When you were growing up, did you spend hours with your nose in a book? Do you love the feel of fresh paper, the smell of old books, and the familiarity of a pen in your hand? Do you love brainstorming new ideas and creative solutions? Do you have an affinity for the written word? If so, you may be an ideal candidate for Buffalo State College’s English Program.
An English degree can open the door to many rich opportunities. Lawyers, professors, researchers, and lawmakers all need to have a heightened awareness of the power of language. Writers are needed in the fields of marketing and advertising, writing ad copy and other content. Finally, a writer’s precision, persuasiveness, and ability to communicate clearly and effectively can serve you well in a wide variety of fields.
Tim Bryant, associate professor of English, believes play can contribute to learning. For instance, in his American novel course, he challenges students to make metaphoric links in Mark Danielewski’s experimental novel House of Leaves while also playing the block-stacking game Jenga.
“It increases motivation,” he said. “Through this exercise, I’ve seen students make the best analysis of literature I’ve seen. When you get students involved in play, they lose some of their anxiety, especially in the context of a classroom led by a literature professor.”
"I was blessed with exceptional professors who taught the great literary works from positions both analytical and creative, the importance of multiculturalism in the arts, the fundamental rules of storytelling and, later, how to break those rules to shape my own work," said Kyle Bradstreet, '02, '04, who is a writer and supervising producer for the USA Network series Mr. Robot. The show took home the “Best Drama Series” award in 2016.
Buffalo State English bachelor’s degree program builds understanding of the development of literature in English and an appreciation of the variety and richness of literary texts. Courses emphasize interpretive thinking and precise written and oral expression, and the practices of reading, writing, and critical analysis. Students become adept at arguing a point, framing a narrative and analyzing various levels of meaning. This helps them develop research and critical thinking skills that are an excellent preparation for many professional fields, including teaching, journalism, law, publishing, medicine, and business.
Many colleges offer English degrees. Here are a few reasons why Buffalo State’s is unique:
Buffalo State is committed to providing students with opportunities to enhance their skills both inside and outside the classroom. There are more than 100 campus clubs and organizations in which students can participate. Below are just a few that may be of interest to English majors:
Because an English degree helps students build important research and critical thinking skills, they are prepared for a range of careers. Our graduates are working in fields as diverse as writing, marketing, teaching, law, and television. Many English majors go on to pursue careers in law or political science, both writing-intensive options. Below are just a few job titles that English program graduates hold:
