Student Opportunities
Department of English & History
Explore ways to enrich your academic experience, including events, internships, and study abroad opportunities.
Hear special class speakers
- Ciera Horton McElroy, author of the novel Atomic Family, shared about the process of creating a work of fiction and family connections to her writing.
- Dr. Robert Elder discussed the life and legacy of John C. Calhoun, the focus of his book Calhoun: American Heretic.
- Dr. Nadya Williams spoke about a more realistic evaluation of the lives of Christians in the ancient world, the topic of her study Cultural Christians in the Early Church.
- Dr. Tracy McKenzie addressed how to align our theological and historical thinking as he commented on his book We the Fallen People: The Founders and the Future of American Democracy.
Work or intern on or off campus
- On campus, English majors assist their professors, tutor writing to students in the Writing Center, and intern by writing the promotional media for the department or with Northwestern’s grant writer. Off campus, students have interned with Bethany House Publishers, Minnesota Public Radio, Redleaf Press, and Caribou Coffee, or counted their work on an intercultural trip as professional experience.
- History and PHE majors have opportunities to work on campus in the UNW library or other offices. Off campus, students have interned with the Minnesota Legislature, government offices, historical archives, museums, and local historical societies.
Attend department parties and events
- Eat hot dogs at the fall cookout, take a bizarre gift to the white elephant Christmas party, or dazzle other party-goers with quirky word skills at game nights at Professor Jones’ house. Listen to local writers at Inkstone Literary Readings. Visit local museums.
Attend and present at conferences
- English majors have attended the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University and presented at undergraduate literature conferences.
- PHE and History majors have presented research papers at the Conference on Faith and History and other meetings.
Write or edit for Inkstone
- Inkstone is Northwestern’s respected literary arts magazine, written and edited by Northwestern students.
Go to Twin Cities events
- Attend writers’ readings in venues off campus such as Minnesota’s literary center, The Loft, or special speakers for literature at venues such as the University of Minnesota. Join the annual tradition of a trip to Minnesota’s esteemed theatre, the Guthrie, to see its spring Shakespeare play.
