English language and literature majors have rich opportunities to explore their studies hands-on, both abroad and in the classroom.
Getting Published on Campus
Emily Henderson (Class of 2024) has a way with words.
The English/Creative Writing major and film studies minor wrote for multiple student publications during her time at Whittier. She was recently editor-in-chief of the Quaker Campus, Whittier’s student newspaper, after previously working as a copy editor, assistant news editor, deputy editor, news editor, and arts and entertainment editor.
Her favorite memory at Whittier was "the many, many, many late nights working on the newspaper, where at one point, you start becoming giggly at literally everything," she said.
Last year, as editor-in-chief of the Greenleaf Review, Emily led the acclaimed student literary journal to a second-place victory in a competition hosted by the international organization of Sigma Tau Delta.
Study Poetry in Mexico
San Miguel de Allende, a city painted red, yellow, and orange, looks like a gorgeous flame miraculously given permanent form.
It’s in the heart of this beautiful city—the long-storied home of artists and writers—that Juan Zuniga-Mejia found a rekindled self-confidence in his craft. He and several other Whittier College students recently traveled to the Mexican city with professor Tony Barnstone for San Miguel Poetry Week, where experienced poets taught them how to hone their skills.
“My writing as a poet has reached a level I honestly don't think it would have gotten to on it's own,” Juan said. “I came home with a lot of knowledge and brand new pieces and ideas.”
Ariel Horton feels the same way. Although she’s been writing all her life, she had never worked with so many seasoned writers before. After spending a week developing her craft and being motivated by their stories, she came away feeling humbled and inspired.
“It was definitely the most inspirational thing I’ve done in my life,” she said.
They arrived just in time to join in the celebrations of Día de Los Reyes (Three Kings’ Day), including watching a joyous parade weave through the center of the city. San Miguel de Allende’s streets are filled with artistic history (Pablo Neruda once lived there, for example) and beautiful architecture, including its soaring cathedrals. Venturing beyond the city, the class also enjoyed touring the ancient pyramids and riding horseback into the mountains—a thrilling memory Juan brought back with him.
English majors interested in traveling abroad through the Office of International Programs can have $2,000 of the trip paid for through the Global Poet Scholarship. To learn more about studying abroad, contact the Office of International Programs.
Explore Stories in England
Whittier students have explored Geoffrey Chaucer’s massively influential Canterbury Tales by journeying through the bustling streets of London and the villages of the English countryside, including historic Canterbury.
Professor Sean Morris has led Whittier students on the trip to discover how text and history overlap. Students experienced the real places and gained a deeper understanding of the people who inspired Chaucer’s story.
To add an extra element of fun to the trip, their literary adventure included a scavenger hunt in the historic English cathedral city of Canterbury.
Teach English, Today
Advanced English majors who are interested in teaching, whether at the high school level or in higher education, can get involved in a preceptorship, a kind of internship (or at least an apprenticeship) in teaching literature. Normally, these opportunities are offered in lower division English courses.
Preceptors attend class regularly, read for each class session, and model appropriate student discussion. They also hold office hours to help students understand the material and provide assistance with their papers for the course. Sometimes they offer, or help with, review sessions before major exams.
Most preceptors meet regularly with the professor to talk about the course, sometimes help plan the syllabus, and will plan and conduct at least one class session with the professor present. While professors are responsible for assigning the final grade, preceptors read and comment on student work.
For more information, contact the department at 562.907.4253.
