The English Department offers programs in Literature, Teacher Education, Professional Writing and Theater. Core courses in British and American literature form a basis for the literature program, but students also have the opportunity to study literature in translation, ancient to contemporary, from every corner of the globe. Courses in literature, writing, speech and theater allow students to develop writing and public speaking skills, powers of perception and analysis, critical thinking and judgment and creativity. The English major provides a solid foundation for a number
of careers that value critical thinking and writing and the articulate, well-read person.
Students planning to teach will have many fine models to emulate and will gain a solid grounding both in literature and in secondary school teaching methods. For practical teaching experience, students will be placed with some of the best high school teachers in the region, many of them graduates of our Bachelor’s or Master’s level programs.
Each semester, English majors have the opportunity to perform full-scale theatrical productions, produced and directed by our theater faculty and occasional guest directors. Summertime rehearsals allow students to be part of the collaborative community
and college series of events, the AmeriCulture Program, which takes place each fall.
Students with an interest in writing may join one of our writing courses—journalism, technical writing or creative writing—and may submit independent work to the Miller Hall Folio or to the campus newspaper, The Point. For those interested in argument, logic and rhetoric the college has a debate team. Members of the English Club can help put on a poetry slam, get together a group to see a play in Boston or Worcester, help someone learn to read, and start up a new publication.
Faculty
English Department faculty share a love of language and literature. Whether students are interested in medieval literature, Victorian novelists, folklore, beat poets, 21st century drama, or anything in-between, they will find someone to share their excitement and broaden their vision. The majority of full-time faculty hold doctorates and have earned distinctions in their fields, including awards and fellowships. They are published authors of novels, poetry, critical works, and magazine and newspaper feature articles. Some hold outside positions as editors, textbook consultants and officers of regional and national organizations. Our Theater faculty act and direct in Boston, New York and local communities.
Facilities
Historic Miller Hall, once a women’s dormitory, is home to the English Department offices. In the department’s Hammond computer classroom, students can share ideas and learn computing skills using networked computers; work done in the classroom
can easily be shared with faculty members and with classmates.
The Writing Center, also on the third floor of the Hammond Building, combines an extensive library and innovative computer writing program with a well-trained staff to help students develop their full potential as writers. Beneath the Holmes Dining Commons, Home Base provides rehearsal and instruction space for the department’s Theater program, while productions can be preformed in the Percival Hall and McKay Campus School auditoriums.
Internships
Every English major is given the opportunity to explore various
professions through a semester-long internship. Juniors and seniors in all program tracks—professional writing, literature,
theater and provisional certification—can earn from three to 12 semester hours of academic credit in internships. A faculty supervisor works closely with each student, ensuring
success.
Recent internship sites have included:
Atlantic Monthly
Concord Chamber of Commerce
Beacon Press
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
DeCordova Museum
Fitchburg Art Museum
Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts school systems
Results
Because the abilities and knowledge gained as an English major have such broad applications, career choices after graduation are almost unlimited. One recent graduate produces
a music program for New England Cable Television. Another is a reporter for the Concord Journal. Another is a pastor of a church in Washington, D.C., while yet another has his own arts publishing company in Oregon.
Recent graduates have gained employment in such diverse venues as:
GCC Technologies
Leominster High School
Video Guide
Gardner News
Montachusett Opportunity Council
City of Fitchburg
Fitchburg State College students have continued their studies
in graduate programs in English, Education, Library Science, Counseling and Guidance, and have been accepted to law school programs.
Contact
For more information about the English Department at Fitchburg State College, please contact the Admissions Office for open house and visit options.
