English

Interim Chairs: Sunita Manian and Kerry Neville

Professors: Alex Blazer, Jennifer Flaherty, Bruce Gentry, Mary Magoulick, Peter Selgin

Associate Professors: Craig Callender, Kerry Neville, Laura Newbern, Katie Simon

Assistant Professors: Nancy Beasley, Kerry Evans, Julian Knox, Chika Unigwe

Senior Lecturer: Jeffrey MacLachlan

Limited Term Lecturers: Jeffrey Fallis

Please see GCSU’s Campus Directory for department and faculty office locations, phone numbers, and email addresses, and the department website for additional department information.

Mission

All degree and minor programs in the Department of English share a central, essential devotion to the core values of a liberal arts education: to help students cultivate their critical intelligence; develop their expressive skills in speaking, writing, and other forms of meaning-making; and advance their understanding of the ways language, writing, and argument function in historical and contemporary contexts. Though each program’s emphasis is of course different, all are linked in crucial ways, sharing a belief in the fundamental value of various forms of literacy and the skillful, ethical use of language and persuasion to the good functioning of society. Moreover, each enacts a commitment to the fulfillment of the University’s mission to help students develop inquisitive, analytical minds, a respect for human diversity and individuality, a sense of civic and global responsibility, and sound ethical principles.

The primary purpose of the major in English is to introduce students to their own literary and linguistic heritage, to acquaint them with representative works of major world writers, and, in the case of the Creative Writing concentration, to foster students’ creative skills to enable them to participate as practitioners in that heritage. Such an introduction is made possible by offering them a wide range of courses in English and American literature, including survey, genre, and major-figure courses, as well as survey courses in world literature. Courses in creative and expository writing, the history and structure of the language, critical theory, and composition theory help students sharpen their critical awareness, encourage clarity of thought and expression, and stimulate and develop the creative imagination. In short, the degree in English develops critical thinkers and effective communicators, people whose skills are applicable in a wide range of careers.

Career Information

English majors are becoming increasingly popular as students more clearly understand not only their intrinsic value as effective means of acquiring a liberal education but also their value as stepping stones to a number of professions. Effective use of the English language enhances the possibilities for success in whatever occupation one pursues. English majors frequently become high-school and college teachers, but many other fields of employment are open to them. Many become librarians; personnel officers; public relations officers; newspaper, radio, and television writers or on-air personalities; employees of any number of governmental agencies; and managers of business firms. Broadly educated, these majors have the potential to succeed in numerous employment fields. An English background is regarded as especially effective training for careers in law, business, and medicine; all of these professions require an understanding of humanity, which the study of literature provides, and an ability to communicate clearly, which the study of rhetoric provides. Furthermore, the English major prepares the student for careers in literary editing and publishing.

Activities Typical of Undergraduates in English

The Corinthian, The Literary Guild, The Peacock’s Feet, Romanticism Club, Shakespearean Circle, and Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society.