teaching
- Video game design
- Writing
Join the Ranks of Accomplished Alumni
McMurry English graduates have also gone on to:- Graduate school
- Law school
- Medical school
- Pharmacy school
English Department
Mission and Goals
- Write essays and media projects using appropriate conceptual methods and researched information.
- Respond with emotional complexity, intellectual sophistication and imaginative engagement to works from diverse literary cultures.
- Understand and apply theories of literature and composition and rhetoric to develop new ways of thinking about traditional and emerging media.
- Participate in the English and Film Club, Sigma Tau Delta, internships and conferences.
- Pursue further graduate, professional or legal education or careers in fields requiring skilled critical thinking and written communication.