The Department of English had its beginnings with the Washington State Normal School in 1892. Its main function at that time, in keeping with the schools' purpose, was to educate potential teachers on how to teach the English language. This focus changed as the school changed and as faculty were added. During the early 20 th century, speech and expression were emphasized as the Department began to encompass all foreign languages at the School. During the 1930s, works of literature began to be the focus of the curriculum, and by 1950 the Department suggested its current form by offering courses in Composition, Journalism, Fiction, Poetry, American and English Literature, Literary Criticism, and World Literature with a faculty of twelve. Today there are over twenty faculty and over one hundred courses offered.