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Faculty

Chair

Jennifer Maher

Director of Writing & Rhetoric Division

Tanya Olson

Professor

Jessica Berman
A.B., Princeton University, 1983; M.A., University of Chicago, 1986; Ph.D., 1993

Raphael Falco
B.A., Columbia University, 1977; M.A., 1985; Ph.D., New York University, 1990

Jean Fernandez
B.A., University of Madras (India), 1976; M.A., 1978; M.Phil., 1987; Ph.D., University of Iowa, 2004

Lucille McCarthy
B.A., Stanford University, 1966; M.A.T., University of Chicago, 1968; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1985

Kathryn McKinley
B.Phil., Pennsylvania State University, 1980; M.A., University of Toronto, 1984; Ph.D., University of Delaware, 1992

Associate Professor

Lindsay DiCuirci
B.A., Cedarville University, 2004; M.A., Ohio State University, 2006; Ph.D., 2010

Jennifer Maher
B.A., Miami University, 1995; M.A., 1999; Ph.D., Iowa State University, 2006

Michele I. Osherow
B.A., Carnegie Mellon University, 1988; M.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1994; Ph.D., 2000

Jody Shipka
B.A., Loyola University Chicago, 1997; M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999; Ph.D., 2005

Orianne Smith
B.A., Bennington College, 1986; M.A., Loyola University Chicago, 1999; Ph.D., 2005

Assistant Professor

Earl Brooks
B.A., University of Kansas, 2010; M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2013; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2017

Keegan Finberg
B.A., Sarah Lawrence College, 2006; M.A., University of California, Santa Cruz, 2012; Ph.D., 2015

Drew Holladay
B.A., Union University, 2005; M.A., University of Louisville, 2009; Ph.D., 2017

Sharon Tran
B.A., Queens College, 2010; M.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2013; Ph.D., 2017

Emily Yoon
B.A., Johns Hopkins University, 2007; M.A., University of Texas at Dallas, 2009; Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park, 2018

Professor of the Practice

Deborah Rudacille
B.A., Loyola College, 1980; M.A., Johns Hopkins University, 1998

Principal Lecturer

Carol Fitzpatrick
B.A., University of North Carolina, 1973; M.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1974

Sally Shivnan
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1995; M.F.A., George Mason University, 1999

Senior Lecturer

Ryan Bloom
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2003; M.F.A., American University, 2006

Tanya Olson
B.A., St. Andrews Presbyterian College, 1989; M.A., University College Dublin (Ireland), 1992; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2001

Lecturer

Brian Dunnigan
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1999; M.A., American University, 2001

Elaine MacDougall
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1999; M.L.A., Johns Hopkins University, 2005

Anthony McGurrin
B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1974; M.A., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1975

Annie Nguyen
B.A., George Washington University, 2000; M.F.A., University of Montana, 2007

Nicole Pekarske
B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1994; M.F.A., University of Virginia, 1996; Ph.D., University of Missouri, 2003

Professors Emeriti

J. Leeds Barroll
A.B., Harvard University, 1950; M.A., Princeton University, 1955; Ph.D., 1956

Joan Korenman
B.A., Brandeis University, 1963; M.A., Harvard University, 1964; Ph.D., 1970

Associate Professors Emeriti

Kenneth Baldwin
B.A., University of Detroit, 1964; M.A., 1966; M.A., The Johns Hopkins University, 1968; Ph.D., 1970

William Edinger
B.A., Stanford University, 1963; M.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1964; Ph.D., 1969

Lawrence Lasher
B.A., Newark College of Rutgers University, 1959; M.A., University of Maryland, College Park, 1962; Ph.D., 1965

Professor of Practice Emeriti

Christopher Corbett
B.S., Northwestern University, 1973

Instructors Emeriti

Linda Benson
B.A., Oklahoma State University, 1970; M.A., 1972

Robin Farabaugh
B.A., Wellesley College, 1973; M.A., Cornell University, 1978; Ph.D., 1985

Michael Fallon
B.A., University of Baltimore, 1973; M.A., New Mexico State University, 1981

Gail Orgelfinger
B.A., The George Washington University, 1972; A.M., The University of Chicago, 1973; Ph.D., 1978

The program for English majors is designed to provide students with advanced skills in written and oral communication and in the interpretation of texts, as well as with a deepened critical appreciation of literature and other kinds of texts. Students in the Literature Track cultivate the skills of close reading, effective writing, and critical analysis. They study British, American, and anglophone world literatures in their historical contexts and choose from a wide assortment of seminars and elective courses on topics of special interest. Students in the Communication and Technology Track examine theories of communication and technology, hone expository writing skills, and develop a critical awareness of print, electronic, and multimodal texts. Both tracks prepare students for an exceptionally wide range of careers as well as for the demands of graduate study.

Career and Academic Paths

Many careers are open to English majors. In the Greater Baltimore region alone, UMBC English graduates have succeeded as government administrators, business executives, editors and publishers, technical writers, and journalists. Many English graduates teach at the primary, secondary and university levels. In addition, English graduates go into law, medicine, government, social work, public relations, advertising, law enforcement, foreign service, and new media design.

Undergraduate Academic Advising

Students who wish to major in English should declare the major by submitting the Declaration of Major form to the Office of the Registrar or English Department Office. Shortly afterward, students will receive a letter from the department assigning them a faculty advisor. Each semester, after the schedule of classes is published and before the advance registration period, students should make an appointment with their advisor to discuss their program for the upcoming semester and any other academic matters that may have arisen. Students should come to the advising appointment with a preliminary schedule already outlined. Students must have an advisor’s approval to register. Transfer students who are registering for the first time and have not been assigned to an advisor should visit the department office for further information. Please note that interaction with the advisor is an important part of each student’s academic program and that the advisor has the final responsibility for certifying that students have completed the requirements of the major program.

Graduate Advising

The English major provides excellent preparation for graduate study in literature, rhetoric, composition, and related fields, such as journalism, creative writing, and publication design. UMBC English majors frequently have gained admission to some of the most rigorous graduate programs in the nation. The English Department encourages its students to consider graduate study. Early in their major programs, interested students should consult with the departmental graduate school placement advisor or with other members of the faculty who can provide information about the variety of graduate programs available and specific admission requirements.

Minor Programs

Students completing one minor may not apply the same elective courses to satisfy requirements for another minor. However, required courses in one minor may be listed as electives in another minor program. This provision allows students to complete more than one minor program without having to take 36 total hours of classes. Students should consult with their English department advisors to identify the minor program(s) best suited to their interests and needs. With the advisor’s permission, up to six credits from the any English minor may be counted as part of the English major.

Special Topics

If students have special interest in a particular subject, they may be able to explore it through ENGL 400 - Special Projects in English (1-4). Students plan their own course of study and determine the number of credit hours (up to four) in consultation with a faculty member who will direct the project and award the grade. Students should discuss their project with the faculty member with whom they would like to work. Students should secure permission from the ENGL 400 course director to register for the agreed-upon number of credits. This course may be repeated for credit, but it may not count as a seminar.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

The English department offers special courses and designated sections (typically followed by E) of standard courses for students whose native language is not English.

• ENGL 107E - Grammar Lab I for ESL Students (1)  
• ENGL 108E - Grammar Lab II for ESL Students (1)  
• ENGL 109E - Grammar Lab III for ESL Students (1)  
• ENGL 110 - Composition for ESL Students (4)  
• ENGL 209 - American Literature for ESL Students (3)  
• ENGL 391E - Advanced Exposition and Argumentation for ESL Students (3)  
• ENGL 393E - Technical Communication for ESL Students (3)  

Honors Program

Participation in the English honors program enables students to complete a large-scale critical, research or creative-writing project. Honors students are chosen on the basis of their grades and their writing ability and should have at least a 3.5 GPA in the major and a 3.0 GPA in non-major courses or a strong faculty recommendation. Candidates for the honors program normally apply to the program director in the late fall of their junior year. With faculty consultation, students will choose their own research projects. Graduates of the program will be honored at commencement, and their honors status will be noted on their transcripts. Further details of the program are available in the English Department office.

Special Opportunities

The English Department has a program of internships (ENGL 398 - Journalism Internship (1-4) and ENGL 495 - Internship (1-4)) in which students may earn one to eight credits while gaining practical experience in communication and research skills in a real-life work situation. Students work six to eight hours per week for a newspaper, television or radio station, government agency or business. These opportunities are arranged by the English department in cooperation with the sponsoring agency.

Student Organizations

English Council of Majors is a student-run organization that hosts many literary and social events throughout the year, including poetry readings at local coffeehouses, writing workshops by prominent American poets, graduate school information meetings and faculty-student colloquia. English majors with an outstanding record of academic achievement are invited to join the UMBC chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honors society.

Members of Sigma Tau Delta are eligible for national scholarships, writing awards and publishing internships; the UMBC chapter works closely with the English Council of Majors in organizing literary activities. English majors gain publishing experience by working on Bartleby, UMBC’s literary magazine; The UMBC Review, a journal of student research; and The Retriever, UMBC’s school newspaper, which won first place with special merit in the 1995 Scholastic Press Association Annual College Newspaper Awards.

Programs

• English, B.A.

• Creative Writing Minor
• Critical Disability Studies
• Literature & Culture Minor
• Writing, Rhetoric, and Technology Minor

Courses

• ENGL 099 - Basic English (0)
• ENGL 100 - Composition (3)
• ENGL 100A - Composition (4)
• ENGL 100C - Composition (3)
• ENGL 100H - Composition (4)
• ENGL 100P - Composition (4)
• ENGL 100Y - Composition (4)
• ENGL 106 - The Grammars of Speaking and Writing (2)
• ENGL 107 - Grammar Lab I (1)
• ENGL 107E - Grammar Lab I for ESL Students (1)
• ENGL 108 - Grammar Lab II (1)
• ENGL 108E - Grammar Lab II for ESL Students (1)
• ENGL 109 - Grammar Lab III (1)
• ENGL 109E - Grammar Lab III for ESL Students (1)
• ENGL 110 - Composition for ESL Students (4)
• ENGL 110Y - Composition ESL Students (4)
• ENGL 190 - The World of Language I (3)
• ENGL 191 - The World of Language II (3)
• ENGL 200 - Language and Scientific Value (3)
• ENGL 202 - Language and Aesthetic Value (3)
• ENGL 203 - Creative Writing Study and Practice (3)
• ENGL 204 - Foundations of Literature & Culture (3)
• ENGL 205 - Debunking Myths about Good Writing (3)
• ENGL 206 - Introduction to World Literature and History (3)
• ENGL 209 - American Literature for ESL Students (3)
• ENGL 210 - Introduction to Literature (3)
• ENGL 218 - Remix Culture and Composing (3)
• ENGL 220 - Composing Disability (3)
• ENGL 222 - Introduction to Critical Disability Studies (3)
• ENGL 226 - Grammar and Usage of Standard English (3)
• ENGL 231 - Introduction to World Literature I (3)
• ENGL 232 - Introduction to World Literature II (3)
• ENGL 233 - Issues in World Literature (3)
• ENGL 240 - Writing for Social Change (3)
• ENGL 241 - Currents in British Literature (3)
• ENGL 243 - Currents in American Literature (3)
• ENGL 243H - Currents in American Literature (3)
• ENGL 250 - Introduction to Shakespeare (3)
• ENGL 250H - Introduction to Shakespeare - Honors (3)
• ENGL 260 - Black Literature to 1900 (3)
• ENGL 261 - Black Literature: Twentieth Century (3)
• ENGL 271 - Introduction to Creative Writing - Fiction (3)
• ENGL 272 - Introduction to Creative Writing-Scriptwriting (3)
• ENGL 273 - Introduction to Creative Writing - Poetry (3)
• ENGL 281 - Intermediate Exposition (4)
• ENGL 290 - Impromptu Writing (1)
• ENGL 291 - Introduction to Writing Creative Essays (3)
• ENGL 300 - Texts and Contexts (3)
• ENGL 301 - Analysis of Literary Language (3)
• ENGL 302 - Literary Methodologies and Research (3)
• ENGL 303 - The Art of the Essay (3)
• ENGL 304 - British Literature: Medieval and Renaissance (3)
• ENGL 305 - British Literature: Restoration to Romantic (3)
• ENGL 306 - British Literature: Victorian and Modern (3)
• ENGL 307 - American Literature: from New World Contact to the Civil War (3)
• ENGL 308 - American Literature: The Civil War to 1945 (3)
• ENGL 310 - Topics in Poetry (3)
• ENGL 312 - Topics in Fiction (3)
• ENGL 314 - Topics in Drama (3)
• ENGL 315 - Studies in World Literature (3)
• ENGL 316 - Literature and the Other Arts (3)
• ENGL 317 - Literature and the Sciences (3)
• ENGL 318 - Myth and Literature (3)
• ENGL 320 - Topics in Communication and Technology (3)
• ENGL 321 - Internship in Tutoring Writing (4)
• ENGL 323 - Advanced Skills in Tutoring Writing (3)
• ENGL 324 - Theories of Communication and Technology (3)
• ENGL 326 - The Structure of English (3)
• ENGL 330 - Researching Communicative Practices (3)
• ENGL 331 - Contemporary British Literature (3)
• ENGL 332 - Contemporary American Literature (3)
• ENGL 332H - Contemporary American Literature (3)
• ENGL 334 - Medieval Literature (3)
• ENGL 336 - Medieval and Early Modern Drama (3)
• ENGL 339 - Early Modern Literature (3)
• ENGL 340 - Major Literary Traditions and Movements (3)
• ENGL 342 - Principles and Practices of Visual Literacy (3)
• ENGL 343 - Introduction to Genre Analysis (3)
• ENGL 344 - Topics in Textual Studies (3)
• ENGL 345 - Topics in Literature and History (3)
• ENGL 346 - Literary Themes (3)
• ENGL 346H - Literary Themes - Honors (3)
• ENGL 347 - Contemporary Developments in Literature & Culture (3)
• ENGL 348 - Literature and Culture (3)
• ENGL 349 - The Bible and Literature (3)
• ENGL 350 - Major British and American Writers (3)
• ENGL 351 - Studies in Shakespeare (3)
• ENGL 353 - Rhetorical Theory (3)
• ENGL 355 - Communicative Practices and Play Theory (3)
• ENGL 360 - The Literature of Minorities (3)
• ENGL 361 - Studies in Black Drama (3)
• ENGL 362 - Studies in Black Poetry (3)
• ENGL 364 - Perspectives on Women in Literature (3)
• ENGL 366 - World Literature Written in English (3)
• ENGL 369 - Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Literature (3)
• ENGL 371 - Creative Writing-Fiction (3)
• ENGL 372 - Creative Writing: Scriptwriting (3)
• ENGL 373 - Creative Writing-Poetry (3)
• ENGL 375 - Topics in Creative Writing (3)
• ENGL 379 - Principles and Practices in Technical Communication (3)
• ENGL 380 - Introduction to News Writing (3)

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