English

About the program

The English major at Ferrum College includes study in both literature and communication and is designed to allow students flexibility in selecting courses to meet their own interests and needs. Requirements promote 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.

An English major also provides excellent preparation for graduate school in a number of fields such as law, religion, education and area studies. 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.

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:
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. These 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: Prepares students for careers in public relations and other business applications of the English major.

Chrysalis: College literary magazine; and The Iron Blade: College Newspaper.

The Appalachian Cluster: Combines English with folklore, history, and sociology in a one-semester, four-course learning community that focuses on modernization issues in Appalachia.

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. These unique 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
Public Relations Specialist
Copy Editor
Researcher
Screenwriter
Literary Agent
Novelist
Crossword Puzzle Maker
Greeting Card Writer
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; adjunct English instructor at Ferrum College.

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.

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English Faculty

John Bruton | No profile submitted
Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Arkansas
(540) 365-4321
jbruton@ferrum.edu

John Carey | No profile submitted
Instructor of English
M.A., Marshall University
(540) 365-4356
jcarey@ferrum.edu

Karen Duddy | No profile submitted
Instructor of English &
Coordinator of the Writing Center
M.A., Rutgers University
(540) 365-4350
kduddy@ferrum.edu

M.Katherine Grimes, Program Coordinator | No profile submitted
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro
(540) 365-4264
kgrimes@ferrum.edu

Tina Hanlon | No profile submitted
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., Ohio State University
(540) 365-4327
thanlon@ferrum.edu

Allison L. Harl | No profile submitted
Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Arkansas
Phone listing coming soon
aharl@ferrum.edu

Beth Harper | No profile submitted
Instructor of English
M.A., Hollins University
(540) 365-4384
bharper@ferrum.edu

Marcia Horn | No profile submitted
Professor of English
Ph.D., SUNY at Stony Brook
(540) 365-4328
mhorn@ferrum.edu

John Kitterman | No profile submitted
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Virginia
(540) 365-4326
jkitterman@ferrum.edu

Melvin L. Macklin | No profile submitted
Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Texas at Dallas
Phone listing coming soon
mmacklin@ferrum.edu

Lana Whited | No profile submitted
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

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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