English/Communication/Philosophy
Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
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| English/Communication/Philosophy Undergraduate and Graduate Programs |
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Program Descriptions Literary Studies
Department-based Publications
Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
The Literary Review: An International Journal of Contemporary Writing |
Overview Students may fulfill major, core curriculum, and elective requirements in literature at FDU's Wroxton campus in England. English Major Concentrations The undergraduate English major provides two concentrations for students: Literary Studies and Writing. The Literary Studies curriculum combines traditional literary study with more recent theoretical approaches. Requirements include work in a range of literary periods, styles, themes, and authors in English, American, and world literatures. A required course in literary and commmunication theory grounds students in the latest theoretical approaches to questions of authorship, audience, cultural context, and role of literature in society, themes emphasized throughout the curriculum. Course offerings are designed to offer thorough preparation for students planning to teach English at the secondary level. The Writing option emphasizes skills and techniques of writing in a variety of forms and styles. The curriculum offers courses in creative writing (fiction, poetry) as well as in major forms of journalism, public relations, technical, and other types of business writing. Because of the option's flexibility, students may specialize in one type of writing or range widely. They may combine the department's offerings with a minor in one of the arts and sciences, education, or business management to prepare for various career possibilities or graduate work in writing, literature, business management, or the law. The program culminates in a senior independent writing project. Communication The Communication major prepares students for a wide-range of communications careers as well as for advanced academic work in the field. Course requirements in media studies, corporate communication, and writing, introduce students to major areas of study and practice, while requirements in literature provide an analytic grounding that puts communciation in the larger context of culture. Cognate courses in fine arts, sociology, psychology, marketing and management provide additional perspectives on communication issues and practices. The communication major culminates in an internship in a communication-related firm where students acquire real-world experience. Internships are available in broadcasting, advertising, public relations, broadcasting, corporate communication, journalism, and other fields. Many internships have resulted in employment opportunities after graduation. Philosophy Major and minor programs are available in Philosophy to offer students in-depth study of civilization's most important ideas, most significant thought systems, and most brilliant thinkers. The analytical skills developed through this study are applicable to further study and professional careers in many fields. MFA in Creative Writing The MFA is a low-residency program in which students work closely with mentors who are published authors through distance learning. They meet in person with faculty, visiting writers, and other students during two residencies held each year. Additionally, through the use of an international reading faculty, this global program allows students to receive guidance from the perspective of writers and poets throughout the world. The MFA degree is offered in three disciplines: Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Non-Fiction. There are no courses in the traditional sense, but rather writing modules and residencies. Four writing modules, approximately ten weeks long, will be offered each academic year, two in the spring and two in the fall. Students must complete eight modules and three residencies over the course of study. The residencies take place each year in August at the Florham-Madison campus and January at the Wroxton, England, campus. They offer individual conferences with mentors and readers, group workshops, readings, and instruction by distinguished visiting writers, student talks and readings, and other professional activities. MA Program in Corporate and Organizational Communication The MA Program, New Jersey's first program in this growing field, is designed to respond to the practical and specific learning needs of today's communication professionals. Its multidisciplinary requirements provide a theoretical framework for and enhance the technical and practical skills of current and future practitioners of corporate relations, human resource management, corporate writing and editing. An annual national conference on corporate communication is a highlight of the program's activities. Freshman Writing Program The Program's Freshman Writing Workshops are required of all incoming students to enhance the writing, research, and critical thinking skills they will apply throughout their education and careers. |
Department Faculty Geoffrey Weinman, Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, Department Chair: American literature, organizational communication John E. Becker, Ph.D. Yale University: American literature, literary theory, Bible as literature Mary Cross, Ph.D., Rutgers University: Corporate writing, American literature; women's literature, literary theory Hester Coan, Ph.D., Rutgers University: communication research, communication theory Walter Cummins, Ph.D., University of Iowa: 19th-20th century fiction studies, literary theory, fiction writing, corporate writing Kathryn Douglas, M.A., William Paterson University: writing, Milton Susan Gerson, M.A., Teacher's College, Columbia University: composition Michael B. Goodman, Ph.D., SUNY at Stony Brook: corporate communications, technical communication, contemporary American Literature, censorship Martin Green, Ph. D., Indiana University: medieval literature, literary theory, linguistics, mass media, print media history, new communications technology Harry Keyishian, Ph.D., New York University: Shakespeare, drama and film James Kuehl, Ph.D., Northwestern University: Philosophy Jennifer Lehr, Ph.D., Rutgers University: corporate communication; communication research; oral presentation Sylvia Skaggs McTague, Ph.D., Drew University: Romantic and Victorian literature, the short story, composition Gary Radford, Ph.D., Rutgers University: communication, literary theory Marilyn Rye, Ph.D., Rutgers University, Director of Freshman Writing. writing, native American writers, detective fiction Elise Salem, Ph.D., University of North Carolina: 16th-18th century British literature, world literature, contemporary Arab writers, Lebanese literature and culture, ethnic American literature Rene Steinke, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee: creative writing, contemporary literature William Zander, M.A., University of Missouri: creative writing (poetry), journalism |