Major—English
The Department of English offers a major and a minor in English literature. The program operates in accord with the general purpose of Belmont Abbey College by providing an educational program within the liberal arts tradition. Through the study of literature, students develop a general, comprehensive understanding of civilization and their place in it. Such study addresses a wide range of culture, incorporating elements of history, politics, religious thought, philosophy, and psychology. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in English study the most significant literary works in the traditional periods of British and American literature, along with selected classical literary texts, and develop a working understanding of the theoretical principles which allow them to interpret these works. In addition to acquiring this knowledge and an appreciation of literary expression, English majors develop critical skills and the ability to organize information, form conclusions, and express them persuasively. A major in English prepares students for graduate study in such fields as law, linguistics, library science, education, composition, and literature. In addition, there is a demand for English majors to fill positions in editing, technical writing, advertising, communications, public relations, sales and marketing, and research and development. Career opportunities also exist for English majors in governmental and non-profit organizations.
The overall goal of the Department of English is to develop in students a life-long interest in and appreciation for language and literature. To achieve this general goal, the department has the following specific goals for students majoring in English: 1) To attain knowledge of the significant ideas and characteristic attributes of the major literary periods of British and American literature. 2) To read, become familiar with, and develop an appreciation for important literary texts of the major literary periods of British and American literature, along with selected classical literary texts (in translation) in the Western tradition. 3) To develop a working understanding of the theoretical principles which allow them to interpret literary works covered in the course of study noted above. 4) To develop the critical skills to engage in research, organize information, form conclusions, and express them persuasively in writing and speech.
B.A. in English
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must have completed and passed EN 101, EN 102, EN 201 and EN 202, and must have earned grade of “B-” or better.
In addition to the other Core Curriculum requirements, the following are specific core requirements:
- EN 202 English Literature (required)
- EN 201 World Literature (required as the second 200-level literature course)
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
- *EN 407 should be taken only in the senior year and in the last semester of course work, if possible.
Other Courses
- Foreign Language
- Humanities Division
- Five courses beyond core requirements; at least one (1) course in each of the three Division disciplines (history, philosophy and theology); at least nine (9) upper-level credits
- 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 15 hours
- EN 202 English Literature and EN 201 World Literature or EN 203 American Literature
- 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.
English – Faculty
Dr. Al Benthall, Visiting Assistant Professor of English
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dr. Svetlana Corwin, Assistant Professor of English
B.A./M.A. Herzen State University, M.A. Appalachian State Univeristy, Ph.D. Emory University
Mr. 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
Mr. Donoghue is a native of New York, where he began his work in theatre. During his 29 years as theatre director at the College, he has staged more than 150 productions both here and for theatres all over the Charlotte area. He is also a published playwright (working with BAC alumna Nancy Manera), and their work together has received several awards. Donoghue has also authored numerous performance pieces on his own, most recently a one man play about French botanist Andre Michaux.
Mr. Hugh Fisher, Visiting Lecturer of English
B.A. University of North Carolina-Wilmington, M.A. North Carolina State University
Dr. Martin Harris, Assistant Professor of English
B.A. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, M.A. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Ph.D. Indiana University Dr. Harris, a North Carolina native, joined the Abbey faculty in fall 2000.
Dr. Harris’s research interests include Restoration and 18th century British literature, popular culture, and film. He has published articles in the Journal of Popular Culture and the Journal of Popular Film and Television. He also was a community columnist for The Charlotte Observer for 2004 and continues to contribute book reviews to the Observer. Dr. Harris currently serves as faculty mentor for the Crusader newspaper and as the college's Faculty Athletics Representive. His interests include sports (especially basketball), music, reading, and writing.
Dr. Michael Hood, Associate Professor of English, Director of Great Books Program
B.A. Willamette University, M.A. University of Oregon, Ph.D. University of Oregon
Dr. Hood directs the Great Books program. His scholarly interests focus on the history of rhetoric, composition theory and practice, and the writing of short fiction. He plays the flute for services at Mulberry Presbyterian Church, and recently received a grant from the Belk Foundation to support the Parish Nurse ministry at the same church.
Lisa Marzano
Lecturer of English
B.S., Fontbonne College
M.S., Fontbonne College
MBA, Webster University
M.F.A., Spalding University
Dr. Angela Mitchell Miss, Assistant Professor of English
B.A. University of Georgia, M.A. University of Georgia, Ph.D. University of Georgia
Dr. Miss is responsible for freshman First-Year Composition and Writing Across the Curriculum
Dr. Rebecca Munro, Assistant Professor of English
B.A. Gonzaga University, M.A. Gonzaga University, Ph.D. Baylor University
Dr. Munro is faculty advisor to the student literary magazine, the Agora, and Director of the Catholic Studies Minor.
Fr. John Oetgen OSB, Professor Emeritus of English
B.A. St. Benedict's College, S.T.B. Belmont Abbey Seminary, J.C.L. Pontificium Athenaeum Lateranense
Br. Paul Shanley OSB, Lecturer in English
B.A. Belmont Abbey College, M.Ed. University of North Carolina-Charlotte, C.A.S. East Carolina 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
Dr. Weir’s area of specialization is Nineteenth Century British Literature, and she has a particular love for the Romantic poets.
Her current research interest is the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins.
