Department of English

544 O’Dowd Hall (248) 370-2250
Fax: (248) 370-4429

Chairperson: Susan E. Hawkins

Distinguished professors emeriti: Jane D. Eberwein, Robert T. Eberwein

Professors emeriti: Joseph W. DeMent, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Daniel Fullmer, Nigel Hampton, James F. Hoyle, David W. Mascitelli, Donald E. Morse, Brian F. Murphy, Joan G. Rosen, William Schwab

Professors: Natalie Bell Cole, Brian A. Connery, Edward Haworth Hoeppner

Associate professors: Robert F. Anderson, Gladys Cardiff, Annette M. Gilson, Kevin T. Grimm, Susan E. Hawkins, Niels Herold, Jeffrey Insko, Nancy Joseph, Kathleen A. Pfeiffer

Assistant professors: Jeffrey Chapman, Kyle Edwards, Andrea Knutson, Kevin Laam, L. Bailey McDaniel, Joshua Yumibe

Special instructors: Linda McCloskey, Jimmy T. McClure, Rachel Smydra

Lecturers: Susan Beckwith, Matthew D. Ferguson, Heidi Kenaga, Charlene Meyers, Pamela T. Mitzelfeld, Dawn Newton, Doris Runey, Amy Spearman

Chief adviser: Robert F. Anderson

STEP adviser: Nancy Joseph

Cinema Studies Director: Kyle Edwards

Cinema Studies advisers: Kyle Edwards, Joshua Yumibe

The Department of English offers courses in British and American literature, introducing students to literary history, genre studies, critical theory and intensive study of major authors. Additionally, the department offers courses in film, introducing students to cinema history and theory, critical film studies, and film production. (For complete details concerning Cinema Studies, B.A. , click text.)

Courses in language, mythology and film broaden the field of literary inquiry in ways that associate imaginative writing with the other arts, with popular culture and with various academic disciplines. The department provides frequent opportunities for training in writing: creative writing courses, courses in advanced writing, and written assignments for literature courses.

By majoring in English, students can enhance appreciation of literary masterpieces, gain critical understanding of imaginative writing and develop sensitivity to the uses of language while developing skills in analysis, research and communication. Such knowledge enriches all aspects of life, while such skills prepare students for careers in law, business, publishing, medical professions, library science, journalism, government and education.

The English curriculum is flexible; by seeking regular departmental advice, English students can plan a program leading to many different professional and academic goals. The department encourages its students to balance their programs with such concentrations as American studies, environmental studies, film aesthetics and history, women’s studies and computer science, or minors in linguistics, journalism, theatre arts, general business, modern languages and other related fields. Majors from other university programs are welcome in English courses, many of which have no prerequisites. Evening students can complete the English major entirely through night courses.

For a description of each semester’s course offerings, students should consult the ‘‘Semester Course Descriptions,’’ available in pre-registration periods in the department office as well as through the department’s web site. Faculty advisers provide specific guidance and help students develop comprehensive educational plans. Students should consult their advisers regularly.

Listed are undergraduate programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English, a secondary education major in English (STEP), a modified major in English with a linguistics concentration, a major in Cinema Studies, as well as liberal arts minors in English in secondary teaching, and in Cinema Studies. In addition, the department offers a program leading to the Master of Arts degree in English; the program and course offerings are described in the online Oakland University Graduate Catalog.

Departmental honors and scholarships

Departmental honors may be awarded to graduating English majors for outstanding achievement in English.

The department awards three scholarships: the Doris J. Dressler Scholarship to an English major or humanities major (junior year or beyond) demonstrating academic promise and financial need: the Roger M. and Helen Kyes Scholarship to an outstanding major; and the Eva L. Otto Scholarship for an outstanding nontraditional student. Information is available in the department office. The deadline for applications will normally be April 1.

Course Offerings

Courses on the 100 level are directed to students seeking non-technical, liberally oriented courses to fulfill general education requirements or for use in minors and particular concentrations. Courses on the 200 level offer broad introductions to literary materials and approaches basic to the study of English. Reading is often extensive and the classes are conducted primarily through lecture. Courses on the 300 level offer more intensive investigations into particular areas of English studies. These courses, the core of the program for majors, are open to advanced students according to their special needs and their preparation in related disciplines. Courses on the 400 level apply theory and methods of literary history, criticism and research to writers and to problems presented by specific topics. They are designed for upper-class majors. Graduate courses on the 500 level are open to senior majors by permission of the instructor and the departmental chairperson.

Course prerequisites

Except where noted, 100- and 200-level courses have no prerequisites. Advanced courses (numbered 300 to 499) have a general prerequisite of writing proficiency, plus any special requirements listed with the course descriptions.