English

Introduction

The English major engages students in reflective reading, creative inquiry, critical analysis, and effective expression. The study of literature, linguistics, writing, film, and visual media prepares graduates to pursue a variety of careers, including law, business, government, professional writing, publishing, and education. These studies also prepare students for graduate programs.

The Department of English offers three major emphases: literature, creative writing, and teacher preparation.

Two programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts in English. English: Literature Emphasis focuses on the study of literature in historical and cultural contexts and includes course work in English language and literature, literary and rhetorical theory, creative writing and composition, technical writing, film, and visual media. English: Creative Writing Emphasis focuses on writing in fiction, drama, poetry, and in nonfiction prose, and it is complemented by courses in language and literature. (For those interested in teaching English Language Arts at the secondary level, see the English Literature Emphasis major.)

The Department of English provides a dynamic intellectual environment and learning community. Faculty members introduce new genres, fields and methods of critical inquiry, and technologies to provide our students with the best possible education. The department offers small, student-centered classes, innovative pedagogy, and close faculty-student interaction. English faculty members have earned numerous awards for excellence in teaching, research, and writing; they are nationally and internationally recognized in creative and critical fields. Our students have amassed an enviable record of placement in graduate programs and professional positions.

Faculty

KATHRYN VULIĆ (2004) Chair and Associate Professor. AB, Ohio State University; MA, PhD, University of California, Berkeley.
KAVEH ASKARI (2007) Associate Professor. BA, New College of Florida; MA, PhD, University of Chicago.
BRUCE BEASLEY (1992) Professor. BA, Oberlin College; MFA, Columbia University; MA, PhD, University of Virginia.
NICOLE BROWN (2002) Associate Professor. BS, BA, Salve Regina University; MA, Carnegie Mellon University; PhD, Purdue University.
JEREMY CUSHMAN (2013) Assistant Professor. BA, Whitworth University; MA, University of Illinois at Chicago; PhD, Purdue University.
OLIVER DE LA PAZ (2005) Professor. BA, BS, Loyola Marymount University; MFA, Arizona State University.
KRISTIN DENHAM (2000) Professor. BA, Swarthmore College; MA, University of Arizona; PhD, University of Washington.
DAWN DIETRICH (1992) Associate Professor. BA, Eastern Michigan University; MA, PhD, University of Michigan.
MARC GEISLER (1992) Associate Professor and Associate Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences. BA, Bates College; MA, PhD, University of California-Irvine.
ALLISON GIFFEN (2001) Associate Professor. BA, Barnard College; MA, Yale University; PhD, Columbia University.
BRUCE GOEBEL (1996) Professor. BA, Eastern Washington University; MA, California State University, Fresno; PhD, The University of Iowa.
CAROL GUESS (1998) Professor. BA, Columbia University; MA, MFA, Indiana University.
NANCY J. JOHNSON (1994), Professor. BA, University of Washington; MA, PhD, Michigan State University.
KRISTIANA KAHAKAUWILA (2012) Assistant Professor, BA, Princeton University; MFA, University of Michigan.
LAURA LAFFRADO (1993) Professor. AB, Vassar College; MFA, University of Montana; MA, PhD, State University of New York-Buffalo.
CHRISTOPHER LOAR (2013) Assistant Professor. BA, University of Chicago; MA, University of California, Los Angeles; PhD, University of California, Los Angeles.
ANNE LOBECK (1990) Professor. BA, Whitman College; MA, PhD, University of Washington.
KATHLEEN LUNDEEN (1991) Professor. BA, MA, PhD, University of California-Santa Barbara.
WILLIAM LYNE (1995) Professor. BA, University of California, Los Angeles; MA, PhD, University of Virginia.
KELLY MAGEE (2008) Associate Professor. BA, Auburn University; MFA, Ohio State University.
KRISTIN MAHONEY (2007) Associate Professor. BA, New College of Florida; MA, PhD, University of Notre Dame.
MARY JANELL METZGER (1995) Professor. BA, University of Washington; MA, PhD, University of Iowa.
BRENDA MILLER (1999) Professor. BA, Humboldt State University; MFA, University of Montana; PhD, University of Utah.
SUZANNE PAOLA (1994) Professor. BA, Oberlin College; MFA, University of Virginia.
DONNA QUALLEY (1994) Professor. BA, University of Kentucky; MST, PhD, University of New Hampshire.
LYSA RIVERA (2007) Associate Professor. BA, University of California-Santa Cruz; MA, PhD, University of Washington.
KATHRYN TRUEBLOOD (2002) Professor. BA, University of California-Berkeley; MFA, University of Washington.
STEVEN VANDERSTAAY (1996) Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Professor. BA, MA, University of Washington; PhD, University of Iowa.
THERESA WARBURTON (2014) Assistant Professor. BA, Trinity College; AM, University of Chicago; PhD, SUNY-University at Buffalo.
CHRISTOPHER WISE (1996) Professor. BA, Northwestern College; MA, University of Oklahoma; PhD, University of California, Riverside.
GREG YOUMANS (2014) Assistant Professor. BA, University of California, Berkeley; PhD, University of California, Santa Cruz.
NING YU (1993) Professor. BA, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; MA, PhD, University of Connecticut.

Declaration Process

The department offers majors leading to both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees. Admission to these majors is by application to the appropriate advisor. Students are strongly urged to meet with a department advisor early in their careers at Western; students must declare their major at the start of their junior year. Though we cannot guarantee immediate enrollment in the major or access to any specific class, we matriculate students into the major on a rolling basis as space is available and offer a wide variety of topics each term.

Other Departmental Information

Mid-Program Checkpoint

Students seeking to complete a BA degree program in English, with an emphasis in literature, creative writing, or secondary education within a four-year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of their junior year:

ENG 101 and ENG 202

Graduate Study

For a concentration leading to the Master of Arts degree, see the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

Graduate

Endorsement

English Language Arts - Secondary, Additional Endorsement

Courses

English

Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400, 500 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog. For more information about the courses and sections to be offered this year and next, please consult the online Timetable of Classes and the English department’s Website, www.wwu.edu/depts/english for the English department course descriptions and information on majors and minors.

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