Activities & Opportunities

Wheaton-in-England
We hope all students in the department consider going on Wheaton-in-England during their time at Wheaton. The program is designed to allow students to study English literature in its native environment. The program is led and taught by full-time professors of the Wheaton College English Department.

Writing and Literature Conferences
Each year the department invites noted scholars and writers in the field to give lectures or readings on campus. Recent visitors have included Kathleen Norris, Walter Wangerin, John Leax, Judson Mitcham, Walford and Hazel Davies, Jeanne Murray Walker, Dana Gioa, and James Schaap, among others.

Writing Contests
The English Department sponsors two on-campus writing contests during the year: the Lowell-Grabill Creative Writing Contest, which invites entries in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, and the Jameson Essay Writing Contest, which invites entries which integrate faith and a particular discipline. There are cash awards for both of these contests.

Internships
Majors in the department may take an internship, which provides an opportunity to integrate actual work experience with academic learning. Recent internships have been in the area of writing and publishing, though other options are available.

Honors Program
The Honors Program at Wheaton is an option in many departments for those who qualify. This program provides an opportunity for in-depth independent work, culminating in an honors paper, which is defended orally before a faculty committee. Students who complete this program successfully receive the designation of department honors on their transcript and on the printed graduation program.

Study Abroad
The department encourages qualified majors to consider a semester abroad. Information from various programs is available in the department office. One highly recommended program is the Scholar's Semester in Oxford, sponsored by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Many majors have been accepted into the program and have recommended it with enthusiasm to others.

Campus Publications
The College publishes a weekly newspaper, a yearbook, and a literary magazine. Editors for these publications are chosen from among the student body and receive stipends for their work. Many positions are open on all of these publications, and English majors have made strong contributions in the past. The literary magazine, Kodon, regularly welcomes submissions of original work in poetry, fiction, and art.