English (ENG)

326 David M. French Hall
(810) 762-3285
Fax: (810) 237-6666
URL: http://www.umflint.edu/english/

Chair: Stephen D. Bernstein

Principal Secretary: Karen Woods

Professors Robert W. Barnett, Stephen D. Bernstein, Thomas Foster, Jan Furman, Frederic J. Svoboda, Jacqueline Zeff; Associate Professors Janice Bernsten, Mary Jo Kietzman; Assistant  Professors Anjili Babar, Jacob Blumner, Kazuko Hiramatsu, Alicia Kent, Suzanne Knight, Stephanie Roach, AnneMarie Toebosch; Full-Time Lecturers Cathy Akers- Jordan, Jim Anderson, Julie Colish, David Larsen, Maureen Thum, Janelle Wiess, Jan Worth-Nelson; Part-Time Lecturers Jill Bauer, Gerald Browning, Patricia Emenyonu, Hannah Furrow, Catherine O’Connor; Senior Instructional Associate Scott Russell.

Department Mission and Program Assessment

Because language is the chief means of human communication as well as an artistic medium, courses in English may focus on literature, composition, linguistics or English education. Despite this range, a common mission informs them. The Department of English exists to provide students with the instruction and the opportunity necessary to develop a critical understanding of how English has been used, how it can be used, and the logic of how it works. Emphasis on reading, writing, analysis, interpretation, and teaching –whether of literature, rhetoric, or linguistic structure –serves the goal of helping students examine historical, cultural, political, ethical, and aesthetic facets of the language in meaningful and productive ways.

Students often elect courses in English for the inherent reward. Many prepare to teach English, and others find it a useful preparation for occupations that do not require highly specialized training or in which there is a demand for ability in communication. The Department participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessmdnt plans, including goals, methods and outcomes, is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment/.

English Placement Exams

The English Department uses a reading test score and a Writing Placement Exam to place students into the appropriate freshman English class: ENG 100 (College Reading and Learning Strategies), 109 (College Writing Workshop), 111 (College Rhetoric), or 112 (Critical Writing and Reading).

Reading and writing placements are mandatory for (1) entering freshmen and (2) transfer students without prior credit for ENG 111 and 112 equivalents and adult returning students whose Writing Placement Exam score place  them into a course for which they have not received transfer credit.

Reading Placement Exam

Reading placement is based on ACT Reading score. Students without an ACT Reading score or students wishing to retest their original reading score should take the Reading Placement Exam in the advising office. Based on ACT Reading Score or Reading Placement Exam results, students may be required to take ENG 100 (College Reading and Learning Strategies).

Students required to take ENG 100 based on their ACT Reading or Reading Placement Exam score may take ENG 100 currently with ENG 109 (1-3 credits) and/or ENG 111. However, to insure the necessary reading strategies for success in ENG 112, students required to take ENG 100 must successfully complete ENG 100 before taking ENG 112.

Writing Placement Exam

The Writing Placement Exam consists of a two-hour timed essay written on a given topic. The Writing Placement Exam is required of all incoming first year and transfer students who have not yet completed their first year composition requirements. First year and transfer students who have not already completed the equivalent of ENG 111 and 112 at another university may not register for ENG 111 or 112 unless they have taken the Writing Placement Exam and can be appropriately placed on the basis of their scores.

Based on Writing Placement Exam results, students may be required to complete ENG 109 for three credits before taking ENG 111. Students may also be required to take and successfully complete one credit of ENG 109 concurrent with ENG 111 or 112.

Note that any student who wants additional individualized writing instruction can elect the one credit ENG 109.

Programs in English

Five concentration programs are offered, all leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree: the General Program in English , the Honors Program in English  , the Program in English with a Specialization in Writing , and the Teacher’s Certificate Program in English . Minors are available in American Literature , British Literature , Technical and Professional Writing , Writing , and Linguistics . (See the Catalog section on Linguistics .) A Teacher’s Certificate Program Minor in English  is also offered.