English

About the program

The English Major at Ferrum College Provides excellent preparation for careers or graduate school in a number of fields such as law, religion, education and journalism. Students majoring in English may elect to take a group of additional courses - the Professional Communication Option - designed to enhance career opportunities in management, public relations, business, law, and many other professions.

The English major includes study in literature, writing and communication. It is designed to allow students flexibility in selecting courses to meet their own interests and needs. Coursework promotes understanding of the expressive capacities of language and appreciation for the psychological, cultural, and historical insights of literature. Students learn how to think critically and to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts.

Coursework in English

The curriculum incorporates a variety of topics to prepare students for opportunities in the field of English, and includes courses such as the following:
english

World Literature
American Literature
Shakespeare
Children's Literature
Contemporary Literature & Film
Creative Writing
British Literature
The Novel
Medieval Literature
African American Literature
Literary Criticism
Journalism Practicum

Related Clubs

There are over 50 clubs and organizations available to students at Ferrum College. The following are specifically related to English:

English Club
The Iron Blade (Student Newspaper)
Chrysalis (Art and Literary Magazine)
Student VA Education Association (for students desiring a career in teaching)

Experiential & hands-on learning opportunities

Internships: Students are strongly urged to explore career opportunities and to establish mentors through an internship.

Professional Communication Option: This option prepares students for careers in public relations and other business applications of the English major.

Chrysalis: College literary magazine

The Iron Blade: College Student Newspaper.

The Appalachian Cluster: This group of general education courses combines English with sociology and environmental science in a one-semester, three-course learning community that focuses on sustainability and modernization issues in Appalachia. Field trips and study of folklore enhance the experience.

E-term: Every May, the English program will offer one or more exciting new courses for the three-week E-term, using experiential learning opportunities to enhance the traditional study of literature and related subjects.

Special Interdisciplinary courses: The Holocaust Course and The African American Studies Course. Courses are coordinated by English faculty but include instruction by teachers from many disciplines. The courses are further enriched with films, special projects, guest speakers, and trips to important sites (the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., historical civil rights sites, etc.)

Academic Resource Center: Professors choose students who are offered paid positions in the ARC to help other students with their writing.

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What could I be with a major in English?

A major in English is excellent preparation for traditional careers such as teaching or journalism, as well as many other fields in which excellent writing and critical-thinking skills and creativity are needed. For example: english

You can become a(n) ...
Advertising Copywriter
Teacher
Public Relations Specialist
Copy Editor
Researcher
Screenwriter
Literary Agent
Novelist
Reporter
Poet
Genealogist
Critic

Recent graduates and their careers

Ferrum graduates credit their program of study for landing jobs in their fields, for example:

Crystal Shreves Naff ’91, insurance broker.

Kimberly Wagoner ’95, managing editor of the Franklin News-Post.

Cynthia Rhinehart Chase ’97, logistician for communication/surveillance items for the Navy.

Mike Emberson, ’97, advertising copywriter for Foot Levelers in Roanoke.

Misty Stinnette LaPrade, ’98, English and journalism teacher, Liberty High School.

Diane Hailey ’98, Communications Specialist for College of Health Sciences.

Robert Daski ’99, sports writer for The Lynchburg News & Advance.

Gretchen Hager Tipps ’00, page designer at The Roanoke Times.

Amanda Schulz ‘02, sports reporter at the New Bern (N.C.) Sun Journal.

Jessica Hylton ’05, director of public relations for the Museum of Natural History in Martinsville.

In addition, a member of Alumni including the follwing, are currently in graduate school:

Alyssa Walden

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English Faculty

John Bruton
Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities
Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Arkansas
(540) 365-4321
jbruton@ferrum.edu

John Carey
Instructor of English
M.A., Marshall University
(540) 365-4356
jcarey@ferrum.edu | View Profile

Karen Duddy
Instructor of English &
Coordinator of the Writing Center
M.A., Rutgers University
(540) 365-4350
kduddy@ferrum.edu

M. Katherine Grimes, Program Coordinator
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro
(540) 365-4264
kgrimes@ferrum.edu | View Profile

Tina Hanlon
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., Ohio State University
(540) 365-4327
thanlon@ferrum.edu | View Profile

Allison L. Harl
Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Arkansas
(540) 365-4325
aharl@ferrum.edu | View Profile

Beth Harper
Instructor of English
M.A., Hollins University
(540) 365-4384
bharper@ferrum.edu | View Profile

John Kitterman
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Virginia
(540) 365-4326
jkitterman@ferrum.edu

Melvin L. Macklin
Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Texas at Dallas
(540) 365-4334
mmacklin@ferrum.edu | View Profile

Lana A. Whited
Professor of English & Journalism
and Director of the Boone Honors Program
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro
(540) 365-4334
lwhited@ferrum.edu | View Profile

Faculty & Staff: submit your profile here.

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Find out more

The Iron Blade, Student newspaper
Experiential Term »
Honors Program »
International Programs »
Service Learning »
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