The English program at Ferrum College has two primary purposes: to serve all students by helping them develop and refine their writing and research skills, then by helping them understand how to read and write about literature; and to develop majors who are thoughtful, perceptive, articulate, and open to a wide variety of literary traditions and complexities of language. In addition, English graduates should be able to write effectively in a variety of contexts and should be well prepared for a broad range of careers, but especially those working with texts and language. The program helps students to develop both critical thinking and oral communication skills by familiarizing students with literature from diverse cultures, nationalities, and historical periods and through study of the history, structure, functions, and variations of language. Finally, English graduates should be proficient in using both traditional and modern technologies in the study of literature and language. A major in English provides excellent preparation for graduate school in many fields. English majors may not minor in journalism due to the College’s guidelines that no more than 39 hours in any major/minor combination may be drawn from the same academic discipline.