Bachelor of Arts in English: Literary and Cultural Studies

English Career Opportunities

  • Blogger
  • Editor
  • English as a Second Language Teacher
  • Grant Writer
  • Journalist
  • Lawyer
  • Librarian
  • Professional Writer
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Technical Writer
  • Publisher
  • Content Creator

Allow Your Love of the Written Word To Take You Places With a BA in English

Literature has the power to transport the reader across the globe, across time and across cultures. But can the study of the English language in all its intricacies do the same? What can you do with an English degree? From teaching to writing, a BA in English from Mid-America Christian University (MACU) can lead to careers you may never have considered. It’s a degree that strengthens your writing ability, your critical thinking, and your love of language. Those are strengths that can be used in almost any career, but which especially give you an edge in any job market where the ability to effectively communicate in English is a requirement. Think writer, editor, teacher, or even marketing content creator.

The job outlook for writers is expected to grow 9% over the course of the next ten years and the outlook is similar for most jobs an English degree qualifies you for.  

MACU is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). 

Expand Your Social Circle as You Expand your Options With Your English Degree

Just as English language studies open your career options, earning your degree surrounded by like-minded students and professors expands your life options. Regardless of where your field of endeavor leads you, lifelong friendships created on campus at MACU go with you. It’s a Christ-centered atmosphere designed foster both educational and spiritual growth. 

And it all takes place in the heart of Oklahoma City, with a strong job market that might even keep you here for life. Activities in the city include eclectic shopping and entertainment districts plus an abundance of enriching attractions ranging from museums to outdoor adventure.

Additional advantages of an on-campus degree program at MACU include:

  • An affordable and streamlined degree completion plan
  • Low student-to-professor ratio
  • A campus where security is a priority, including 24-hour monitoring 
  • Support services that allow students to thrive, including tutoring
  • Faith-based activities and social groups
  • Competitive sports teams

The English Degree You Crave Earned in a Christ-Centered Atmosphere 

We live in a world where communication is valued, almost above all else. But communication without a moral basis adds up to nothing more than empty words. At MACU, you can have both. You can study the world’s literature and culture and learn to analyze it through the Christian perspective that grounds you.

MACU degree programs are designed to create leaders with character. Dedication to Christ is layered through the entire curriculum of your degree plan, then taught by professors with beliefs that mirror yours. The result is a degree that elevates your intellect as it allows you to grow spiritually.  

Request More Information

Major Courses

ENGL 2103

British Literature Survey I

This course is a study of English literature from the old English period to the restoration and 18th century with an emphasis on literary analysis, literary theory, and the relationship of literature and cultural milieus. Prerequisite: ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1203. Offered fall semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 2203

British Literature Survey II

This course is a study of English literature from the Romantic period to the present with an emphasis on the relationship between literature, historical setting and cultural milieus. Offered spring semester: odd numbered years.

ENGL 2403

World Literature Survey: The Renaissance to the Modern Era

This course is a study of both western and non-Western literature from 1650 to the present with an emphasis on literary analysis, and the relationship between literature, historical setting and cultural milieus. Prerequisite: ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1203. Offered every spring semester.

ENGL 2503

American Literature Survey: Before 1865

This course is a study of American literature from the pre-colonial era to 1865 with an emphasis on literary analysis, and the relationship between literature, historical setting and cultural milieus. Offered fall semester: Odd numbered years.

ENGL 2603

American Literature Survey: Since 1865

This course is a study of American literature from 1865 to the present with an emphasis on literary analysis, literary theory, and the relationship between literature, historical setting and cultural milieus. Offered spring semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 3503

Advanced Composition

This course is a study of practice, theory, research, and assessment of writing strategies with emphasis on style, editing, the range of print and non-print text, and the relationship between text and the social environment. Prerequisites: ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1203. Offered fall semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 3513

Major Figures

This course provides in-depth study of specific authors and their associated literary movements. Content will vary but will emphasize major authors and their works organized around a theme or era. Prerequisites: Junior standing or special permission. Offered every fall semester.

ENGL 4353

The Apologetics of C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is notable as a 20th century Christian thinker and lay apologist whose works remain widely read and influential in the church into the 21st century. Among his best-known works in this field are Mere Christianity, surprised by Joy, and A Grief Observed. These and other of Lewis’ apologetic works will be studied in the course both for their content and continued applicability. Offered spring semester: odd numbered years.

ENGL 3703

Creative Writing

This course provides instruction in the scope of the creative experience in language arts with an emphasis on writing short stories, poetry, and drama. Prerequisites: ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1203. Offered spring semester: odd numbered years.

ENGL 4203

Modern Grammar

This course is a study of semantics, syntax, morphology, phonology, and grammar of the English language with emphasis on the role of cultural contexts. Prerequisite: ENGL 1103, ENGL 1203, and six (6) hours of literature. Offered spring semester: even numbered years.

EENGL 4303

Shakespeare

This is a study of a selection of Shakespearean tragedies and tragicomedy comedies, and histories with emphasis on literary analysis and the moral and spiritual value of the works. Prerequisite: ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1203. Offered fall semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 4533

Critical Approaches to Literature

This course is a survey of literary critical theory with deeper study of selected schools of literary criticism. Study of major literary critics and their contributions. Offered spring semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 4143

Women in Literature

This course offers focused study on literature written by women from one or several literary periods. The approach will be thematic, regional, historical, etc. Prerequisites: ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1203 Offered spring semester: even numbered years Offered fall semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 4503

History of the English Language

This course is a study of the development of the English language, stressing changes in phonology, morphology, vocabulary, syntax, and orthography of Old, Middle, and Modern English. Authors and works important to the history and development of the English language will also be studied. Prerequisites: ENGL 1103, ENGL 1203, and six (6) hours of literature. Offered fall semester: odd numbered years.

ENGL 3713

Ethnic American Literature

This course studies the literature of American ethnic groups, particularly African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans and may include works by people identified with other societal groups. Various genres as written by these groups will be studied. Offered spring semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 3733

Native American Literature

A study of Native American literature including the oral tradition, storytelling and mythology, focusing on selections by contemporary writers. The class will emphasize works by Native American writers and works associated with Oklahoma and by Oklahoma by Native American nations. Offered fall semester: odd numbered years.

ENGL 3923

Cultural Theory and Popular Culture

A study of the relationship between literature and culture. The course will survey a variety of texts such as memoir, folk writing, and traditional fictive genres as they relate to culture. Analysis and contextualization of contemporary media such as film, television, music and hypertexts will also be included. Prerequisites: ENGL 1103 and ENGL 1203. Offered fall semester: even numbered years.

ENGL 4543

Language and Popular Culture

This course concentrates on the complexities of teaching the English language to both first language and second language learners with focus on the interrelationship of reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and thinking; visual forms of language; the many varieties of the English language; the impact of cultural and societal events on language; the impact of language on teachers, students and curriculum design; language and self-image; and research and professional issues in this area. Prerequisite: ENGL 4203. Offered spring semester: odd numbered years.