Our students have appeared on The New York Times Best Seller List and been published in Marvel Comics, National Geographic Traveler and The New Yorker.
Whether you aspire to be a writer or a journalist, a teacher or a travel writer, the George Fox University English program can kickstart your career in any field. You’ll learn how to communicate with clarity and grace, while gaining real-world professional experience. Join a vibrant community of passionate students and talented faculty who will help you learn and grow in small, rigorous classes.
As an English major, you will be taught to read and write with attention to truthfulness, logic, rhetoric and aesthetics. In an increasingly competitive and changing marketplace, a degree in English can be the foundation for the thinking, imaginative and interpretative skills necessary for workplace success.
Cultivate a mastery of the literary arts and immerse yourself in the richness of global and English literature. Examine influential texts of the past with attention and discernment on a pathway designed to hone your pen, sharpen your mind, and prepare you for the worlds of writing, publishing, and academia.
Studying the literary arts will impart skills in close reading, critical thinking, analytical and problem solving, empathy, and embodying the gospel – the most important story of all.
Teaching and Travel
Get ready to teach English around the world! This path will equip you to teach at various education levels, whether in private academies, community colleges, or even abroad. With the TESOL certificate included, you’ll gain the skills to teach English as a second language anywhere.
Immerse yourself in the intricacies of language so you can pass your knowledge on to others, or even start a career in travel writing. The world is full of possibilities!
Creative Storytelling
Companies and consumers increasingly demand authentic excitement over brands and emotional connection to products. This path prepares you to deliver just that!
Creative storytelling is at the heart of countless industries, from corporate brand creation to nonprofit fundraising or even video game development. Master a skill of many applications, and leverage your understanding of language and story to create memorable experiences with meaningful impact.
Program Distinctives Why Study English at George Fox?
Each member of our faculty is a published writer who is knowledgeable about the publishing industry. They teach from practical experience, not textbook knowledge. Each specializes in different kinds of writing, from young adult fiction to poetry to journalism to academic writing.
Beyond exploring the classics of literature, you will become a more perceptive reader and interpreter of the Bible, helping you gain a better understanding of how your faith informs your writing practice.
Submit to or edit for The Wineskin (our literary journal), contribute to our campus newspaper The Crescent, or publish work in community media or literary outlets. In addition, several students in our Magazine and Feature Writing course are published regularly in media outlets outside the university.
If you are an English major or minor with a 3.0 GPA or above and three semesters of college credit, you may join the George Fox chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, which qualifies you to submit your creative and scholarly writing and, if selected, to present your work at the international convention.
Courses / Curriculum What Will I Study?
Diverse and influential texts across times and cultures
Persuasive storytelling tailored to specific audiences
Navigating the publishing world and marketing your writing
Interpreting life and literature from multiple perspectives
The principles of composition and how to teach writing effectively
The Cornerstone Core is a set of 12 courses across 10 academic disciplines that undergraduate students take at George Fox to cultivate their character within the Christian context.
Introduces important concepts in the study of literature. Students will learn techniques in close reading, and will read, discuss, and produce written analyses of a variety of literary texts in order to better understand historical, political, cultural, and formalistic aspects of literary works.
Introduces and examines as literary texts significant works of world mythologies. Readings stress those cross-cultural themes and literary forms exemplifying the ideals, values, and concerns that have shaped our shared human condition. The course surveys myths from African, Middle Eastern, Asian, Native American, Meso-American, Oceanic, and European literatures. Universal motifs and unique differences in these traditional sacred and secular stories are examined with an eye to understanding how myths underpin cultural, community, and individual values, ethical teachings, and spiritual experiences that continue to inform the world's cultures.
Introduces important concepts in the study of writing. Students will read and respond to writing and rhetorical theory, and will read, discuss, and produce written analyses of theories in the study of writing. Prerequisite: WRIT 111 Caring for Words, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
This course examines career options for English majors. Goal setting, professional development, and marketing skills are emphasized. Required of all English majors. Prerequisite: English major with sophomore standing.
Students will choose to research and write a senior thesis, working with a faculty member in their area of interest; or will complete a service project in a community organization, in a school classroom, or in another identified literacy program; or will complete a professional internship; or will create a portfolio of written work.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing
Considers works written in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas during the medieval and early modern periods. Students examine culturally defining texts that reflect both the uniqueness of culture and the universality of literary themes. Students read a sample of texts written between the medieval period and 1900. The focus is on texts that continue to be important to the culture they represent, such as The Tale of Genji, Journey to the West, The Thousand and One Nights, The Divine Comedy, and Shakuntala.
Considers contemporary writings from women around the world. Students analyze these literary texts, examine the cultures they represent, and keep apprised of current events related to women. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
This course helps those who want to understand and to be able to explain to others what can be done to make writing correct, clear, and precise. Focuses on constructing, editing, and correcting sentences and paragraphs. This is not a remedial course.
A study of the nature of verbal symbols as they function in communication. The course will include phonetic transcription, semantics, modern grammatical theories, history of the English language, and modern English dialects.
A selective look at early American literature, from its beginnings to the nineteenth century. Examines themes, movements, and writers from colonial America, the early republic, and the antebellum United States. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200-level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor's permission.
A selective look at the literature of the United States, from the nineteenth century to the present. Particular attention is given to the masterworks of Naturalism, Realism, and Modernism, especially to those that have proven influential on contemporary literature. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200-level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor's permission.
A consideration of the life and works of the poet/playwright and the sociopolitical history of the Renaissance. The course examines the sonnets and a selection of the plays from each genre: comedy, tragedy, history, and tragicomedy. Prerequisites: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at the literature of the British Isles, from the earliest texts through 1660. Particular attention is given to the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Renaissance periods. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at the literature of the British Isles during the Victorian, Modern, and Contemporary periods. Particular attention is given to the literature of doubt and faith, the development of the novel, and post-Colonial issues.
Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
Introduces students to various schools of literary criticism. Students will practice using different critical approaches to writing about literature. Recommended for juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: WRIT 200 Understanding Literature and 6 hours of literature courses or instructor's permission.
This course provides an introduction to writing theory. Students will explore different approaches to writing theory, and will apply what they have learned about composition and rhetoric to their own written work. Prerequisite: WRIT 200.
Complete 21 credit hours from LANG, LITR, or WRIT courses, at least 15 of which must be at the 300-level or above. Students are strongly encouraged to follow a recommended track.
This course explores trends in media convergence, focusing as well on the ways reporters, editors, and designers create stories for the web. Particular emphasis will be on web-based story design, the coordination of text and art, and the creation of stories for a variety of new media outlets. Prerequisite: WRIT 111 Caring for Words, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at early American literature, from its beginnings to the nineteenth century. Examines themes, movements, and writers from colonial America, the early republic, and the antebellum United States. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200-level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor's permission.
A selective look at the literature of the United States, from the nineteenth century to the present. Particular attention is given to the masterworks of Naturalism, Realism, and Modernism, especially to those that have proven influential on contemporary literature. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200-level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor's permission.
A consideration of the life and works of the poet/playwright and the sociopolitical history of the Renaissance. The course examines the sonnets and a selection of the plays from each genre: comedy, tragedy, history, and tragicomedy. Prerequisites: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at the literature of the British Isles, from the earliest texts through 1660. Particular attention is given to the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Renaissance periods. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at the literature of the British Isles during the Victorian, Modern, and Contemporary periods. Particular attention is given to the literature of doubt and faith, the development of the novel, and post-Colonial issues.
Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
An introduction to the theory and practice of teaching English (or any language) to non-native speakers. Topics include principles of language teaching, communicative and interactive approaches, teaching methods and techniques for improving different language skills, lesson planning, materials selection and adaptation, testing, cultural issues, teaching English as Christian witness, and working with English-as-a-second-language students in a mainstream class. Students relate theory to practice in a school- or community-based practicum.
Introduces students to various schools of literary criticism. Students will practice using different critical approaches to writing about literature. Recommended for juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: WRIT 200 Understanding Literature and 6 hours of literature courses or instructor's permission.
A course designed to provide fundamental knowledge and experience in reporting, writing, and editing news for the print media. Prerequisite: WRIT 111 Caring for Words, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at early American literature, from its beginnings to the nineteenth century. Examines themes, movements, and writers from colonial America, the early republic, and the antebellum United States. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200-level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor's permission.
A selective look at the literature of the United States, from the nineteenth century to the present. Particular attention is given to the masterworks of Naturalism, Realism, and Modernism, especially to those that have proven influential on contemporary literature. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200-level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor's permission.
A consideration of the life and works of the poet/playwright and the sociopolitical history of the Renaissance. The course examines the sonnets and a selection of the plays from each genre: comedy, tragedy, history, and tragicomedy. Prerequisites: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at the literature of the British Isles, from the earliest texts through 1660. Particular attention is given to the Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Renaissance periods. Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A selective look at the literature of the British Isles during the Victorian, Modern, and Contemporary periods. Particular attention is given to the literature of doubt and faith, the development of the novel, and post-Colonial issues.
Prerequisite: LITR 111 Faith and Story, any 100 or 200 level LITR course or equivalent, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
An introduction to the theory and practice of teaching English (or any language) to non-native speakers. Topics include principles of language teaching, communicative and interactive approaches, teaching methods and techniques for improving different language skills, lesson planning, materials selection and adaptation, testing, cultural issues, teaching English as Christian witness, and working with English-as-a-second-language students in a mainstream class. Students relate theory to practice in a school- or community-based practicum.
A course designed to provide fundamental knowledge and experience in reporting, writing, and editing news for the print media. Prerequisite: WRIT 111 Caring for Words, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
This course explores trends in media convergence, focusing as well on the ways reporters, editors, and designers create stories for the web. Particular emphasis will be on web-based story design, the coordination of text and art, and the creation of stories for a variety of new media outlets. Prerequisite: WRIT 111 Caring for Words, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
A workshop approach to writing feature articles and other shorter nonfiction forms for periodicals. Student-produced material is submitted to various publications as part of course expectations. Prerequisite: WRIT 111 Caring for Words, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
Introduces important concepts in the study of literature. Students will learn techniques in close reading, and will read, discuss, and produce written analyses of a variety of literary texts in order to better understand historical, political, cultural, and formalistic aspects of literary works.
Introduces important concepts in the study of writing. Students will read and respond to writing and rhetorical theory, and will read, discuss, and produce written analyses of theories in the study of writing. Prerequisite: WRIT 111 Caring for Words, enrollment in the Honors Program, or instructor permission.
Students must choose 9 additional semester hours of writing (WRIT)* coursework
*WRIT electives may not include WRIT 100, 103, 110, or 111
Writing minor for English majors:
An English major with a concentration in Literature may complete a Writing minor by meeting the following requirements:
1. The WRIT 200 Studies in Writing requirement is replaced with a WRIT elective, 200-level or above.
2. No course can be counted twice, for both the major and the minor.
3. Only courses 200-level and above will be counted toward fulfilling the requirements for the minor.
Career Outlook What’s After George Fox
Employment of writers and authors is expected to rise 4% between 2024 and 2034, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – as fast as the national average for all professions. Employment for educational instruction, which includes English teachers, and library occupations is also projected to grow as fast as the national average for all occupations during that time span.
Jordan Ifueko Creates Stories for a New Generation of Fantasy Fiction Readers
As a child, Jordan Ifueko breathed books. She inhaled stories like oxygen, drawing life from the pages of the British literature that crowded her Nigerian immigrant parents’ shelves. Fairy tales and fantasy novels filled her with wonder and painted her imagination in bright shades of magic.
It wasn’t long before Ifueko, brimming with verbs and plots and characters, exhaled stories of her own, crafting worlds in ink and page. She started writing Raybearer – the young adult fantasy novel that would eventually land Ifueko on the New York Times Bestseller List – when she was just 13.
What I appreciated the most about the time I spent studying at George Fox was the creative latitude to explore, define, craft and hone my own creative aesthetic. Under the guidance of gifted instructors I was encouraged to examine rigorously what it is I wanted to write and how best to write it.
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