English

Return to: Academic Departments

Department Head: Phebe Jensen
Location: Ray B. West 201
Phone: (435) 797-2733
FAX: (435) 797-5545
E-mail: phebe.jensen@usu.edu
WWW: http://english.usu.edu/

Associate Department Head: Brian McCuskey
Location: Ray B. West 313
Phone: (435) 797-0262
FAX: (435) 797-5545
E-mail: brian.mccuskey@usu.edu
 

Director, Graduate Studies:
Jared Colton, Ray B. West 213, (435) 797-8412, jared.colton@usu.edu

Director, Composition Program:
Beth Buyserie, Ray B. West 301A, (435) 797-3546, beth.buyserie@usu.edu

Director, USU Writing Center:
Susan Andersen, Ray B. West 103B, (435) 797-2726, susan.andersen@usu.edu

Advisement, Undergraduate Studies:
CHaSS Advising Center, Old Main 106, (435) 797-3883, susie.parkinson@usu.edu

Advisor, Departmental Honors Program:
Kerin Holt, Ray B. West 204E, (435) 797-8946, kerin.holt@usu.edu

Chair, Creative Writing Emphasis:
Jennifer Sinor, Ray B. West 301C, (435) 797-3304, jennifer.sinor@usu.edu

Chair, English Teaching Emphasis:
Joyce Kinkead, Ray B. West 309, (435) 797-1706, joyce.kinkead@usu.edu
Sonia Manuel-Dupont, Ray B. West 413, (435) 797-1340, sonia.manuel-dupont@usu.edu

Chair, General English Emphasis:
Nathan Straight, Toole Campus 173, (435) 797-9922, nathan.straight@usu.edu

Chair, Techincal Communication and Rhetoric Emphasis:
Avery Edenfield, Ray B. West 204C, (435) 797-5791, avery.edenfield@usu.edu

Chair, American Studies Program:
Keri Holt, Ray B. West 204E, (435) 797-8946, kerin.holt@usu.edu

Chair, Folklore Minor:
Lynne McNeill, Ray B. West 305, (435) 797-0264, lynne.mcneill@usu.edu

Chair, Folklore Studies Master’s Program:
Afsane Rezaei, Ray B. West 207, (435) 7979-3858, a.rezaei@usu.edu

Chair, Creative Writing Master’s Specialization:
Ben Gunsberg, Ray B. West 302C, (435) 797-2731, ben.gunsberg@usu.edu

Chair, Literature, Culture, and Composition Master’s Specialization:
Adena Rivera-Dundas, Ray B. West 204A, adena.rivera-dundas@usu.edu

Chair, Technical Writing Master’s Program:
Avery Edenfield, Ray B. West 204C, (435) 797-5791, avery.edenfield@usu.edu

Chair, Technical Communication and Rhetoric Dectoral Program:
Avery Edenfield, Ray B. West 204C, (435) 797-5791, avery.edenfield@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Science (MS), and Master of Arts (MA) in English; BS and BA in American Studies; MS and MA in Folklore Studies; Master of Technical Communication; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Technical Communication & Rhetoric

Undergraduate emphases: BS, BA in English — Creative Writing, English Teaching, General English, Literature, and Technical Communication and Rhetoric.

Full details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes, and evidence of continuous improvement for these programs of study can be found at english.usu.edu/about/assessment/index.

Undergraduate Programs

General Objectives

The twenty-first century has seen significant shifts in everyday life, ranging from more technology and digital media to greater global dependence and interactions. To borrow a phrase from the novelist Anthony Trollope, “the way we live now” has changed dramatically; however, USU’s English degree is designed exactly for the way we live now. Drawing on the research done by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, USU knows that both educators and employers think that college graduates should have knowledge and skills in:

1. Inquiry and analysis
2. Critical and creative thinking
3. Written and oral communication
4. Information literacy
5. Intercultural knowledge and competence
6. Foundations and skills for lifelong learning

Therefore, USU’s English major prepares students for the way we live now by providing coursework that addresses these six areas of knowledge and skill. The words “explore” and “emphasis” sum up USU’s major. That is, the major has two parts: required exploratory courses and specialized courses within an emphasis area. The required exploratory courses give students experience in all six knowledge areas above—with a special focus on providing students with information literacy, intercultural knowledge, and a foundation for lifelong learning. The required area of emphasis allows students to choose one area to study in depth. The emphasis area also gives students experience in all six areas above—with a special focus on inquiry and analysis, critical and creative thinking, and written and oral communication. Students can take their emphasis coursework in Creative Writing, English Teaching, General English, Literature, or Technical Communication and Rhetoric.

The English Department offers a Folklore minor and an interdisciplinary American Studies major and minor. The American Studies Program, situated within the English Department, gives students the opportunity to explore American life and cultures from interdisciplinary perspectives while preparing them for careers in academic or professional fields. Students may pursue either an American Studies major or minor or a folklore minor. The English Department also offers an English Teaching Minor, and an English Minor (Standard Nonteaching).

The English Department also offers specific courses supporting other fields of specialization and fulfilling University Studies requirements.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

To remain in good standing and to obtain approval for graduation as English majors or minors, students must earn a grade of C or better in all English classes and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in their major and minor courses. All courses listed as major or minor subject courses must be taken on an A-B-C-D-F basis, and major or minor subject courses passed with less than a C grade must be repeated. Transfer students are required to complete at least 15 semester credits of major subject courses and 10 semester credits of minor subject courses in residence at USU.

Students in the English Teaching major and minor may also apply to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP). See pages for procedures and requirements pertaining to teacher licensure and admission requirements, or go online to: http://www.cehs.usu.edu/

Sample Four-year Plans

Sample semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward a bachelor’s degree are available in the USU Catalog.

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Program Assessment

For information about how the English Department assesses its programs, see the assessment page on the English Department website.

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program offers students in all colleges and majors the unique opportunity to deepen their educational experience with hands-on practical applications of their academic knowledge. The Honors Program admits incoming, transfer, and current USU students based on application. See the University Honors Program  catalog entry and website (honors.usu.edu) for more information.

Additional Information and Updates

English programs are constantly being updated. Students should, therefore, confer with the English advisor (contact CHaSS Advising, Old Main 106). 

Financial Support and Scholarships

Scholarships, assistantships, grants-in-aid, and work-study programs are available through the university. In addition, the English Department employs a few students as tutors in The Writing Center and oversees various cooperative education and internship opportunities for students. Departmental scholarships are available on a competitive basis to current USU students who have declared an English major. Applications for the next academic year are accepted in January and February through Awardspring (usu.awardspring.com).

Graduate Programs

The English department offers five graduate programs. For more information on the degrees, including how to apply and other details, please click on the name of the program below. 

PhD Program in Technical Communication and Rhetoric - PhD  

The Technical Communication and Rhetoric PhD program at USU prepares students to work as researchers and teachers at colleges and universities. In this program, you will take courses in rhetorical theory, cultural and empirical research methods, online pedagogy, and more. Our PhD students have the freedom to conduct research on topics that matter to them, such as climate change communication, professional communication in the Global South, and accessible document design for people with disabilities. Most graduates of the Technical Communication and Rhetoric PhD program go on to work as university professors. Our PhD program is known for addressing issues of social justice, community engagement, diversity, and service learning— education that prepares our students to be competitive in the academic job market.   

MA/MS in English (Creative Writing)   

The MA/MS in English with a specialization in creative writing allows students to do advanced work in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. Students accepted into the specialization complete workshops in these three genres and study scholarship about creative writing and literature. For their theses, students concentrate on one genre and work closely with faculty mentors who offer expert advice and guidance throughout the thesis-writing process. Hybrid theses that cross genre boundaries and include visual/ audio elements are also welcome.  Appearing as poems, stories, essays, and graphic novels, students’ theses address environmental issues, personal challenges, and historical controversies, among many other topics.  The aim of this specialization is to allow students time after their undergraduate work to hone their craft, continue their apprenticeship as a writer, complete a substantial body of work, and pursue publication.  

MA/MS in English (Literature, Culture, and Composition)   

Graduate students in the Literature, Culture, and Composition specialization (MA/MS in English) work in a tight-knit cohort to examine and analyze the ways in which literature, cultural expression, and rhetorical argumentation shape the world around us. Students take at least one course in each subfield: Literature, Culture, and Composition. In seminars organized around the faculty’s research specialties, graduate students discuss material as varied as Nordic mythology, the influence of reggae in contemporary world literature, or agency in the teaching of composition, as well as gain practice presenting at conferences and writing for publication. Over the course of the two-year program, students develop their own research agenda with the support of a committee composed of invested faculty members—faculty who help the student navigate the process of developing and conducting a graduate-level research project. This major project, along with graduate-level coursework, prepares students for career paths from academia to the private sector. 

MA/MS in American Studies and Folklore   

In the Folklore specialization of this program, you will study an interdisciplinary field located between literature and anthropology. A primary emphasis in folklore studies is on tradition and how it manifests in the contemporary world. A second emphasis is on vernacular practices that are generated by people informally–from stories, songs, and festivals to beliefs, conspiracy theories, and internet memes. You will document, analyze, and interpret artistic traditions and in doing so become highly skilled culture brokers and adept communicators. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with the Fife Folklore Archives, one of the largest repositories of American folklore in the United States, and the Digital Folklore Project which tracks digital folklore trends on an annual basis.  

Master of Technical Communication - MTC  

In the online Master of Technical Communication program at USU, you will study communication and writing that gets things done—in business, community activism, government, and other contexts. You will study social media technologies, editing, inclusive communication, and more. Our program works to cultivate graduate students who are socially aware and ethical writers, who can adapt to new technologies. This program is designed for working professionals, regardless of where you live.  Graduates of the Master of Technical Communication program work in a variety of careers, such as social media managers, technical editors, grant writers, and usability experts (who make technology or communication more user-friendly). Some of our students are middle school or high school teachers who want to bring professional and technical writing into their classrooms, and some graduates of the master’s program go on to earn a PhD and pursue careers in higher education.  

FACULTY - College of Humanities and Social Sciences  

Return to: Academic Departments