<p>Unless you are a died in the wool Modern Language Association type, you should stay away from the English department. Independent study topics tend to be incomprehensible and internship opportunities in real companies are non-existent. If on the other hand, you are a writer, find a good creative writing program and do that. If you have considerable strengths in a foreign language with a strong literary tradition, you can do comparative literature. That will get you a spot in an international consulting firm if you go to HYP or some such.</p>