English

UH Hilo Home > Academics > College of Arts and Sciences

Mission Statement

The English Department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo offers a well-rounded and balanced approach to the study of English through introductory and specialized courses in composition and literature. UH Hilo provides multicultural studies to reflect the diversity of our environment. The size of the English department makes for intimate class settings. The program allows for hands-on learning, close student-teacher relationships, and student-designed curriculum.

In addition to a foundation of traditional English topics, such as British and American literature, the UH Hilo program offers a range of alternative and global literary works: Pacific Island literature, folklore, film, gender studies, and ethnic studies.

English is an all encompassing major. Upon completion of the English degree, students will be able to decode literature with critical understanding, while still maintaining a love of the written word. They will be able to form clear, effective bodies of work, while preserving their unique voice. Many of our graduates have gone on to such professions as Administration, Law, Primary and Secondary Education, Telecommunications, and Creative Writing.

Note: ENG 100/100T/100H or ESL 100/100T is required for all other English courses. Any additional prerequisites for courses are indicated as needed.

Degree Requirements

See degree requirements for a detailed listing of the English B.A. requirements and English Minor requirements.

English website

Visit the English website at http://hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/english/.

Goals for Student Learning

Students with a degree in English will develop:

  1. Familiarity with the literary tradition of England, the United States, and other English-speaking cultures of the world;
  2. Understanding of the socio-cultural and biological nature and structure of human language, in particular the English language;
  3. Understanding of the social, political, and cultural founda tions of literature in English;
  4. Understanding of the principles and practice of literary criti cism and literary theory;
  5. The ability to assess diverse viewpoints, to identify the as sumptions that underlie discourse, to assess the reliability of sources, and to analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources;
  6. The ability to write clearly, effectively, and concisely in for mats appropriate for the presentation of work to a variety of audiences and for a variety of purposes, including audiences and purposes common to academic and career settings;
  7. The skills to pursue and appropriately present the results of library research;
  8. Familiarity with the diversity of literary art and literary standards of excellence.

Requirements of the Major

  • Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required for the major.
  • To earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, students must fulfill the requirements both of the major and of the University's General Education program. (Please see the chapter entitled Baccalaureate Degree Requirements in this Catalog.)

Please Note:

  • Students wishing to make timely progress toward graduation are urged to pay careful attention to all degree requirements.
  • In addition, when planning a schedule of courses, it is imperative to be aware of course prerequisites and the frequency with which courses are offered. This information is available in the course listing at the back of this Catalog.
  • To ensure progress toward degree completion, students are urged to meet with an advisor each semester before registering.

English Faculty and Staff