English

Professors Bendel-Simso, R. Carpenter, Dalton, Kachur (Department Chair), and Regis; Associate Professors Dobson, Jasken, Assistant Professor Ursin; Senior Lecturers S. Seibert and Spence; Adjunct Lecturers Breslin, Byrnes, Ord and Raver.

Areas of particular teaching interest: Professor Bendel-Simso: 19th- and 20th-century American literature, southern literature; Professor Carpenter: modern British literature, Victorian literature, colonial/post-colonial literature and theory; Professor Dalton: journalism; Professor Dobson: rhetoric, literary nonfiction, and advanced writing; Professor Jasken: professional and electronic communication; Professor Kachur: 18th- and 19th-century British literature; Professor Mangan: creative writing, American literature, women’s literature; Professor Regis: colonial and 19thcentury American literature, the novel, popular literature; Professor S. Seibert: composition; Professor Spence: Socio-linguistics and discourse analysis; Professor Ursin: American and African American literature, historical fiction, and literature of the black diaspora.

The English Department strives to equip our students to read and think critically and creatively and to express themselves in lucid speech and writing. We accomplish this by encouraging students to read a broad variety of literatures in English in their historical, social, cultural, political economic, and psychological contexts. Our goal is to foster reflective, dedicated, lifelong learners.

The study of English has enabled graduates to succeed in advanced study in a variety of fields, and to pursue a broad range of career paths, including teaching at all levels, journalism, professional writing, business, library science, social work, government service, public relations, and law.

Other Educational Options in English: Minors in Literature, Writing, and Journalism.

Please see the Education section under Curriculum in this catalog for teacher certification requirements in English.

Please see the Dual Major section for dual majors with Communication, History, Political Science, and Theatre Arts.

Departmental Honors

To receive Honors in English, a student must:

Have a grade point average of 3.50 or above in all courses taken in the major
Earn an “A” in ENG 4492
Have the recommendation of the English department.