What do we mean when we talk about the power of words? That words can thrill the reader? Capture feelings? Inspire peace between enemies? Incite war between friends?

All this is true: Words linger with us, and years later, lines from a favorite poem, novel, essay, or speech still resonate, still apply, and often mean something we'd never heard in them before. To love words - their history, their meanings, their rules, and their power - is to love the one gift that belongs to human beings alone.

English majors take on the task of considering words, uncovering their brilliance, and analyzing their endurance. Along the way they hone their own craft - their writing, their research capabilities, their powers of critical thinking. They engage in rigorous analysis, discussion, and debate, and learn to back up their views in writing that is focused, clear, exciting, and convincing. And they learn to find the words to bring that experience to others.

This training in sophisticated analysis and expression serves English majors well as they embark on careers in fields that value research and communication - journalism, publishing, teaching, public relations, and marketing, for example. English majors find satisfying work as freelance editors and proofreaders in technical writing areas like computer documentation and medical editing, and in people-oriented fields like corporate training. Many English majors advance to graduate school, preparing for challenging careers in higher education, law, and business, among other fields. And still others launch writing careers of their own.

Students and faculty in Southern's Creative Writing Program form a vibrant community of writers, supporting one another with ideas, criticism, and guidance. Through focused writing classes students develop artistry, confidence, and command of written forms, like the short story, poetry, drama, the novel, and writing for media. Throughout the year the department hosts readings by published and aspiring writers, and Southern writers meet regularly on and off campus to share their work. Students also have the chance to participate in an active student literary magazine, Folio. Southern is also home to Connecticut Review, a nationally recognized literary journal.

Students in this program gain the skills needed for careers in writing for business, nonprofit organizations, and the media. Students try their hand at technical writing, journalism, and public relations writing, while polishing their skills in information-gathering, composition, and preparing materials for publication. The specialization combines courses from the English and journalism departments, along with internships in professional writing settings in business, industry, government, and community agencies.

For more information, call the Department of English at (203) 392-6726.