Your Path
The St. Olaf English Department welcomes you to envision your path here. We offer three majors: English, English with Teaching Licensure, and Creative Writing. While each of these paths is distinct, they share a commitment to the study of literature.
Literature is one of the most compelling ways humans have reflected on their lives and the world around them, imagined different worlds, and communicated with each other. In their study of literature, our students dig deeply and range widely. The English Department’s three majors emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and communication and prepare students for a variety of futures–as scholars and educators; journalists and lawyers; leaders in business, politics, publishing, and the non-profit sector; video game designers and filmmakers; and novelists, poets, and professional writers.
Coming up!
Announcing the 2023-24 English Department Awards
Congratulations to the student prize recipients!
Spohn Award: Ainsley Francis ’24 and Charlotte Smith ’24
Fiction: Megan Davis ’26
Nonfiction: Hannah Pahs ’25, Blue Nawa ’24 (honorable mention)
Poetry: Olivia Hebblewhite ’24
Spohn Award for Publishing: Blue Nawa ’24 and Phoebe Joy ’24