BA in English in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

As an English major, you'll develop skills in critical analysis, attentive reading, and clear written expression. Through diverse literature courses and writing workshops spanning various eras, styles, and cultural traditions, you'll examine how storytelling, imagery, and language reveal the nuances of human existence. The English Department provides extensive coursework covering British, American, and global Anglophone literature, alongside creative writing, academic composition, and film studies. Literature classes emphasize textual analysis, author studies, genre exploration, theoretical approaches, and historical connections between literary works and other fields. Writing instruction often follows the workshop model, where students refine their craft through peer and instructor feedback. Our department cultivates sharp analytical abilities and effective communication, while encouraging thoughtful consideration of language itself and an appreciation for the intellectual challenges and joys found in diverse literary works.