Department of English

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Anupama Arora post-colonial theory and literature, especially from Africa, the Caribbean, South Asia and its diaspora; women’s studies;Asian American literature; colonial literature; literary criticism and theory

Anthony Arrigo visual rhetoric, technology and culture, multimodal literacy, technical communication, cultural studies

Jerry Blitefield rhetoric and composition, rhetorical theory and criticism, history of rhetoric, creative nonfiction, fiction

James Bobrick modern poetry, Renaissance literature, children’s literature, fantasy

Chris Eisenhart (Director of graduate programs) rhetorical criticism and theory, professional and political communication, discourse studies

Shari Evans (student advisement) multicultural literature and African-American literature, contemporary women writers, feminist and critical race theory

Karen Gulbrandsen technical communication, technology transfer, rhetoric of science and technology

Stanley Harrison rhetoric, professional writing, advanced computer applications

Catherine Houser (Chairperson) literary nonfiction, creative writing (fiction), professional writing, stylistics

Joan Kellerman poetry, comedy, American satire, Beat Generation, Jack Kerouac, literature and psychology

Richard J Larschan medieval literature, 18th-century British literature, satire

James E Marlow 19th-century British literature, theory of fiction, semiotics, creative writing (fiction and drama)

William Nelles (director of the MAT program in English) narrative theory, medieval literature

Caitlin O’Neil composition, rhetoric, journalism, popular culture, fiction

Morgan Peters drama, creative writing, filmmaking, oral traditions

Jeannette E Riley contemporary women’s literature, literary theory with an emphasis on feminist theory, post-1945 American literature, feminist pedagogy, teaching with technology

Lulu C H Sun rhetoric and composition, English education, English romantic literature

Judy Schaaf medieval and Renaissance studies, 19th-century American literature, travel and nature writing

Robert P Waxler romanticism, Jewish studies, professional writing, communication theory

Charles W White III American literature, film

Patricia White (Administrator of the First-Year English program)

The English Department serves a diverse group of majors: a group that includes those who intend to go on to graduate study; those who intend to enter the teaching profession and those who plan careers in such areas as public relations, editorial work, journalism, technical and professional writing, creative writing, personnel work and the like. The department also serves many non-English majors: those students who elect English courses in order to gain some acquaintance with the rich cultural heritage that English, American and comparative literature provide; and those who, through advanced courses in writing, wish to improve their powers of communication.

In addition, the department provides a first year English program that includes introductory composition courses (ENL 101 and 102), testing and evaluation of the writing ability of incoming students, English-as-a-second language instruction and professional communications courses for students in business, technology, engineering and computer science programs.

English majors are offered a choice of two options: the literature and criticism option or the writing, rhetoric and communications option, each leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree.

These options reflect the department’s conviction that perceptive reading, effective writing and clear thinking are interconnected.

The English department also offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts degree in Professional Writing designed to give students a background in rhetorical and communication theories and the advanced skills necessary for professional jobs in business, government, media, teaching, industry or publishing, as well as continued academic studies.

The need for K-12 teachers in the areas of humanities is great in the region. English is a preferred major for future teachers. The English department participates in UMass Dartmouth’s programs to prepare teachers who are highly qualified, helping provide opportunities for students to receive both initial and professional licensure. Specifically, the department supports students who seek initial licensure as a Teacher of English (grades 5 through 8 or grades 8 through 12) through the Post-Baccalaureate Education Certificate and professional licensure as a Teacher of English (grades 5 through 8 or grades 8 through 12) through the MAT program. In order to plan to take appropriate prerequisite and enrichment courses, students should indicate their interest both to their english major advisor and to an advisor in UMass Dartmouth’s Department of Teaching and Learning.

Learning Outcomes

Literature and Criticism Option

Our course requirements for literature majors mandate exposure to the literature of several cultures and periods and some focus on the work of single authors or particular movements. Additionally, ENL 260 (Intermediate Composition) ensures a concentrated expository writing experience. Students must demonstrate proficiency in these skills:

read intelligently and perceptively in such genres as fiction, poetry, and drama, in works of literary criticism and literary history and in works dealing with the nature of language itself
analyze passages from a literary text as they relate to theme, character, symbolism, setting and style
know American and English literary history, including major figures, periods, movements, and a culturally diverse range of primary texts
appreciate the influences that classic, medieval and non-European literatures have exerted on the formation of literary culture in English
compare and contrast major literary movements in terms of each movement’s reader demographics and its political, economic and social context
compare and contrast major schools of literary criticism
to write effectively, to use a library efficiently, to deal critically with generalizations about historical periods and genres and to handle a variety of critical questions with some maturity
present a paper and conduct research using electronic and library resources.

Writing, Communications, and Rhetoric Option

In addition to the proficiencies listed under “Literature and Criticism,” Writing, Communication, and Rhetoric majors must be able to write effectively in at least three areas/genres: critical writing, essay, journalism, technical writing, business communications, fiction, poetry, playwriting, desktop publishing, Web publishing, screen writing, literary non-fiction. Students will demonstrate entry-level professionalism in writing and publishing. They must provide evidence of proficiency in these skills:

Planning

target and profile a specific audience or publication
identify and address the ethical, legal and cultural considerations for any writing situation
conduct primary and secondary research in electronic as well as traditional modes
observe principles of valid and reliable research design and asses sources for currency, dependability, and relative neutrality
evaluate evidence for sufficiency, balance and verifiability
interpret information by identifying the level of certainty and soundness of underlying assumptions, the influence of bias and the potential for alternative interpretations

Drafting and Designing

demonstrate a variety of rhetorical and narrative strategies
launch and sustain a logical, defensible argument
document evidence appropriately for the genre and audience
organize a document for the readers’ understanding
write clearly, concisely, fluently and emphatically
employ effective tone and diction for the audience and genre
design a document appropriately for the audience and situation
apply principles of visual rhetoric

Reviewing, Editing, and Revising

engage in peer review and editing for worthwhile content, sensible organization, readable style and accessible design
test documents for usability based on the nature of the task (learning versus performing), users’ abilities and limitations and constraints of the setting
develop the requisite interpersonal skills for working collaboratively during all phases of the writing/publication process.