Profound literacy is the hallmark of a liberal education. To that end, English Department courses involve instruction and study in literature and writing, the emphasis varying according to course content. Through intensive reading and critical analysis, students develop an appreciation for literature and explore textual representations of the human condition and the world in disparate times and places. Through expository writing, students learn techniques for conducting research and for drafting and revising analytic and persuasive essays based on critical reading. In creative writing, students develop an aesthetic through practicing the craft of various genres. The English Department prepares students for professional and academic leadership, including careers in teaching and writing.