In keeping with the liberal arts tradition, the mission of the English Program is to provide AUK students with the ability to use English language effectively so that they can think creatively and critically, cultivate a life-long process of inquiry, and can reach their full potential as individuals and as productive citizens. Through the development of students' cultural awareness and information literacy, the program prepares students for the increasingly complex challenges of the 21st Century.

For students Majoring or Minoring in English, the program provides a sound foundation in the structure of the English language and its literary traditions; it also educates students in the exploration of the relationships of language and literature to the individual and society, and to history and politics. The program also provides a broad range of American, British, and world literature carefully selected by the faculty to include work by women and men of diverse backgrounds and in a variety of literary forms and periods.

Thus, students command of written language, their ability to analyze concepts, and their broad understanding of human nature and social realities may give them a competitive advantage in the pursuit of careers in a variety of fields, including education, media, business, and civil service or, with appropriate graduate work, in professions such as law and higher education.

Bachelor of Arts in English
Program Lead: Dr. Kathryn Kleypas
Program E-mail: English@auk.edu.kw

English Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the AUK Major in English, the student will be able to:

• Recognize a wide range of literary works of world cultures, sub-cultures and minority groups
• Compare and contrast texts produced in different periods and genres
• Identify and discuss representative authors, works and movements
• Analyze cultural and literary texts using theory
• Develop independent thought and judgment to carry out research projects
• Develop and communicate ideas clearly in writing
• Evaluate cultural and literary texts within socio-political, historical and economic contexts

English Majors begin their coursework with surveys of Western Literature and World Literatures in English and then advance to courses that focus on particular motifs, genres, critical approaches, time periods, authors or countries.

Admission to the Program:
Formal admission to the Major requires a cumulative GPA of 2.00.

University Degree Requirements (120 credit hours)
To receive a Bachelor of Arts in English, students must complete at least 120 credit hours. In addition, students are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of upper-level courses (300-level and above) at AUK of which at least 18 credits hours need to be taken in the major.

• General Education Requirements (45)
• English Core Requirements (18)
• English Electives (27)
• Free Electives (30)

English Core Requirements (18 credit hours)
Students must complete the following 6 courses (18 credit hours):

English Electives (27 credit hours)
In consultation with their Academic Advisor, students must take 9 courses (27 credit hours) from any remaining ENGL 300 or 400-level courses, or ENGL 207.

Free Electives (30 credit hours)
Choose 10 courses (30 credit hours) in consultation with the Academic Advisor.
 
NOTE: ENGL 485, Senior Thesis (3 credit hours), applies as an English Elective. Upon successful defense of a thesis, students who select this option may have "Honor Thesis" reflected on their transcript.