Bachelor of Arts degree in English with concentration in Film Studies

The Department of English and Foreign Languages offers outstanding opportunities for students thinking of careers in such varied fields as higher education, law, creative writing, business, government, and middle/secondary school teaching. In recent years, our majors have held many undergraduate fellowships before winning admission to the most selective post-graduate programs and law schools in the country, including Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, and the University of Virginia. Students in our Interdisciplinary Cinema Studies Program have secured internships in studios like Universal and Spike Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule before going on to pursue graduate study and a career in film. Many of our majors take advantage of the Advanced Studies in England Program to spend a summer or a semester in Bath, England and take courses taught by Oxford professors.

The English major provides a rich, humanistic education that prepares graduates for success in many different fields. Students may choose from four distinct course sequences: English Arts, a relatively traditional curriculum oriented to the study of literature; Creative Writing, which covers fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; Secondary Education, which prepares students for teaching roles in secondary education; and Film Studies, which helps students to prepare for careers in film. All of the sequences reflect Hampton’s historical identity. For example, students may choose courses in African American English, African American Literature, Caribbean Literature, and African Literature, as well as such traditional offerings as Shakespeare, American Literature, English literature, and Literary Criticism.

The Film Studies concentration is for those interested in writing for film, television, or other media and for students interested in film criticism or filmmaking. Cinema Studies offers a number of stimulating film-related courses. Recently, for example, students enrolled in a course in scriptwriting focused on adapting the work of novelist Omar Tyree. At the end of the course, their work was critiqued in person by Mr. Tyree.

Study Abroad Opportunities

The Department of English and Foreign Languages has had an ongoing relationship with the Advanced Studies in England (“ASE”) program for over a decade. The program offers US students the opportunity to study for a semester, year, or summer in Bath, England. The Department of English and Foreign Languages also offers the Dr. Margaret Lee Scholarship to help with travel expenses associated with the program.

Rich in history and tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. Hampton University is a private university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. In addition to being one of the top historically black universities in the world, Hampton University is a closely connected community of learners and educators, representing 35 territories and nations.

Hampton University is located on the east coast of the United States in the state of Virginia. The campus is located on a peninsula near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and is surrounded by water on three sides which gives it the nickname “Our home by the Sea”. The surrounding city of Hampton has many businesses, retail and residential areas, historical sites, and miles of waterfront and beaches. Attractions such as Fort Monroe, NASA Langley Research Center, and the Virginia Air and Space Center add to the splendor - and fun - of the HU campus. While Hampton University is primarily a liberal art and education university it also specializes in business, engineering, technology, nursing, pharmacy, and the sciences. Hampton University has the privilege of having the first and only NASA mission that is 100% led by an HBCU (Historically Black College & University). It is also the home of the largest and most advanced Proton Therapy Institute in the world.

Accreditation

Hampton University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, professional, and doctoral levels.

The University is also approved by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV). The University holds membership in the Council of Graduate Schools, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, and the American Council on Education.

In addition, Hampton University (its undergraduate and/or graduate colleges) is accredited or approved by other bodies.

Schools and Programs

• James T. George School of Business
• School of Science
• Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications
• School of Nursing
• School of Liberal Arts and Education
• School of Engineering and Technology
• School of Pharmacy
• Graduate College

Organizations

• HU Athletics
• Honors College
• Leadership Institute
• Military Science
• Government Relations
• Hampton University Research

Resources

• myCampus
• HU Online
• HU Museum
• Harvey Library
• Proton Therapy Institute
• Center for Teaching Excellence
• HU Residence Halls

Number of Programs Offered

Bachelor's Degree Programs ---- 50

Master's Degree Programs ---- 25

Professional Degree Programs ---- 2

Doctoral Degree Programs ---- 9

Post-Master's Degree Program ---- 1

Associate's Degree Programs ---- 7

Certificate Programs ---- 3

Total ---- 97