Why English?

Since I have been a part of the English Department, we have had a document we call "Why English?". At first, it was a pamphlet that summarized the Major requirements and department events. It later became a little explanatory sheet about the department. Each year it is revised and changed, and even though I work on it, I have never felt that to me it really answered "Why English?" Why do we study English?

I never really considered this question until I became Junior Representative to the Chair. As Representative to the Chair, my main job is to represent students of Clark's English Department at the Majors and Minors Fair for undecided students and for accepted students which occur about four times a year. I just recently worked at the latest Majors and Minors Fair, now as Senior Representative, with Nicholas Porcella, the new Junior Representative and Chair Jay Elliott.

This Year's Majors and Minors Fair. Myself, Nick, and Professor Elliott

Being representative, I get asked this question a lot, especially by parents.

"Why study English?"

"What are you going to do with English?"

"What can you do with English?"

"How useful are your English classes?"

"Do you think it is wise to study English in this economy?"

The constant undertone is "Why English?" Don't we already know enough of English by college? Aren't there more effective degrees to have? What use is it to read books? How will this get my son or daughter a job? How will English get you a job? And respectfully and honestly, I try to answer the question for them and their child of "Why English?". Most of the time I answer that my English courses teach me the most and are the most applicable courses to the "real world". I can  say that although I am a management minor, I know my English skills are what have gotten me jobs, have gotten me internships, have gotten me noticed in courses outside the department, will carry me forward in my career. English classes have granted me the ability to communicate effectively, write efficiently and clearly, think critically and analytically. I have gained all of my most transferable skills by sitting in my English classes and learning the material they have for me. People believe that all you can do with English is teach, but it is a subject that lends itself to any profession you may want to have. Business? Certainly. Law? Undoubtedly! I cannot think of a better way to prepare yourself to work than to really learn how to synthesize information quickly, condense an idea to its most necessary components, and communicate it efficiently. (I have I said enough buzzwords yet? But seriously, I do honestly believe this.) I know that as I head towards a path of Student Affairs that I take with me a considerable talent and skill for writing and speaking that was developed by my time as a Clark English major.

While this answer is honest, it is probably not the most true reason for "Why English?", at least not for me. The real reason I chose English was my passion for it. English is art. Have you not been overwhelmed by the gorgeousness of a poem and its awe-inspiring imagery? Is there not a quote that speaks to your core being that you have lifted from the dog-eared pages of your favorite work? I believe that the written word is beautiful and should be accessible to all. I believe that by reading the stories of others, I can come to better understand difference and better understand sameness. I learn more about myself with every novel I pick up, every paper I write. There is something fundamental about the human condition that every piece of writing is attempting to tap into, something that is ineffable but that every writer strives to reach out and touch, to make an audience feel. By reading I feel closer to my true self, to humanity. I chose English because I feel that English matters, stories matter. The books people write will live on, be read for years to come because they matter. Why English? Because it matters. Because its beautiful. Because it is essential to my understanding of being human.