What's Their Story? To Help Save the Humanities, Let's Listen to English Majors

Document Type

Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.5590/JERAP.2025.15.1974

Journal Title

Journal of Educational Research & Practice

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Amid declining enrollment in humanities programs throughout the United States, the English major has been hit the hardest. This article gives voice to current English majors about why they choose to enroll in a program that often receives criticism pertaining to its value and worth. This study provides a literature review of the history of higher education in the United States, an examination of the humanities backlash that has evolved over the past half-century, and an exploration of the value of a degree in English. In addition, it provides survey results from a small group of English majors currently enrolled at a small public liberal arts college in the northeastern United States concerning the influences on their decision to major in English, their expectations of the program, their level of satisfaction with their decisions, and their definition of post-graduate success. I present recommendations on future research in this area and how leaders at colleges and universities can work with English majors to help share their stories and present a more accurate view of the program to prospective students and the public.

Comments

This journal is made available through the efforts of Walden University.  

Publisher Statement

JERAP supports the open exchange of information and offers Diamond Open Access, which includes free access to peer-reviewed articles and content without charging article processing and publishing fees.

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