We encourage students with established majors in other departments and disciplines to think about the possibility of dual or double majoring with English. The various tracks within the English major – literature, journalism, teaching, linguistics – pair well with a number of other majors. We believe that students who have skill sets in two areas, not just one, may have a distinct advantage in a competitive marketplace.
Several possible major combinations with English are shown here. These are just some of the opportunities for interdisciplinary study at UNH with the English department. Students who are interested in learning about a double or dual major option specific to their current major are encouraged to contact the English department for assistance.
Contact: Carla Cannizzaro (carla.c@unh.edu), Academic Coordinator, Department of English. Please call (603) 862-1313 to set up an appointment with Carla or stop by Conant Hall, room 113 to request a meeting time.
Biology and literature both inspire curiosity about human and non-human life forms; both require observation, investigation and experimentation; both depend on the imagination. For those considering a career in medicine or nursing, you'll learn how to reflect upon broader issues like the relationships between animals and humans, the meaning of pain, and the history of how we perceive racial and gender differences.
Suggested English courses to enhance your study of biology, nursing or/and pre-medicine:
- Trauma Studies (ENGL 787)
- Technical Writing (ENGL 502 or 602)
- Women in Literature (ENGL 585)
- Nature Writing (ENGL 521)
- Creative Nonfiction (ENGL 623)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
In English courses, students work alongside their professors to understand how gender intersects with issues of race/ethnicity, class, sexuality, religion, and culture. You will develop your ability to work well in a team, to articulate your ideas on the fly, and to teach others. On the job market, these skills are especially invaluable for those interested in civic engagement, community building and thoughtful leadership.
Suggested English courses to enhance your women's and gender studies major:
- Major Women Writers (ENGL 785)
- Race and Gender in Film and Popular Culture (ENGL 778)
- Rise of Chick Lit: Jane Austen to Bridget Jones (ENGL 575)
- Women's Literary Traditions (ENGL 685)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
Actors who majored in English: Jodie Foster, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, David Duchovny, Reese Witherspoon, Julie Stiles, Tommy Lee Jones, Paul Newman, James Franco, Emma Thompson, Sigourney Weaver.
As you can see from the list above, majoring in theatre and English is a well-worn path. As a double major, you'll be introduced to the history of theatrical writing in English. In our small classes, you will think about how these texts are relevant to the modern world and gain sensitivity to their carefully crafted language. You will also have the opportunity to discuss and write with clarity and precision. Whether you're preparing for a career in performance or in a related creative field, pairing English with theatre is a strong combination.
Suggested English courses to enhance Theatre studies:
- Shakespeare (ENGL 657)
- Modern Drama (ENGL 782)
- Comedy Seminar (ENGL 787)
- Film Adaptation (ENGL 616)
- Early British Drama (ENGL 680)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
An English-arts double major offers you the opportunity to compare the creative strategies of painters and poets, sculptors and novelists, installation artists and filmmakers. You'll learn how to grapple with complex texts, develop your verbal and written communication skills, and consider collaboration and teamwork. English study can open doors with art publications and institutions, and it will make you a more versatile, multi-faceted artist.
Suggested English courses to enhance your study of art or music:
- Milton (ENGL 759)
- Folklore: Roots Music (ENGL 693)
- Romantic Poetry (ENGL 769 or 770)
- Studies in American Poetry (ENGL 747)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
Psychology majors investigate thorny questions about emotions, self-worth, unconscious cognition and social group membership. An English double major allows students to continue such investigations from a literary angle; to think through issues relevant to both fields in areas of perceptions, deception, sensation, and reaction; and to write about the world around them.
Suggested English courses to enhance your study of psychology:
- Contemporary American Literature (ENGL 745)
- Women in Literature (ENGL 585)
- Trauma Studies (ENGL 787)
- Studies in Film and Culture (ENGL 616)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
The changing media landscape has made social media an important campaign tool. As such, political scientists need to understand traditional and digital media, as well as how to tell effective stories across platforms. A dual major in English/journalism and political science can prepare you to experiment with new ways to foster civic life and engage audiences and a marketable set of skills for graduate study or a career in politics.
Suggested English/journalism major includes courses that will enhance your study of political science:
- 21st Century Journalism (ENGL 534)
- Multimedia Storytelling (ENGL 712)
- Creative Nonfiction (ENGL 623)
- Post-Colonial Literature (ENGL 581 or 777)
- War Cinema (ENGL 733)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
Scholars in English and political science are interested in questions of political thought, power, freedom, justice, authority, civil liberties, multicultural theory, feminism, transnational cultures, and globalization. This dual major can prepare students for graduate programs in international relations and the law, as well as for jobs in government, media, and non-governmental agencies.
Suggested English courses to enhance your pre-law or political science studies:
- Post-Colonial Literature (ENGL 581 or 777)
- Ethnicity in America (ENGL 609)
- Creative Nonfiction (ENGL 623)
- World Englishes (ENGL 606)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
The rise of digital communications and the social web have led to sweeping changes in information ecosystems. Editors and publishers need new graduates to experiment with new ways to tell stories, foster civic life and engage audiences. By studying English/journalism and computer science, you'll build this rare marketable skill set.
Suggested English courses to enhance your computer science studies:
- 21st Century Journalism (ENGL 534)
- The Digital and Visual Essay (ENGL 501)
- Multimedia Storytelling (ENGL 712)
- Digital Literacies (ENGL 789 or 920)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
The onset of climate change demands real rethinking in scientific, technological and policymaking fields. Advocates for our ecosystem must not only understand science, but communicate cogently about its effects. Students of English and environmental science are driven by optimism, activism and the desire to do right – and write! – on behalf of the environment.
Suggested English courses to enhance your study of environmental science:
- Nature Writing (ENGL 521)
- Environmental Theory (ENGL 734)
- Literature & the Environment (ENGL 636)
- Romantic Poets (ENGL 769 or 770)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
Cloud computing and mobile technologies now allow tomorrow's new ideas to transform established industries, but new graduates must become cogent writers and thinkers to analyze problems, pinpoint people's needs, and sell their ideas as thoughtful innovations. With an English and computer science major, you will develop these skills, useful and marketable in our rapidly changing world.
Suggested English courses to enhance your computer science studies:
- Technical Writing (ENGL 502 or 602)
- The Digital and Visual Essay (ENGL 501)
- Science Fiction (ENGL 555)
- Linguistic Analysis (ENGL 605)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
New businesspeople must become cogent writers and thinkers to analyze problems, pinpoint peoples' needs, and sell their innovative ideas. With an English double major, your knowledge of marketing, accounting and management will combine with writing skill, an understanding of storytelling, global perspective, and an awareness of cultural, racial and gender differences.
Suggested English courses to enhance your study of economics or business:
- Technical Writing (ENGL 502 or 602)
- Creative Nonfiction (ENGL 623)
- Post-Colonial Literature (ENGL 581 or 777)
- Entrepreneurial Journalism (ENGL 735)
... as well as a wealth of choices in literature, writing, linguistics and pedagogy.
