Overview
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Introduction to English
The English program at MCC will do more than just prepare you for transfer to another program or institution; it will help you gain insight into yourself and others. As an English major, you’ll learn valuable real-world skills that will empower you to participate meaningfully in intellectual, civic and vocational life.
Coursework in English provides foundational skills in how to:
- Think, read and write critically and creatively.
- Comprehend and evaluate readings and understand them as products of historical and cultural contexts.
- Read and write with an appreciation for the aesthetic and expressive possibilities of language.
- Analyze and synthesize complex information.
- Engage ethically with the ideas of others.
- Find high-quality research sources and weed out sources of mis/dis/mal-information.
- Ethically and effectively leverage the power of AI in research and writing.
- Communicate effectively in writing or speech using varied and appropriate rhetorical approaches.
- Research comprehensively and ethically at every stage of the process from idea generation to presentation of the final product.
Degree & Certificate Options
The English program offers the following Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree:
- English (A.A.)
Program Goals
The goal of the English program is to help you develop into a future scholar, citizen and professional through coursework in research, rhetoric, writing and literature. Exposure to a wide variety of texts and ideas will help you become a more thoughtful and intellectually curious person, well positioned to move on to additional study or enter the workforce.
Curriculum
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to the English degree program must comply with general college admission requirements and must also provide a High School transcript or participate in an interview with an MCC Admissions Counselor.
There are no other specific program admissions requirements.
Incoming Transfer Policy
- College Composition I and II coursework must be completed no more than 7 years prior to acceptance into the English degree program. Exceptions to the 7-year maximum timeframe for College Composition I and II may be granted at the discretion of the Program Coordinator or Department Chair.
- The College Composition I course proposed for transfer must be a college-level course and require a research paper. The College Composition II course (or equivalent) proposed for transfer must include argument writing and advanced research methods.
Curriculum: Required Courses
Course Sequencing
Degree Program – First Year
Degree Program – Second Year
Outcomes
Acquired Skills
A Versatile Skill Set
Studying English develops critical thinking, communication and analytical skills that will serve you well in every aspect of your life and vocation.
Self and Other-Awareness
Studying English exposes you to diverse cultures and human experiences through literature. This broadens perspectives and deepens understanding of the world, facilitating both personal growth and professional opportunities.
Creativity and Expression
English studies foster creativity and self-expression, allowing space for you to explore and develop your own voice through poetry, fiction and non-fiction writing. Whether you are looking to get into a creative industry, or you just appreciate the power and beauty of the written word, an English major could be a great fit for you.
Employment Opportunities
English majors have skills that are in high demand across many professions. The ability to analyze and synthesize complex information, to communicate clearly and to appreciate multiple perspectives has never been more valuable.
These English majors have successful careers in a wide range of fields:
- Toni Morrison, Nobel Prize-winning Author
- Diane Sawyer, Television Journalist
- R.A. Dickey, Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher
- Julian Bond, Civil Rights Leader, Congressman
- Harold Varmus, Nobel Prize-winning Scientist
- Sally Ride, Astronaut, Physicist
- Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
- Michael Eisner, Former CEO of Disney
Potential Jobs
A degree in English can prepare you for potential jobs like:
- Advertising Assistant
- Copywriter
- Corporate Trainer
- Editor
- Educator
- Freelance Writer
- Journalist
- Manager
- Marketing Director
- Project Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Technical Writer
Potential Salary
Salaries for English majors vary widely depending on position.
Outgoing Transfer Opportunities
Students in the English degree can successfully transfer to colleges and universities around the country, including:
- Boston University
- Emerson College
- Keene State College
- Plymouth State University
- Rivier University
- Southern NH University
- University of New Hampshire
- University of Massachusetts
- …and many more!
Research & Academic Writing
College Composition I
College Composition I is our core first-year research and writing course. Our lab-based approach to academic writing and research at MCC involves a semester-long process of inquiry, conversation and evolving perspective on your chosen topic. You’ll bring your laptop to class (or use a college-provided one) and sit in conversation with your faculty and peers to evolve your thinking and writing. Class sizes are small, so you’ll receive frequent one-on-one instruction and support from your professor. To get the most from this class requires engagement – with source material, assignments, discussions and people. Our goal is to create a course that encourages interaction and civil discussion on the topics you are passionate about.
College Composition II
College Composition II builds on skills developed in College Composition I with a greater focus on rhetoric, the art of persuasion. Whether it takes the form of advertising, memes, music or media, rhetoric is everywhere and shapes our daily lives. Learning to recognize its many forms, analyze the appeals being made and distinguish between ethical and unethical forms of persuasion is critical to being a well-informed person, especially in the digital age. Major assignments will require you to craft rhetoric in visual, written and spoken forms.
