Coursework for a Bachelor of Arts in English provides comprehensive instruction in the resources of English, its language and literature. This instruction is central to a liberal education and fundamental preparation for graduate liberal arts and professional programs. Courses in English teach critical and original thinking and communication. Knowledge gained from majoring in English provides excellent preparation for a wide range of careers that depend on critical and creative thinking and the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively., The literature curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad-based foundation in English and American literature as well as in-depth inquiry into focused areas of literary study. Within this curriculum students are encouraged to read creatively and to discover what others have not seen. Students are asked to present these discoveries in writing in a persuasive way that allows others to see their importance. The literature program is enhanced and supported by links to the National Poetry Foundation, an internationally recognized center for the study of modern poetry.Writing Studies is served by outstanding graduate students and award-winning instructors, and has a rich history of being on the cutting edge of writing instruction and writing research. It serves the writing needs of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Maine. Through the numerous local organizations that its directors and instructors belong to, we also provide teaching, research, and professional development opportunities throughout the state of Maine and Northern New England. We offer a wide variety of writing-intensive classes at all levels of undergraduate education, from English 101 to upper-division courses. We also offer a Professional Writing Minor and, through our Writing Center, tutor support for writing. Through the Engineering Communication Project, we provide specialized help to novice engineers as they learn the ways of writing that are required in their disciplines. Graduate students can receive training in teaching composition, as well as professional and technical writing. Coursework that trains students in empirical research on writing, in addition to professional development opportunities to develop presentations, publications, and job application materials is also available.