English
Department of English
College of Arts and Sciences
306 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4610
Phone: 716.645.2575
Fax: 716.645.5980
Web: cas.buffalo.edu/english
Joseph Conte
Chair
Robert S. Newman
Director of Undergraduate Studies
About the Department
English students explore the expressive power of language primarily through a comprehensive study of the English and American literary tradition; however, this focus often broadens to include other verbal arts such as drama, folklore, film, and video, and foreign works in English translation. We aim to help students become critical readers and writers. Critical readers employ analytical skills of close reading, historical contextualization, and theoretical reflection. Critical writers synthesize the results of their analysis into coherent and original critical essays. We also teach the writing of poetry and prose fiction, autobiography, and journalism. English prepares students for careers--such as education, journalism, law, and many others--that require analytical ability, strong writing skills, and an understanding of the role of language and literature in culture. Most English courses are open to majors and nonmajors.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.A., Minor
Graduate: M.A., Ph.D.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0.
Completion of the university writing skills requirement.
Two 200-level literature courses (202-299) with a minimum GPA in those courses of 2.5.
Bring current UB DARS report directly to the English department.
Acceptance Information
Deadlines: Rolling
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
Generally speaking, any two literature courses taken at an accredited college or university satisfy the English department's requirement for two lower-level literature courses. The department generally accepts up to four junior- or senior-level courses taken elsewhere for upper-level credit. Students with questions regarding the evaluation of transfer credits should see the director of undergraduate studies in 303 Clemens Hall.
About Our Courses
We limit enrollment into our lower- and upper-division courses so that we can offer good students the rare chance to study in a proper intimate environment of students and teachers. We offer courses both in traditional areas of literary studies and in crossdisciplinary approaches to literary texts so that students may use English as a general preparation for any career that requires writing skills, literacy, research methods, and cultural awareness.
Working poets and novelists teach literary classes; distinguished critics offer seminars from Beowulf to best-sellers. Courses in literature and psychology, literature and the law, and cultural studies also further the department’s commitment to the methods and insights of diverse fields.
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory courses is: 24
Lower and upper level courses is: 40-45
Honors seminars is: 12-15
In the Department of English, what do student teaching assistants (TA's) do?
TA's teach the freshman composition sequence (ENG 101 - ENG 201), and some 200-level literature courses.
Suggested Introductory Courses
- ENG 221 - ENG 222 World Masterpieces
- ENG 231 - ENG 232 British Writers
- ENG 241 - ENG 242 American Writers
- ENG 251 - ENG 260 Literary Types
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
The English department has been consistently ranked in the top thirty English departments in the United States. The faculty consists of nationally and internationally prominent scholars who also take teaching very seriously; six faculty members have won the prestigious SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
We recommend that students meet with Joseph Conte, the Director of Undergraduate Studies (306 Clemens Hall, 716-645-2575), to discuss their future program and the requirements of the department.
Special Academic Opportunities
Honors Program
The English department offers an honors program for serious students who enjoy doing intensive work and would like the challenge and excitement of exchanging ideas and research with fellow students and instructors in a seminar setting. Planning and writing a thesis is another opportunity the honors program offers. Students may qualify for the honors program when they are accepted into the English major if (1) they have taken at least two lower-division and two upper-division English department courses with a minimum GPA of 3.5, and (2) they submit a writing sample.
Internships
The English department awards academic credit to students who submit an acceptable writing internship proposal for work either on campus or in the community, and who successfully complete their chosen project.
George Knight Houpt Prize
Awarded to a graduating English major who has exhibited excellence and proficiency in the work of the English department. The prize is $100. Criteria include a high GPA in English, high overall GPA, recommendations from faculty, and a piece of written work submitted by the student.
Arthur Axlerod Memorial Award
This prize is for poetry only and is open to all University at Buffalo undergraduates. The prize is $100.
Scribblers Prize
For the best piece of creative writing by an undergraduate woman. The prize is $100.
The Albert Cook, Mac Hammond, and John Logan Prizes
Awarded for the best offerings in poetry, fiction, or drama. There are three prizes of $500 each.
Extracurricular Activities
The Literature Society is open to all university students with interests in language and literature. It edits a poetry journal, n a m e, sponsors poetry and fiction readings by university students and by other writers, and also sponsors other social events.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
- Art History
- Comparative Literature
- History
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Romance Languages and Literatures
- Theatre & Dance
Career Information
Skills gained in this program include:
- Writing: Writing creatively, creating persuasive messages, using precise language, assessing an audience, presenting specific viewpoints, writing concisely, drafting documents, and editing.
- Research: Defining problems, establishing hypotheses, gathering information, using original sources, interpreting data, summarizing and presenting information, and evaluating results.
- Critical Thinking: Thinking independently, reading critically, understanding components of complex problems, perceiving patterns/structures, comparing/contrasting, synthesizing themes, and summarizing ideas.
Career Choices
- Admissions representative
- Advertising specialist
- Author
- Broadcaster
- Editor/publisher
- Educator
- Film/arts critic
- Freelance writer
- Grant writer
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Legislative assistant
- Librarian
- Market research analyst
- Paralegal
- Public relations director
- Radio production assistance
- Scientific/technical writer
- Screenwriter
- Speech writer
- Writer’s agent
Alumni in English have found employment in the following ways:
Many of our students go to graduate school in English, law, business, library science, and social work. Others receive teacher certification and teach high school. Still others work in business and media.
What percentage of undergraduates goes on to find related employment?
50%
Work settings include:
- Advertising agencies
- Book publishers
- Chambers of commerce
- Consumer action groups
- Educational institutions
- Government agencies
- Health and human service organizations
- Large companies
- Law firms
- Literary agencies
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Political offices
- Printing firms
- Public interest organizations
- Public libraries
- Radio/television stations
- Research institutions
- Theatres
- Tutoring services
Salary Information
Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another. According to the April 1998 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates, English graduates' salaries averaged $28,129 and ranged from $20,000 to $40,000.
What percentage of undergraduates goes on to graduate school?
20%