English

Undergraduate Study: Bachelor of Arts (BA), or Minor in English.

Academic Program

The Department of English encourages students to develop their critical reading, writing, and creative skills through study of a variety of literatures in English, composition and rhetoric, and creative writing. The Department recognizes the unique diversity of cultures in Hawai‘i and employs a variety of approaches, including multicultural and Asia Pacific perspectives, to address this uniqueness. Students work directly with faculty in relatively small classes to allow personal attention. The Department participates actively in UHM’s Honors Program and its Study Abroad Semester and offers professional internships for interested students in the senior year.

The goals of the undergraduate English program are (a) to offer a comprehensive range of courses which recognizes Hawai‘i’s geographic and cultural location in the Pacific as part of a challenging program in literary and cultural studies, composition and rhetoric, and creative writing; (b) to develop students’ critical thinking and reading skills; (c) to develop students’ interests and abilities in rhetoric and writing across a variety of genres.

Major-Related Skills

In addition to discipline specific content, English majors have the ability to:

use language effectively in speech and writing.

explore meaning and articulate ideas for a variety of audiences.

think analytically and critically.

present ideas through well-constructed and systematic arguments.

build and defend one’s position while appreciating competing viewpoints.

make critical observations and evaluations.

Declaring English as a Major

Click here for a form-fillable major declaration form. Complete the first page of the Declaration of Major form and print two copies. Make an appointment with a faculty advisor in the Department of English to discuss your interests, major requirements, and course selection. The advisor will complete the second page of the form. Two copies of the completed form should then be turned in to the service counter for Arts & Sciences Student Academic Services.

Click here for concurrent degree requests (i.e., between A&S and another college or different degree programs within A&S, such as concurrent BA and BS degrees).

Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye

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