Michigan State University

The Department of English at Michigan State University provides students with an excellent education in the liberal arts—one that strikes an ideal balance between creativity and critical inquiry. Undergraduate and graduate students, whether planning to enter professional or academic job markets after graduation, leave with skills allowing them to communicate, collaborate, and problem solve in a cultural landscape growing increasingly global.

Student–faculty interaction is at the center of our department. At present, more than 40 faculty members dedicate themselves to teaching excellence and outstanding scholarship. Faculty areas of specialization are wide-ranging and encompass literary periods and genres, language studies, critical theory, new media studies, cultural studies, and creative writing.

Our students develop exceptional writing skills. And, because they are exposed to a variety of learning experiences and faculty members who offer disparate perspectives, they acquire the know-how to confront large-scale issues and effect change around the world.


News

Full-length publications reveal diversity of research interests

Faculty members published full-length works in 2007 on subjects ranging from Asian-American culture (Sheng-mei Ma) to Renaissance literature and culture (Sandra Logan) to African cinema (Ken Harrow) to a horror movie (Bill Vincent) to the power of the metaphors of science (Judith Roof). These publications reveal the wide range of areas and interests explored by our nationally-recognized faculty members!

Home Page Content

Events

January 22-24: alumnus Kristen Clark Taylor visits the English Department.
Writer, journalist, former White House communications director, Taylor will speak to undergraduate majors and meet with faculty members and students.

April 4-5: Critical Institutions symposium: “Cities.”
Keynote lectures by Madhu Dubey (UIC) and David L. Pike (American U); papers by faculty members and graduate students. MSU Union.

April 16: poetry reading Heid Erdrich
/Native American poet (Ojibwe) Erdrich reads from her work.

College of Arts and Letters

Year of Arts and Culture

Spotlight

Mawby Vineyards in Sutton’s Bay

Graduate students Hilary Kowino and Kanchana Warnapala interviewed three prestigious alumni of the Department of English last autumn for the forthcoming edition of The Tattler (PDF), including Larry Mawby (B.A., 1972) of Mawby Vineyards in Sutton’s Bay (above). Also interviewed were Maureen Abood (M.A., 1990), a food writer specializing in Lebanese cuisine; and Tina Caputo (B.A. 1900), managing editor of Wines and Vines. The upcoming issue of The Tattler will focus on English majors who have pursued successful careers in food and wine.

 


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