Hey guys, I'd love your help. As a soon-to-be English major, I'm trying to sift through the ocean of colleges out there to find the best ones for an English major. Can any of you put me on the right trail?
There are many universities with strong English programs especially suited for those who are a fan of Shakespeare. A couple of universities that come to mind are:
- University of California, Berkeley: UC Berkeley's English program is well-renowned and offers numerous courses focusing on Shakespeare's work, both in the context of his time and through a modern lens.
- University of Chicago: The University of Chicago has a very strong humanities department and its English program is no exception. They even offer an intensive track in language and literature for those who want to delve even deeper.
- Yale University: Yale has a well-regarded English department and is known for its rich literary community. They have offered entire classes dedicated to the works of Shakespeare.
- Harvard University: Harvard consistently ranks amongst the top universities for English Literature and has an endowed chair, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professorship of English and American Literature and Language, specifically for the study of Shakespeare.
- Columbia University: Columbia's English department is also incredibly strong. They offer many courses on Shakespeare and even have Shakespearean scholars amongst their faculty.
When looking for an English program, particularly one with a focus on Shakespeare, a couple of things you might want to consider are the breadth and depth of courses being offered, the scholarly work conducted by faculty, and opportunities for discussion, such as seminars and literary clubs. Remember to explore each college's course catalog to get an idea of the classes they offer in their English program. All of the schools mentioned would provide excellent instruction and breeding grounds for a Shakespeare-loving English major!
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