While our undergraduate and graduate degree programs are built upon a long tradition of study in literature and language, writing and reading, culture and interpretation, they are also focused on the future of our discipline and our students.
Traditionally, English studies have focused on the British and American literature and language. But contemporary English studies — like the English language itself — has a global reach. Our curriculum is shaped by the flow of English-speaking people and cultural production in English across both time and space, combining historical, linguistic and cultural analysis with creative work in literature, film, and emerging media. The varied interests of our faculty and students include creative writing, rhetoric and discourse studies, gender and women’s studies, film studies, digital humanities, and the full range of literatures and varieties of English, including African American, the African Diaspora, Latina/o, Asian American, and South Asian studies.
Through these wide and rich areas of inquiry, we impart key skills – thinking critically, analyzing complex texts and contexts, communicating persuasively, and appreciating the aesthetic and cultural value of literary and multimedia texts – that prepare our students for success in the workplace and in life.
Of course, a university education is about more than what happens in the classroom. We enrich our teaching and research by hosting lectures, symposia, and conferences that bring scholars, writers, and teachers from around the world to Texas A&M. We encourage English students to pursue research opportunities, to perform and publish their creative work, and to seek internships to build on what they are learning and to prepare for their future careers. And we make a positive impact at home and abroad through our internationally recognized faculty and through the success of our students in academia, industry, and the professions.
I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our department, our people, and our research and teaching. You’ll find that many of our events, such as Brazos Valley Reads, are open to the public. If you are a former student, I especially encourage you to stay in touch. We’d love to know what you are up to, and we’re eager to keep you posted about the great things that are happening in our department. You can also keep up with us on Facebook and via @TheEnglishAggie on Twitter.
Dr. Emily Johansen
Department Head
