Department of English

Peter Parolin, Department Chair
Sandra Clark, Assistant Department Chair
201 Hoyt Hall
Phone: (307) 766-6452, FAX: (307) 766-3189
Website: http://www.uwyo.edu/english

 

Professors:

SUSAN ARONSTEIN, B.A. Seattle Pacific University 1980; M.Sc. Edinburgh University 1984; Ph.D. Stanford University 1987; Professor of English 2006, 1987.

SUSAN C. FRYE, B.S. Smith College 1974; M.A. University of New Mexico 1981; Ph.D. Stanford University 1986; Professor of English 2001, 1986.

ALYSON HAGY, B.A. Williams College 1982; M.F.A. University of Michigan 1985; Professor of English 2008, 1996.

HARVEY HIX, B.A. Belmont College 1982; M.A. University of Texas, Austin 1985; Ph.D. 1987; Professor of English 2005.

CAROLINE McCRACKEN-FLESHER, M.A. University of Edinburgh 1980; M.A. Brown University 1986; Ph.D. 1989; Professor of English 2004, 1995, 1989.

CEDRIC D. REVERAND, II, B.A. Yale University 1963; M.A. Columbia University 1964; Ph.D. Cornell University 1972; Professor of English 1982, 1971.

DAVID ROMTVEDT, B.A. Reed College 1972; M.F.A. University of Iowa 1975; Professor of English 2008, 1995.

 

Associate Professors:

CAROLYN ANDERSON, B.A. Auckland University 1981; M.A. 1984; Ph.D. Stanford University 1992; Associate Professor of English 2001, 1993.

DUNCAN S. HARRIS, A.B. Stanford University 1965; M.A. Boston University 1966; Ph.D. Brandeis University 1973; Associate Professor of English 1977, 1970.

JEANNE E. HOLLAND, B.A. Auburn University 1978; M.A. 1981; Ph.D. State University of New York-Buffalo 1989; Associate Professor of English 1995, 1989.

BETH LOFFREDA, B.A. University of Virginia; M.A. Rutgers University; Ph.D. 1997; Associate Professor of English 2004, 1998.

CLIFFORD J. MARKS, A.B. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor 1983; M.A. State University of New York-Buffalo 1988; Ph.D. 1992; Associate Professor of English 2000, 1993.

ERIC W. NYE, B.A. St. Olaf College 1974; M.A. University of Chicago 1976; Ph.D. 1983; Associate Professor of English 1989, 1983.

PETER PAROLIN, B.A. University of British Columbia 1988; M.A. University of Pennsylvania 1991; Ph.D. 1997; Associate Professor of English 2003, 1997.

MARY SHERIDAN-RABIDEAU, B.A. University of Notre Dame; M.A. University of Illinois, Chicago 1994; Ph.D. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne 2000; Associate Professor of English 2007.

ROBERT TORRY, B.A. Hiram College 1972; Ph.D. State University of New York-Buffalo 1988; Associate Professor of English 1993, 1983.

 

Assistant Professors:

CRAIG A. ARNOLD, B.A. Yale University 1990; Ph.D. University of Utah 2001; Assistant Professor of English 2004.

MICHAEL KNIEVEL, B.A. Creighton University 1995; M.A. Creighton University 1997; Ph.D. Texas Tech University 2002; Assistant Professor of English 2002.

CASKEY RUSSELL, B.A. Western Washington University 1993; M.A. 1993; Ph.D. University of Oregon 2001; Assistant Professor of English 2004.

BRAD WATSON, B.A. Mississippi State University 1978; MFA University of Alabama 1985. Assistant Professor of English 2005.

 

Senior Lecturers:

SANDRA L. CLARK, B.A. University of Wyoming 1988; M.A. 1990; Senior Lecturer in English 2003, 1997.

MARGARET G. GARNER, B.A. University of Wyoming 1969; M.A. University of Utah 1972; Senior Lecturer in English 2005, 1998, 1986.

COLIN K. KEENEY, B.A. University of Wyoming 1982; M.A. 1988; Senior Lecturer in English 2003, 1997.

BRUCE A. RICHARDSON, B.A. University of California at Los Angeles 1972; M.A. 1978; Ph.D. 1983; Senior Lecturer in English 2004, 1993, 1984.

CHRISTINE STEBBINS, B.A. University of Wyoming 1992; M.A. 1993; Senior Lecturer in English 2008, 2000.

CAROLYN YOUNG, B.A. University of California-Santa Barbara 1963; M.A. University of Wyoming 1990; Senior Lecturer in English 1998, 1990.

 

Associate Lecturer:

JULIANNE COUCH, B.S., B.F.A. Emporia State University 1982; M.A. 1984; Associate Lecturer in English 2003.

 

Assistant Lecturers:

PAUL BERGSTRAESSER, B.A. Oberlin College 1989; M.A. Northern Michigan University 2000; Ph.D. University of Illinois, Chicago 2007; Assistant Lecturer in English 2007.

APRIL HEANEY, B.A. University of Wyoming 1998; M.A. 2000. Assistant Lecturer in English 2005.

SHELLY NORRIS, B.A. University of Wyoming 1992; M.F.A. University of Alaska, Fairbanks 1995; Assistant Lecturer in English 2007.

MARGARET VAN BAALEN-WOOD, B.A. University of Wyoming 1983; M.A. 2003. Assistant Lecturer in English 2004.

 
Study in the English department today embraces literature, creative and expository writing, and the nature and workings of language. Students in the department’s programs can learn to read with pleasure and understanding, to write with grace, clarity and force, and to think with greater penetration and breadth. With these accomplishments, students are prepared for lives and work in which their power to understand, read, write and communicate will serve themselves and others, some specifically in careers in writing or teaching, some in professions of law, medicine, administration or almost any other field.

English studies center on the reading of what people have said, sung or written about their lives, their desires and the whole experience of being human. Literature is a great inheritance, a tradition that reaches back through the centuries, but it is also continually growing and changing. New theories about literature, and new and rediscovered literature itself, renew the ancient functions of literature to reflect, support and enhance the lives of the men and women who read it.

Undergraduate Major

Requirements Hours
Lower-division surveys of literature in English
2425, 2430, 2435		 9
Shakespeare or Renaissance Literature
4110, 4120 or 4170		 3
4000-level courses in literature before 1900, in two different periods—4140, 4160, 4180, 4190, 4200, 4210, 4220, 4240, 4250, 4260, 4310, 4320,  4360, 4830 (exclusive of the Shakespeare/Renaissance requirement) 6
Emerging fields and approaches
3610, 3710, 4450, 4460, 4470, 4640, 5360, or 5870		 3
Senior Seminar
4990		 3
Electives
(At least 6 hours must be at the 4000- or 5000-level)		 12
Total hours 36
(Courses in professional writing count as electives.)

Concentration in Literary Studies: Students wishing to concentrate in literary studies, including students interested in pursuing graduate degrees in English, should attempt to take the following upper-division courses: a course in Chaucer or in Medieval literature; a Shakespeare course; another course in English literature before 1800 (exclusive of Chaucer and Shakespeare); a course in 19th-Century English literature; two courses in American literature; a course in literature after 1900; the Senior Seminar; a course in Emerging fields and approaches.

In addition, English majors must complete 12 semester hours of a single foreign language or demonstrate an equivalent competency. American Sign Language will not meet this requirement.

Within the framework above, each student should construct, with the help and approval of the adviser, a balanced and coherent program.

Only those courses in which a grade of C or better has been earned may count toward the 36 hours required for the B.A. (the B.S. is not offered) and the foreign language requirement.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing in English is required for all majors prior to taking the senior seminar (ENGL 4990). To be eligible for advanced standing in English, the student must have completed 24 hours of English coursework above Writing A, including the 3 required survey courses (2425, 2430, 2435). Each course must have been passed with a grade of C or better. Approved transfer courses from other institutions will satisfy the prerequisites for advanced standing. English 4990 should be taken in the next to last semester before graduation.

English Honors Program

Requires a 3.5 GPA and a senior honors paper and defense. See the English Department for information.

Graduate Program

The English department offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts degree. For details of the graduate program see the Graduate Bulletin, contact the English Department, or check the department Web site.

Minor in Literary Studies

To minor in literary studies, a student must complete the following sequence of courses:
-2000/3000-level surveys -9 hours- ( 2425, 2430, 2435, 3150, 3180 or 3380)
-4000-level literature courses (9 hours)

Alternatively, a student, in close consultation with an English Department adviser, may construct his or her own program. Only those courses in which a grade of C or better has been earned may count toward the Literary Studies minor. For more information, please come to the English Department office, 201 Hoyt Hall.

Minors in Writing

The writing minors are designed to be used with any major. English majors may choose to have a minor in creative or professional writing, but at least 12 credit hours in the minor must be from courses not counted toward the student's major. All courses counted toward the writing minors must be completed with grades of C or better. Students in either minor must consult with an adviser from the minor in designing their programs.

Minor in Creative Writing
The creative writing minor consists of six courses (18 hours) in creative writing or related courses. Three of these courses will be in creative writing (9 hours), one of which must be at the 4000 level; two of these courses will be literature courses (6 hours), one of which must be at the 4000 level; and a cognate course (3 hours). The cognate course is taken in another department which complements a student's particular interest in writing. This cognate course must be approved in advance by the director of creative writing. English majors may not take an English course as their cognate.

Minor in Professional Writing This minor is designed for students in any major who are considering careers in professional or technical writing (including teaching, publishing or editing, web authoring, public relations, and journalism) as well as for students who simply seek writing expertise beyond the General Education requirements. The minor will offer in-depth instruction in writing that will prepare them for the numerous careers in which effective written communication is highly valued.

To complete the 18 credits required for the minor, students take the foundations courses ( ENGL 2035 and 4000), at least two upper-division professional writing courses ( ENGL 4010, 4020, 4030, and/or 4050), and up to two additional elective courses approved by their adviser (0-6 credits).

Concentrations

The department is developing concentrations in particular areas. Contact the main office and/or Web site for current information.

Teacher Certification

Students seeking the B.A. in English may also be certified for public school teaching by completing additional requirements set forth by the College of Education.

Prerequisites

Most 2000-level courses require the completion of the WA requirement. Normally, 3000-4000-level courses have the prerequisites of 6 hours of 2000-level literature courses or consent of instructor. Students without certain prerequisites should consult the English Department for permission to enroll.

English (ENGL) Courses

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Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change: 05/14/08