Program: English Minor - Clark University

English Overview

Undergraduate Program

The program is primarily designed to meet the needs and interests of English majors and minors, although the variety of courses we offer may appeal to other students as well. We assist students in developing skills in close reading, critical thinking and effective writing, and in acquiring knowledge and experience valuable to any vocation. Moreover, the program encourages the development of a sense of cultural history, sensitivity to literary values, and first-hand knowledge of important authors, works and periods of literature in English.

We advise English majors to take three historical surveys, one a yearlong sequence, early in their programs. Any student majoring only in English should also select—in consultation with his or her adviser—a suitable area of specialization drawing on courses, both inside and outside the English Department (see below).

Majors and minors should note that some courses fulfill more than one requirement. Requirements may also be fulfilled, through an arrangement with the Worcester Consortium of Higher Education, at Assumption College and the College of the Holy Cross. For those interested in studying abroad, majors and minors should contact the Office of Study Abroad Programs regarding our partner program at the University of East Anglia. In addition, the London Internship Program offers a variety of opportunities in fields such as theater and journalism.

For these and other aspects of the program, we strongly urge majors and minors to consult with their advisers.

The English Department is an active member of Clark’s Higgins School of the Humanities and encourages students to participate in the school’s events and opportunities.

For more information, please visit the English Department’s website.

Scholarly Research Program

Every year the American Antiquarian Society, a prestigious national research library of American culture located in Worcester, offers seminars in specialized topics in American Studies. Please consult with Professors Elliott or Neuman for more information.

Internship Opportunities

In cooperation with the University’s internship office, the English Department supports internships for juniors and seniors. Internships are available both in university offices and in venues beyond the campus—for example, newspapers, news departments of radio and television stations, periodical and book publishers, and communication departments. Please consult with the chair for further information.

Health Professions

In an effort to enhance students’ opportunities for entrance into medical, dental and veterinary schools, the Premedical and Predental Advisory Committee has a special arrangement with the English Department, allowing students to major in English while meeting the specific requirements of medical schools. If interested, please consult the chair.

Study Abroad

The English Department has a special arrangement with the University of East Anglia in England as well as with the London Internship Program. For information, please consult with the chair or Clark’s Office of Study Abroad Programs.

Writing Program

Writing courses, limited in size to ensure attention to each student, are listed as “Interdepartmental/Nondepartmental (IDND)” because the teaching of writing at Clark is considered the responsibility of the entire faculty, not of any one department. Verbal-expression courses are listed in various departments.

IDND018 Expository Writing/Workshop

Centered on student writing, this course teaches the writing process, emphasizing revision. Students write informal exercises and essays. Course required of some students. Staff/Offered every semester.

Minor Requirements

A minor provides a student majoring in another department with general background in English literature, as well as with skills in critical reading and writing. Ordinarily, the chair acts as adviser to minors. The minor in English requires at least six English courses, at the 100- to 200-level.

Each designation in parentheses in the descriptions below is used in course listings every semester in order to identify what requirements a course meets. Thus, if a course does not appear in the list below (for example, a new course), you can nonetheless readily see what requirements it meets through these designations.

1. One course in poetry (B-1)

2. One historical sequence (two courses) from the following: (A)

3. One seminar in criticism from the following (D):

4. At least two other English courses, one of which must be a 200-level seminar.

English Faculty

Program

Louis Bastien, Ph.D.

Eric De Barros, Ph.D.
James Elliott, Ph.D.
SunHee Kim Gertz, Ph.D.
Betsy P. Huang, Ph.D.
Esther Jones, Ph.D.
Lisa Kasmer, Ph.D.
Stephen M. Levin, Ph.D.
Meredith Neuman, Ph.D.
.

Adjunct

Michael Bamberg, Ph.D.

Gino DiIorio, M.F.A.

Robert Tobin, Ph.D.
Jaan Valsiner, Ph.D.

Department Instructors

Michael Carolan M.F.A.
Timothy Connolly M.A.
Cynthia Conti Ph.D.
Joan Houlihan M.A.

Trent Masiki M.A., M.F.A.
Ethan Myers M.A.

Rose Novak Ph.D.

Karen Osborn M.F.A.

Jessica Bane Robert M.F.A.
Vicki Stiefel M.A.
Lucilia Valerio Ph.D

Emeriti

John J. Conron, Ph.D.
Serena S. Hilsinger, Ph.D.
Fern Johnson, Ph.D., Research Professor

Virginia Mason Vaughan, Ph.D., Research Professor

Graduate Studies in English

SunHee Kim Gertz, Ph.D., Director

Writing Program

Karl Hartshorn M.A.
Robyn McLean M.F.A.
Ethan Myers M.A.
Jennifer Plante M.A. - Director
Jessica Bane Robert M.F.A.

English Minor

English Overview

Scholarly Research Program

Internship Opportunities

Health Professions

Study Abroad

Writing Program

IDND018 Expository Writing/Workshop

Minor Requirements

English Faculty

Program

Adjunct

Department Instructors

Emeriti

Graduate Studies in English

Writing Program

English Courses