English and Communication

Chairperson: Viera, Ph.D. Professors: Dooley, Ph.D., Madigan, Ph.D., Mitchell, Ph.D., Pestino, Ph.D., Skinner-Linnenberg, Ph.D., Viera, Ph.D., and Wiltse, Ph.D.; Associate Professors: Denno, Ph.D., Islam, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor: Foran, Ph.D.; Lecturers: Capossere, M.A., Coon, Ph.D., Kroon, Ph.D., Mignacca, Ph.D., Nilsson, M.A., Payne, Ph.D., Yaxley, M.Ed.; Director of Communication and Media: Skinner-Linnenberg, Ph.D.; Director of College Writing: Foran, Ph.D.

The department of English and Communication prepares students with a broad understanding of the power of literary texts, and of the rhetorical and communication strategies employed at different historical moments and across a variety of media and cultural forms. Students also achieve specific skills and knowledge, depending on their interests and career intentions. While all English department students are educated in the history of English literature and in contemporary techniques of literary and cultural analysis, students electing the English major go on to in-depth study of British, American, and global literatures in English, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 21st century. Many of those students also pursue New York State teacher certification in either inclusive early childhood/childhood education or adolescence education, and our English education program provides excellent training in complement with the curriculum of the School of Education.

But many other English majors in the English program are not future teachers, and these graduates go on to successful careers in law, business, library science, publishing - anywhere that strong skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking and analysis, and problem solving and research are valued. Similarly, while all English students receive broad preparation in writing, critical thinking, and analysis, those electing the Communication and Media major pursue a rigorous course of study, ranging from classical rhetoric to modern media. Graduates of this program use their training in technical writing and graphic design, and their extensive fieldwork and project management experience, to pursue careers in advertising, public relations, and editing and publishing, among other fields. Additionally, some students in this program also receive teacher certification in inclusive early childhood/childhood education and elect careers in teaching.