English Department • Emory & Henry

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Engage with the world, realize your goals, and create a future for yourself.

The Emory & Henry English Department invites you to become part of our community of readers and writers, preparing to enter the professional world as teachers, publishers, librarians, lawyers, technical writers, authors, technical writers, and entrepreneurs.

Our community extends well beyond the classroom, into student organizations such as Frostiana Poetry Society and Ampersand, college’s literary magazine. We also come together for several events throughout the year. Special events include our fall Literary Festival celebrating a writer with roots in Appalachia, our mid-winter Burns Night dinner, and the spring Leidig Poetry Lectureship.

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts, Education- Interdisciplinary English, Elementary PK-3, Elementary and Middle School PK-6,6-8

To provide an introduction to courses in English language and literature as a foundation for a career in teaching and to enable students to meet Virginia requirements for licensure to teach grades PK-3, PK-6, 6-8 (depending on choices in professional studies). Note: Students pursuing licensure to teach with a major in Interdisciplinary English must notify the Neff Center immediately and are advised by a member of the Neff Center for Teacher Education in consultation with the Chair of the English Department.
Bachelor of Arts, English- Literature and Creative Writing

To provide depth and breadth in the study of literature; to develop skills in writing creatively; and to prepare students for advanced study in creative writing or for related careers.
Bachelor of Arts, English -Literature

To provide depth and breadth in the study of literature as a foundation for advanced study or for career objectives in literature, teaching, information services, mass communication, theatre, publishing, law, business, theology, and other fields.
Minor, English- Literature

A student may minor in English by completing 200; 250, 251, or 252; 255 or 256; and three 300-level electives chosen in consultation with the department chair.
Bachelor of Art, English- Pre-Professional English 1: Publishing

To prepare students for employment or graduate study in Publishing (specifically Administration, Editorial, Managing Editorial, Marketing, and Production), by combining an in-depth knowledge of English literature, advanced writing and proofreading skills, and the knowledge of related business and computer technology that are required to enter the field.
Bachelor of Art, English- Pre-Professional English 2: Library and Information Technology

To prepare students for employment or graduate study in Library and Information Technology, by combining an in-depth knowledge of English literature, advanced research and instructional skills, critical thinking, and computer-based skills that are required to enter the field.
Bachelor of Arts, English- Teacher Preparation (6-12)

To provide depth and breadth in literary studies as a foundation for a career in teaching and to enable students to meet Virginia requirements for licensure to teach English grades 6-12. Note: Students pursuing licensure to teach must notify the Neff Center immediately and must be assigned a second advisor in the Neff Center for Teacher Education.

Student Research

<h4 class="lw_blurbs_title">Border Voices: Cross-Border Identity in North-West Ulster</h4><div class="lw_blurbs_body"><p><picture class="lw_image lw_image612 lw_align_left"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.JPG 3x"/> <img width="611" height="402" alt="Jackson Feezell presents his research a the Ampersand Day showcase. " data-caption="Jackson Feezell presents his research a the Ampersand Day showcase. " src="/live/image/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.JPG" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.JPG 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/44/width/611/height/402/crop/1/src_region/422,230,2918,1873/612_Ampersand-Day-2017-D-IMG32.rev.1505854799.JPG 3x" data-max-w="2496" data-max-h="1643" loading="lazy"/> </picture> Jackson Feezell, ’17 showcased his work at the Ampersand Day Showcase. When you think of Ireland, perhaps you think of shamrocks, leprechauns, and Guinness. What you may not know is that the island of Ireland contains two separate countries: the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Until 1998, Northern Ireland was a war zone, as Catholics and Protestants fought each other for control of the North. Now that the violence has ended, Feezell presented his research and asked how individuals view the limits of their communities. </p></div>

Meet Our Alumni

<span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/702-jessica-daddio"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,666/352_c756fe0a8310d2eb4ac6320e5f487579_f1238.rev.1500385431.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,666/352_c756fe0a8310d2eb4ac6320e5f487579_f1238.rev.1500385431.webp 2x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,666/352_c756fe0a8310d2eb4ac6320e5f487579_f1238.rev.1500385431.jpg 2x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,666/352_c756fe0a8310d2eb4ac6320e5f487579_f1238.rev.1500385431.jpg" alt="Jessica Daddio" width="345" height="225" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,666/352_c756fe0a8310d2eb4ac6320e5f487579_f1238.rev.1500385431.jpg 2x" data-max-w="1000" data-max-h="666" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a></span><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_profiles_headline"><a href="/live/profiles/702-jessica-daddio"><p> Jessica Daddio, Class of 2013</p></a></h4><div class="lw_profiles_description"><p> Jessica Daddio has turned her sense of adventure into an exciting career. As travel editor for <em>Blue Ridge Outdoors</em> magazine, Daddio writes articles, shoots photos and produces videos covering travel and adventure opportunities throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.</p><p> Daddio’s current job seems like an extension of her experience at Emory & Henry, where she participated in the Outdoor Program, leading other students on hiking, kayaking and rock climbing excursions at nearby attractions such as the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the Appalachian Trail. She also studied abroad in the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil through the National Outdoor Leadership School. These travel and outdoor activities became a key focus of projects Daddio completed for her personalized interdisciplinary major in creative communications, which combined coursework in mass communications, photography and creative writing.</p><p> “I’m doing something I love—something that’s truly important to me,” says Daddio, who also received a double major in French literature. “Emory & Henry prepared me in every sense of the word. There was a supportive community of people who inspired me and encouraged me to chase my dreams and my passions, no matter how far-fetched they seemed. They inspired me to follow my passion and do something I love.”</p></div><a href="/live/profiles/702-jessica-daddio" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div>
<span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/profiles/690-chris-whitt"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,450,299/340_195154692a4a9ca21aec2fe00c319ccd_f7172.rev.1500309442.webp 1x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,450,299/340_195154692a4a9ca21aec2fe00c319ccd_f7172.rev.1500309442.jpg 1x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/2/width/345/height/225/crop/1/src_region/0,0,450,299/340_195154692a4a9ca21aec2fe00c319ccd_f7172.rev.1500309442.jpg" alt="Chris Whitt" width="345" height="225" data-max-w="450" data-max-h="299" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a></span><div class="lw_widget_text"><h4 class="lw_profiles_headline"><a href="/live/profiles/690-chris-whitt"><p> It’s all Emory & Henry’s Fault</p></a></h4><div class="lw_profiles_description"><p> “While I was a student, I participated in a teaching abroad program in Brazil that was offered by the college, and I fell in love with the Brazilian culture and people. So I decided to make it my home.” So for 7 years he ran a school that taught English as a second language, and in 2008 he opened his very own such business in Londrina, Brazil, called High School Language Center. Solving more than one need for the community, his school gives families a chance for constructive child care. “My school offers an alternative to a babysitter for families who think learning another language is important. The kids from ages 2 1/2 and up study 3 hours per day at my school. They have a lot of fun learning.” Look for his school online and you’ll find projects like mystery movies his students produce to practice their English.</p><p> Chris is just one of many alumni who are using their E&H degrees to solve problems. If you know a student who might like to use education to make the world a better place, check out the <a href="https://www.ehc.edu/ampersand/">Ampersand</a> project at Emory & Henry!</p></div><a href="/live/profiles/690-chris-whitt" class="link-with-arrow gold">Keep reading</a></div>