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Department of English

Dr. Robert V. Hoskins, Head
Phone:(540) 568-6170
Web site: www.jmu.edu/english

Professors
J. Cash, M. Facknitz, A. Federico, J. Frederick, J. Gabbin, R. Hoskins, D. Jeffrey, B. Johnson, L. Kutchins, A. Morey, K. Sproles

Associate Professors
D. Bankert, S. Cote, S. Facknitz, M. Favila, C. Gilliatt, L. Henigman, R. Osotsi

Assistant Professors
M. Canivell, K. Castellano, P. Fulton, R. Gaughran, R. Majors, D. Mookerjea-Leonard, M. Rebhorn, M. Smith-Bermiss, M. Thompson

Mission Statement

The Department of English offers to all students, wherever their professional and vocational interests lie, skills in critical thinking, analysis and writing along with an appreciation of the great literary heritage of Western civilization, with particular emphasis upon British and American literature. The program also promotes global awareness and the appreciation of cultural diversity through numerous opportunities for world or multicultural studies. Our goal is that, through the humanistic study of a variety of literature, students will obtain a better understanding of themselves, their culture and other cultures with which they must invariably come into contact. A senior requirement ensures that each major will have a final capstone experience through courses designed to integrate earlier training and focus it toward postgraduate needs and opportunities.

Goals

To build upon the skills introduced in the General Education program, the Department of English strives to:

• Provide students advanced instruction in writing styles ranging from expository and creative writing to literary criticism.
  
• Help students master advanced skills in analytical and critical thinking.
  
• Develop skills in research and information access.

Career Opportunities

Careers that involve critical thinking, document analysis or oral and written communication

• Consulting
• Editing
• Graduate school in English, creative writing and composition
• Law school
• Public relations
• Publishing
• Research
• Teaching

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

• Sigma Tau Delta (the National English Honor Society)
• gardy loo! (a literary magazine)
• Sister Speak (JMU’s feminist journal)

Degree and Major Requirements

Students majoring in English earn the B.A. degree unless they are completing an English major with an interdisciplinary focus or an additional major in a degree program other than the B.A. The minimum requirement for a major in English is 36 credit hours of courses in the major.

Bachelor of Arts of English

The minimum requirement for a major in English with an interdisciplinary focus is 36 credit hours of course work; 24 of these hours must be in English courses, with 15 hours on the 300 level or above. Twelve hours from another discipline or disciplines must be chosen in conference with the student’s adviser and approved by the department head. For more information about the interdisciplinary focus, contact a departmental adviser.

The department recommends that students choose a variety of courses covering contemporary and early literature, as well as period, genre and linguistics courses. In addition to core courses, English majors must take nine credit hours of courses on or above the 300 level. Courses taken to fulfill General Education requirements may also fulfill requirements in the English major.

Degree Requirements

¹ The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.

² The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Language’s placement test.

Major Requirements

All students must include in their program the following core courses:

Although a course may be listed under multiple categories, it may be credited to only one category. In addition to the core courses, students must take at least nine credit hours of electives on or above the 300 level.

Recommended Schedule for Majors

Prior to declaring a major in English, students should consult with an assigned English adviser to plan a course of study tailored to their interests and goals. Students should contact the department office (Keezell 215) to request an adviser. The following chart shows a typical four year program.

Concentrations

Majors may use their electives to concentrate in British, American, or world literature or creative writing.

British or American Literatures

In consultation with their advisers, students may choose nine credit hours of courses beyond the core offerings that lead to a coherent view of the scope and development of British or American literature.

World Literature

In consultation with their advisers, students may choose nine credit hours of courses beyond the core offerings that acquaint them with the scope of world literature. Students should include any three of the following courses.

Creative Writing

Students with a strong interest in developing various writing skills should include in their program nine credit hours of electives from the following courses:

Teaching Licensure

In addition to the general education requirements and the minor in education, English majors desiring secondary teacher licensure must take the core courses listed above, complete the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree and include among their electives the following:

For a full description of the program in secondary education, refer to the College of Education.

Minor Requirements

The minimum requirement for a minor in English is 18 credit hours. At least nine hours must be taken in courses at the 300 level or above. A General Education required course cannot double count as a minor requirement. A minor in English does not meet requirements for the Secondary Teaching License.

American Studies Minor

American Studies is an interdisciplinary program of study that promotes an enhanced understanding of the whole of American civilization, past and present through examination of the diverse aspects of our culture and changing patterns of ideas and values. Courses come from the departments within the College of Arts and Letters and students will take courses from within three groupings: Multicultural Studies, Ideas and the Arts, and History and Politics. For more information on the minor in American Studies, refer to Interdisciplinary Programs.

Creative Writing Minor

The interdisciplinary minor in creative writing is designed to give students an opportunity to develop their writing talents across a number of literary forms and communication contexts. For more detailed information on the minor in creative writing, refer to Interdisciplinary Programs.

Film Studies Minor

The interdisciplinary minor in film studies is designed for students who wish to extend their critical understanding of visual communication and narrative form by studying how movies tell stories, convey information and influence audiences. For more detailed information on the minor in film studies, refer to Interdisciplinary Programs.