The English Minor at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine invites students to explore the power of language and literature as tools for critical thought, ethical inquiry, and creative expression. Rooted in the College’s mission and Mercy traditions, the minor encourages students to engage with texts that reflect diverse human experiences, challenge injustice, and inspire meaningful dialogue between faith and reason. 

Through coursework in literary analysis, writing, and cultural studies, students develop strong communication and research skills applicable to a range of professional fields, including education, law, journalism, business, and the nonprofit sector. With a focus on social justice, environmental awareness, and inclusive storytelling, the English Minor emplowers students to use language as a force for positive change in their communities and the world. 

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this minor, you should be able to do the following:

• Analyze and interpret literature, including its purpose, method, and ethical/moral dimensions.
• Demonstrate the ability to appreciate works of literature.
• Demonstrate an understanding of core aspects of Narratology in works of literature.
• Demonstrate an understanding of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos in works of non-fiction.
• Formualte and articulate one’s own interpretation of a literary work using close reading skills. 
• Identify and discuss literary aspects (such as imagery and theme) of a work.
• Apply various literary theories (Narratology, Gender Theory, Marxist Theory, Reader-Response Theory, Semiotics) to textual analysis and synthesis.
• Interpret creativity, invarious artistic forms (including but not limited to creative writing) with literature in ways that demonstrate intellectual, spiritual, and aesthetic engagement in the creative process.
• Develop and demonstrate good communication skills in writing and speech.
• Make and explain connections between course content and one’s chosen professional field; the content connection will be made using both material studied in the course and skills learned and/or developed in the course. 
• Engage in reflective practices to evaluate one’s own learning in this course and apply that learning to other areas of experience, both academic and professional. 
• Optional: Participate in a Community-Based Learning Project, to be designed in concert with the English Faculty and the outside institution/program. 

Courses Required for the minor:

• The English Minor requires a minimum of 18 credits of EH 200-level or higher courses. 
• Note: Neither EH 100 nor EH 101 fulfill minor requirements.