Department of English

Department Information

Department Chair: Jessica Tvordi
Braithwaite Center 300G ~ (435) 586-7954

Associate Chair: John Belk
Braithwaite Center 202C ~ (435) 865-8158

Administrative Assistant: Eben Thomas
Braithwaite Center 300F ~ (435) 865-8088

English Department Email: english@suu.edu

Student Success Advisors:

Last Names A-J
Madalyn Swanson, madalynfogg@suu.edu
ED 321 ~ (435) 586-5420

Last Names K-Z
Katie Evans, katieevans1@suu.edu
ED 325 ~ (435) 586-5420

Website: http://www.suu.edu/hss/english/

Faculty: Professors: James M. Aton, Bryce Christensen, Darrell Spencer;
Associate Professors: Kyle Bishop, Danielle Dubrasky, Wynne Summer, Jessica Tvordi;
Assistant Professors: Lisa Arter, John Belk, Julia Combs, Kelly Kathleen Ferguson, Nozomi Irei, Jodi Corser (NTT), Eric Morrow (NTT), Joy Sterrantino (NTT), Charla Strosser (NTT);
Lecturers: Chelsea Campbell, Natalie Johansen, Nathan Price, Jennifer Sorensen, Toanui Tawa, Laura Walker

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts

English - Literature Emphasis, B.A.
English - Teaching Emphasis, B.A.
English - Creative Writing Emphasis, B.A.
English Composite - Secondary Education/Creative Writing Emphasis, B.A.

Minor

English, Literature Emphasis
English, Secondary Education Emphasis
English, Creative Writing Emphasis
Film and Screen Studies

Licensure

Secondary Education Licensure

Certificates

Technical Writing Certificate ((The Technical Writing Certificate must be completed in conjunction with a B.S. or B.A. Students are encouraged to combine this Technical Writing Certificate with a major or minor in a scientific or technical field)

The department will also consider proposals from students who wish to use the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree.

Overview of Programs

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a choice of four emphases within the English degree: (1) Literature, (2) Teaching, (3) Creative Writing, and (4) Secondary Education/Creative Writing composite. To receive the Bachelor of Arts degree, students must complete 16 hours in one foreign language.

Mission

The English department provides a strong and diverse liberal education in literature and writing for majors, minors, and general education students. Our goals are to provide courses, instruction, advising, mentoring, and experiential opportunities for students in an atmosphere that encourages and supports learning, free inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, and clear and honest communication.

English Literature Program

The academic mission of the SUU English Department’s program in literature is to cultivate knowledge and appreciation of literature from a variety of perspectives and cultures. The department pursues these objectives through a comprehensive program of study, including both broad survey courses and specialized seminars. Instructors foster in students critical thinking, and effective writing, research, and oral communication skills.

English Secondary Education Program

The academic mission of the SUU English Department’s program in teaching is to prepare students for a career in secondary education. The department pursues these objectives through a comprehensive program of classes in literature, language arts, critical theory, and pedagogy. Instructors provide students with the pedagogical models and methodologies for a career in education related fields.

English Creative Writing Program

The academic mission of the SUU English Department’s program in creative writing is to develop skills in critical and creative thinking and in written and oral communication. The department pursues these objectives through courses focusing on craft, process, and the major traditions within fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Instructors engage students with a variety of writing experiences: classes, workshops, conferences, readings, internships, and collaborations with other arts and disciplines.

English Secondary Education/Creative Writing Program

The academic mission of the SUU English Department’s program in secondary education/ creative writing is to prepare students for a career in secondary education and to develop skills in critical and creative thinking and in written and oral communication. The department pursues these objectives through a comprehensive program of classes in literature, language arts, critical theory, and pedagogy, along with courses focusing on craft, process, and the major traditions within fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Instructors provide students with the pedagogical models and methodologies for a career in education related fields and engage students with a variety of writing experiences: classes, workshops, conferences, readings, internships, and collaborations with other arts and disciplines.

Film and Screen Studies Program

The academic mission of the SUU film and screen studies program is to teach students to apply a medium-specific method of analysis for interpreting cinematic texts, allowing them to participate in informed academic discussions of visual narratives as a sophisticated viewer/consumer of these texts in their regular, everyday lives.

Department/Program Learning Outcomes

English Literature Program

Students who successfully complete the graduation requirements for the BA degree in English: Literature will be able to

Identify, describe, and compare the literary features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures;
Evaluate how perspective and background inform the reading experience;
Articulate critical positions and interpretations through presentations and academic essays;
Conduct scholarly research, and
Apply a range of literary theories and critical perspectives through close reading and analysis;

English Secondary Education Program

Students who successfully complete the graduation requirements for the BA degree in English: Secondary Education will be able to

Identify, describe, and compare the literary features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures;
Create lesson plans specific to the study of literary analysis, writing, and language arts;
Apply and assess a range of pedagogical theories appropriate to various secondary-education settings and experiential learning opportunities;
Apply teaching practices, tutoring strategies, and classroom management skills in the context of national common core requirements of secondary education; and
Present a diverse approach to literature and language arts in the classroom and broader community.

English Creative Writing Program

Students who successfully complete the graduation requirements for the BA degree in English: Creative Writing will be able to

Identify, describe, and compare the literary features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures;
Write in a variety of genres, showing a critical awareness of tradition, aesthetics, prosody, and narrative techniques;
Revise to strengthen ideas, form, voice, and language;
Edit and proofread documents for grammar, syntax, common usage, and punctuation;
Use technology to produce, collaborate, edit, and distribute writing to a variety of audiences;
Produce focused, concrete, and constructive critiques of their own efforts and those of their colleagues;
Produce a polished and cohesive body of work through a capstone portfolio project; and
Create cover letters, queries, synopses, and other appropriate materials for professional submission of their creative work to agents, editors, and literary journals.

English Secondary Education/Creative Writing Program

Students who successfully complete the graduation requirements for the BA degree in English: Secondary Education will be able to

Identify, describe, and compare the literary features of a variety of genres across different historical periods and cultures;
Create lesson plans specific to the study of literary analysis, writing, creative writing, and language arts;
Apply and assess a range of pedagogical theories appropriate to various secondary-education settings and experiential learning opportunities;
Apply teaching practices, tutoring strategies, and classroom management skills in the context of national common core requirements of secondary education;
Present a diverse approach to literature and language arts in the classroom and broader community.
Write in a variety of genres, showing a critical awareness of tradition, aesthetics, prosody, and narrative techniques;
Revise to strengthen ideas, form, voice, and language;
Edit and proofread documents for grammar, syntax, common usage, and punctuation;
Use technology to produce, collaborate, edit, and distribute writing to a variety of audiences; and
Produce focused, concrete, and constructive critiques of their own efforts and those of their colleagues.

Film and Screen Studies Program

Students who successfully complete the graduation requirements for the minor in Film and Screen Studies will be able to

Identify, describe, and compare the structural features of film, television, and other visual narratives using medium-specific critical language;
Interpret cinematic texts, employing critical positions and scholarly research through both written and multimedia essays and presentations; and
Analyze cinematic texts and narratives from various cultures and historical periods to recognize and value different human perspectives and experiences.