Department of English Mission Statement
Dedicated to the study and practice of the diverse uses of the English language in all its forms, the English Department devotes its energies and its teaching to English studies as understood in the richest sense, including: the heritage of literature written in English, the philosophy and practice of rhetoric and composition, creative writing, English education, linguistics, the methods and theories of teaching English as a second language (TESL), and, in general, the social, ethical, and psychological dimensions of language use.
To further this mission, the goals of the MA Graduate Program in English Studies are
- Students analyze discourse from a variety of theoretical perspectives, as they pertain to the appropriate fields of rhetoric/composition, linguistics, literary study, and/or creative writing.
- Students articulate connections between theories and practices
- Students demonstrate their understanding of theory and practice connections through teaching/tutoring/service learning in departmental or external programs
- Students develop an understanding of rhetorical situations including ability to respond to those situations through writing.
- Students develop awareness of international and/or diverse cultures through course content, readings, teaching and professional development opportunities.
- Students develop intercultural communicative competency through activities such as international or diverse cultural experiences within and outside course work, including teaching and professional development opportunities.
- Students develop an awareness of professional options available to them and the types of preparation necessary for succeeding in their chosen career.
- Students integrate critical, theoretical knowledge and reflective practice in a variety of forms and in a variety of contexts
- Students analyze and evaluate historical and contemporary research as it pertains to a particular discipline.
- Depending on emphasis area, students conduct a culminating scholarly or creative achievement of research project and report the results for an academic audience.
