MAJOR - ENGLISH

Department Mission: The English program at Belmont Abbey College offers students a literary education in the Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts tradition, providing them with an understanding of the complexities of human nature and a comprehensive grasp of Western civilization. Through intensive study and analysis of key works of British and American Literature, students nourish their minds and spirits, develop a deep understanding of the human person, and prepare themselves for a lifetime of intellectual and spiritual growth that will benefit themselves and others.   

Departmental Goals: The overall goal of the Department of English is to help students develop a life-long appreciation of literature and their verbal skills in speech and writing. To achieve this end, the department has the following goals for students majoring in English: (1) to become familiar with the significant classical, medieval, and modern literary works; (2) to know the major works of the traditional periods of British and American Literature; (3) to develop a cogent understanding of the theoretical principles underlying various interpretations of these works; and (4) to master the critical skills to engage in research, organize information, form conclusions, and express them persuasively in writing and in speech.

B.A. in English (Traditional Students):
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must have completed and passed RH 101, RH 102, EN 211 and EN 212, and must have earned grade of “B-” or better.

In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:

• EN 211 - Classic Texts in the Western Tradition I
• EN 212 - Classic Texts in the Western Tradition II

Major Requirements (300 Level or above):

• EN 304 - Restoration and Eighteenth-Century British Literature
• EN 307 - Literature of the English Renaissance
• EN 311 - English Victorian Writers or EN 401 English Romantic Writers
• EN 406 - Nineteenth-Century American Literature or EN 412 Modern Literature
• EN 309 - Literary Criticism
• EN 410 - Shakespeare: Tragedies
• EN 407* Coordinating Seminar*
• EN xxx Upper-Level English Elective
• EN xxx Upper-Level English Elective
• EN xxx Upper-Level English Elective

* = should be taken only in the senior year and in the last semester of course work, if possible.

Other Courses:

• Foreign Language
• Humanities Division
• General elective hours

NOTE: Students must meet following conditions: 1) The last eighteen (18) credits taken to fulfill the requirements of the English major must be taken at Belmont Abbey College; students transferring from accredited institutions may transfer a maximum of nine (9) credits at the 300 and 400 levels; 2) The English Department Reading List should be obtained by all majors no later than the first semester of their junior year; each student should fulfill its requirements before taking the English Comprehensive Examination; 3) The English Comprehensive Examination for majors may be taken no earlier than the semester in which all course work will be completed.

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

Minor in English:

• EN 211 - Classic Texts in the Western Tradition I
• EN 212 - Classic Texts in the Western Tradition II
• Nine (9) hours from 300- or 400-level English courses

NOTE: At least nine (9) credits for the minor in English must be taken at Belmont Abbey College.

It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.

Full-time Faculty:

Dr. Al Benthall - Assistant Professor of English
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
M.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Svetlana Corwin - Assistant Professor of English
B.A., Herzen State University
M.A., Herzen State University
M.A., Appalachian State Univeristy
Ph.D., Emory University

Simon Donoghue - Associate Professor of English / Fine Arts; Director of the Abbey Players
B.A., University of Virginia
M.S.L.S., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Dr. Michael Hood - Associate Professor of English
B.A., Willamette University
M.A., University of Oregon
Ph.D., University of Oregon

Dr. Angela Mitchell Miss - Associate Professor of English
B.A., University of Georgia
M.A., University of Georgia
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Dr. Rebecca Munro - Assistant Professor of English and the faculty advisor to the student literary magazine, Agora
B.A., Gonzaga University
M.A., Gonzaga University
Ph.D., Baylor University

Dr. Joseph Pizza - Assistant Professor of English
BA, Rider University
MA, Ohio University
MSt., Oxford University

Dr. Mary Ellen Weir - Chair and Associate Professor of English
B.A., Sacred Heart College
M.A., University of North Carolina-Charlotte
Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Greensboro

Adjunct Faculty
Br. Paul Shanley
Mr. Andrew Achter
Dr. Kevin Bezner
Dr. Peter Larkin
Mr. Mike Farmer
Ms. Vickie Beam
Ms. Sheryl Smith
Ms. Sandra McVearry
Ms. Debra Windley
Mr. Jeremy Kuhn