Program Website

The ability to read, write and understand the English language is invaluable. As an English major, you will enhance your creativity and flexibility, develop analytical and problem-solving skills and become a better writer. With this knowledge and training, you will build a foundation for a variety of careers and professions.

The largest and one of the strongest departments at Stetson University, the English Department challenges students and facilitates their success through the English major and minor and special initiatives such as the Sullivan Creative Writing and First-Year English programs. The Department also plays a vital role in other university programs including English-Secondary Education, Humanities, Honors, Journalism, and Women and Gender Studies.

From their First-Year English courses to Senior Projects, students enjoy small classes taught by faculty members who have won the university's top faculty awards more often than any other department. Majors and non-majors benefit from individual attention from their professors and talented classmates.

Stetson's English Department has nurtured a wide variety of successful careers in business, computers, education, journalism, law, public relations, publishing, and theology.

Faculty

The English Department faculty is first and foremost devoted to teaching. Its members reflect the diverse interests and talents of Stetson students. From medieval to contemporary literature, poetry to creative nonfiction, sonnets to detective fiction, and Shakespeare to Woolf, publishing scholars and creative writers bring their experience and excitement to the intimate classrooms of Flagler Hall.

Our faculty includes:

• Michael C. Barnes, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
• Shawnrece D. Campbell, Ph.D., Kent State University
• Joel B. Davis, Ph.D., University of Oregon
• Thomas J. Farrell, Ph.D., University of Michigan
• Karen L. Kaivola, Ph.D., University of Washington
• Jamil Khader, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
• Megan O'Neill, Ph.D., University of New Mexico
• John H. Pearson, Ph.D., Boston University
• Mary R. Pollock, Ph.D., University of Texas
• Mark Powell, M.F.A., University of South Carolina
• Lori J. Snook, Ph.D., University of Arizona
• Joseph P. Witek, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University
• Terri D. Witek, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

Special Features

Stetson's First-Year English courses provide students with the writing skills they need for academic success. All members of our faculty teach these courses and are well equipped to teach both analytical and argumentative writing.

Students interested in taking their writing a step further can enroll in our creative writing classes. Funded by the Tim Sullivan Endowment, these courses include fiction, poetry, dramatic writing, creative nonfiction, and advanced genre classes. The endowment also funds scholarships in creative writing, annual prize money, travel expenses for writing conferences, and visiting writers.

Course Information

A major or minor in English prepares students for a wide range of careers by enhancing their intellectual skills and encouraging the pursuit of individual interests. Designed to develop more effective reading, writing, critical thinking, and language skills, the English major offers a variety of course selections. Between the beginning of Introduction to Literary Studies and the culmination of your Senior Project, you may choose courses and seminars that satisfy your interests in individual authors, literary history, literary theory, special themes, creative writing, and professional writing.

Career Opportunities

A degree in English can help open the door to many career paths because it gives students an excellent foundation in such important skills as analysis and writing. Stetson students have taken English courses to prepare for business, education, law and veterinary school, as well as for graduate study in English.

Alumni Highlights

• Nicolette Corso, '98, attorney, Gray, Harris & Robinson P.A., Orlando
• Richard Hostler, '98, advertising & SEO copywriter, Brookstone
• Eve Abbott, '96, competitive intelligence analyst, Powell, Goldstein, Frazer and Murphy, P.A., the fifth largest law firm in Atlanta
• Jeff Weakley, '95, editor-in-chief, Florida Sportsman magazine
• David Finkle, '89, teacher in DeLand, author of novels and the "Mr. Fitz" comic strip published in the Daytona Beach News-Journal
• Rebecca Palmer, '91, partner, Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, one of Orlando's largest law firms
• P. Todd Davis, '88, founder and CEO of Patrick Davis Communications, Inc., a communications strategy firm with offices in Atlanta, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Sullivan Writing Scholarships

Department Awards

• Byron H. Gibson Award
• Alberta Lotspeich Gibson Outstanding Senior Award in English
• Mary Ruth Gibson Outstanding Junior Award in English
• Sullivan Creative Writing Award
• Colwell Award for Research
• Bill Taylor Creative Writing Award
• Diane Smith Gibson Renaissance Award
• Janet H. Taylor Award

Contact:
Thomas Farrell
386-822-7731
tjfarrel@stetson.edu

Full Time Faculty: 13

Degrees Offered:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Master of Arts

Our Graduates Attend:

• Princeton University
• University of Chicago
• University of Florida
• University of Michigan
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Texas