Department of English
ADMINISTRATOR
JOOLY M. PHILIP, Chair, Department of English
FACULTY
MICHAEL CRAIG GIBBS, Associate Professor of English, 2024—
BA, University of South Carolina-Aiken; MA, Winthrop University; PhD, University of South Carolina.
GRAHAM HILLARD, Instructor of English, 2007—
BA, Union University; MFA, New York University.
JOOLY M. PHILIP, Professor of English, 2004—
BA, Hofstra University; MA, Hofstra University; PhD, Texas Tech University.
ELENI REID, Assistant Professor of English, 2021—
BA, Trevecca Nazarene University; PhD, Baylor University.
SCHUY WEISHAAR, Instructor of English, 2015—
BA, Trevecca Nazarene University; MTS, Duke University; PhD, Middle Tennessee State University.
Department of English General Information
The Department of English offers a variety of course work leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in English or English Education, as well as an Associate of Arts in Creative Writing, a minor in English and a minor in Creative Writing. Through a series of three General Education courses in English, all Trevecca students receive instruction in writing and literature studies during their first two years. Tutoring and enrichment programs in basic writing and grammar are available by contacting the Director of Academic Services in the Center for Student Development. Introductory language courses in French, German, Spanish, and Russian provide students an opportunity to explore communication processes in other cultures.
Advanced programs of study in English may be effectively combined with a complimentary second major or minor in such areas as Secondary Education, Business Administration, Music, Psychology, or Religion for students interested in various career options.
As a capstone to the major, all English majors work with a faculty advisor to prepare either a scholarly paper or collection of creative writing which is presented in a public presentation. The creative writing option is available only to those majors who are creative writing minors or have received permission from the English faculty. Those who choose the creative writing option must submit a scholarly paper along with the creative writing collection.
Mission Statement
The English major seeks to prepare graduates who possess strong reading, writing, and thinking skills, along with a creative understanding of human relationships that will enable them to succeed in professional and personal lives of service to the community.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates with an English major (literature concentration) will be able to:
- Read written texts from various genres and periods with comprehension.
- Write clear scholarly papers which analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Interpret and evaluate literary works from various critical approaches.
- Demonstrate the knowledge necessary to gain admission into a graduate program.
- Communicate effectively both in oral and written form.
Graduates with an English major (creative writing concentration) will be able to:
- Produce compelling creative writing that displays a conversance with the technical elements of literary style: plot, characterization, tone, dialogue, imagery, etc.
- Read written texts from various genres and periods with comprehension.
- Write clear scholarly papers which analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Interpret and evaluate literary works from various critical approaches.
- Demonstrate the knowledge necessary to gain admission into a graduate program.
English Honors Program
The Honors Thesis Award in Literature in the Department of English is a competitive award that will result in a 35 page long research project produced in co-operation with a faculty mentor and culminating in an oral presentation and submission to a scholarly journal. Upon successful completion, the student will receive the greatest distinction the University can bestow at the departmental level.
To qualify for the application process, a student must have taken at least six English courses, achieved a 3.65 GPA in the major, and have at least a 3.0 GPA in general course work. All submissions being equal, special consideration for acceptance will be given to those projects which fulfill Trevecca’s and the English Department’s mission of the integration of faith and scholarship. Interested students should contact the Department of English for more information.