English and Communication

Chairperson: Viera, Ph.D. Professors: Madigan, Ph.D., Mitchell, Ph.D., Skinner-Linnenberg, Ph.D., Viera, Ph.D., and Wiltse, Ph.D.; Associate Professors: Foran, Ph.D., Islam, Ph.D.; Assistant Professors: Lagoe, Ph.D., Stacy, M.A.; Lecturers: Capossere, M.A., Coon, Ph.D., Couch, M.A., Grzecki, M.F.A., Mignacca, Ph.D., Naparsteck, M.A., Nilsson, M.A., Payne, Ph.D., Schroeder, M.S., M.A., Yaxley, M.Ed.; Director of Communication and Media: Lagoe, 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. English majors are educated in the history of English literature and in contemporary techniques of literary and cultural analysis, as they pursue in-depth study of British, American, and global literatures in English. 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 conjunction with the curriculum of the School of Education.

English program graduates commonly 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, students 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.