Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs in English

"English majors understand human nature better than economists do." - Jane Smiley

Why Study English?

When studying English at UNO, you will be exposed to outstanding faculty, a wide-variety of challenging and interesting classes, and a variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

The Department of English offers flexible programs where you can take courses in areas that interest you including literature, composition and rhetoric, creative writing, and language studies. You will learn to analyze literary and non-literary texts within cultural and historical contexts, to think critically, to write clearly, and to communicate persuasively. 

What can I do with my English degree?

Actually, you'll have a wide and exciting selection of careers. English majors are trained to write well, to organize ideas in a logical way, and to develop arguments. You can analyze complex information, research, and critically read and observe. With these skills, you can work for book publishers, hospitals, television networks, advertising firms, and the government.

Employers, graduate schools, and professional schools often seek out well-rounded English majors because they are versatile, able to use their training as writers, thinkers, editors, and teachers in fields such as medicine, law, business, media, and public service.

See English Alumni Careers flyer here.

For general questions about the major, contact Dustin Pendley.

See English Major Brochure for more information.

American Literature

The American literature concentration exposes students to the rich and diverse legacy of creative expressions produced by authors from the area now known as the United States of America.  This nation and its expression have developed uniquely over time from periods of pre-contact, colonization, urbanization, and modernization among others. By applying various critical theories to these productions, students learn both to appreciate their artistry and understand their significance as cultural artifacts. Students in this concentration gain extremely valuable skills, including the ability to see beyond the surface of texts, think critically in innovative ways, and clearly communicate their ideas in writing. 

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British / Irish / Anglophone Literature

The British/Irish/Anglophone concentration is the study of more than a thousand years’ worth of literature belonging to the British Isles, Ireland, and the former Commonwealths of the British Empire. Students read, study, and interpret diverse literary texts in an effort to understand their own cultural moment through literary encounters with the past and present.

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Creative Nonfiction

The Department of English Creative Nonfiction Writing Program has been designated a "Program of Excellence" in the College of Arts and Sciences, and offers a wide-range of courses taught by nationally published, award-winning faculty. 

Guided by published, award-winning faculty, students in the Creative Nonfiction concentration study and write a wide range of creative nonfiction forms, including, Modern Familiar Essay, Autobiography, Travel Writing, and Narrative Nonfiction. A key component of the Creative Nonfiction concentration is that students not only learn to critique artful language and literature but they also learn how to create it.  Along the way, students learn to craft personal experiences, ideas, and interdisciplinary research into compelling, persuasive prose that appeals to a diverse audience. The concentration is also flexible, allowing students the opportunity to pursue their interests in other academic disciplines and creative genres.

Broadly defined, creative nonfiction writing is fact-based writing that employs "creative" techniques often found in fiction and poetry, and our courses in this genre include:

• Autobiography
• Travel Writing
• Graphic Memoir
• Nature Writing
• Spiritual Writing
• Food Writing
• Creative Nonfiction in Digital Environments

Students in creative nonfiction courses learn to craft personal experiences, ideas, and interdisciplinary research into artful, compelling prose that will be valued within many professional settings.

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Language Studies

Language Studies is a rich, interdisciplinary concentration in which students learn to interrogate texts of all sorts. This program of study combines four disciplines: composition studies, rhetoric, linguistics, and technical communication. Students learn how people make choices about the texts they produce and those they consume. In language studies, we value text in the broadest sense of the word—any language produced for any given audience, purpose, or activity. At the end of their program of study, students will be accomplished critical thinkers, readers, and writers.

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Secondary Education

This concentration is available only to those pursuing a BS in Secondary Education, with an endorsement in Secondary English 7-12, from UNO’s College of Education. By taking just three more English courses (at the 3000 or 4000 level) than are required for this endorsement, a student can graduate with a BS in Secondary Education and a double major in English. This type of degree, indicating enhanced critical thinking and writing skills, will help make those who choose this concentration extremely attractive to a wide range of potential employers, both inside and outside the educational field.

Secondary Education Concentration Worksheet

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