By Kelly Stenka
When you think of jobs involving artificial intelligence, it’s easy to picture tech professionals organizing cables in big server rooms or computer engineers meticulously combing through lines of code in high-tech labs and offices. But as AI continues to evolve and shape industries, it’s not just tech professionals who are in demand. Companies are increasingly looking for people who can harness the power of AI with the skills of language, communication, and creativity.
English majors, meet your next new line of work: AI prompt engineering. And Doane University is going to get you there.
Doane University’s English Department aims to set students up for success in the age of AI with the launch of an all-new Thinking and Writing with AI Certificate. This innovative program is designed to bridge the gap between classic rhetorical skills and modern AI prompt engineering.
Beginning in the fall of the 2025-26 school year, students will have the unique opportunity to take specific classes geared towards applying literary skills in the world of AI, positioning themselves at the forefront of an evolving digital landscape.
In a world where AI literacy is becoming essential, Doane is equipping its students with the tools to not only coexist with AI but to collaborate with it.
Phil Weitl, professor and chair of Doane’s English department, knew embracing AI was key. "A funny thing happened on the way to the future," he said. "The study of English equips students with critical rhetorical skills for engaging with generative AI. Writers and readers are suddenly at the forefront of innovation and technology, perhaps like never before. The key for us is to teach students to focus less on the product and more on the process of literary studies. As we like to say, to learn how stories work on the page is to know why stories matter beyond it. Simply put, AI allows us to tell a compelling new story, one that reasserts the real value of the Humanities as essential equipment for life and work at a time of unprecedented change."
The certificate program weaves AI literacy into Doane’s curriculum. Courses on rhetorical strategy, narratology, literary research, and textual analysis will prepare students to engineer prompts and evaluate AI-generated content with a discerning eye. From storytelling and information gathering to classroom lesson design, this certificate aims to enhance creativity and efficiency in ways that go beyond traditional writing.
As the world continues to embrace the potential of artificial intelligence, Doane University’s Thinking and Writing with AI Certificate program is an exciting new chapter for English majors, proving that the art of language and the power of AI can not only coexist—they can thrive together.
