English, Philosophy, and Film Studies

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David B. Beliles, Professor 
Chandler R. Gilman, Associate Professor
David M. Johnston, Assistant Professor
Andrea Luna, Associate Professor
Richard H. Moye, Professor
Elaine Razzano, Professor
Dan Williams, Assistant Professor

Bachelor of Arts in English 
Literature and Cultural Studies 
Journalism and Writing
Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
Culture and Society
Film Studies
Licensure in Secondary Education (see also Secondary Education)
Liberal Studies Concentrations (see also Liberal Studies)
Minors: English, Film Studies, Philosophy

Program Mission Statement

The Department of English, Philosophy, and Film Studies provides an ideal balance between the broad preparation of an interdisciplinary liberal arts education and the specific focus of specialized study in a chosen professional or academic field. At the core of the program for all majors is a thorough grounding creative and critical thinking, analytical reading, research, and writing; and the study of culture, providing the foundation for advanced study in the area of each student’s particular interest.

Students may pursue interests in a variety of “specialties”: journalism and professional writing, creative writing, literature, philosophy, film, and cultural studies. With three majors, several concentrations, and a variety of liberal studies concentrations and minors, the department provides flexible alternatives for majors to pursue their particular interests and to develop their skills and understanding.

The B.A. in English, Journalism and Writing concentration provides opportunities for students interested in the broad fields of print and electronic journalism, as well as creative and professional writing, while the major in Media Communications offers a more specialized focus in strategic communication in a variety of visual and textual media, both print and electronic.  For students interested in the interpretation, analysis, and understanding of culture and cultural media, there are several flexible program opportunities in Literature or Cultural Studies in English or in Culture and Society or Film Studies in Philosophy.

The department also offers a licensure program for literature students interested in teaching English in grades 7-12. Minors and Liberal Studies programs in English and in Philosophy provide additional opportunities for students to create individual programs in philosophy, literature, writing, film or cultural studies.

In addition to the three majors, the licensure program, and the minor and liberal studies programs, one of the department’s central roles is in designing and implementing the college’s First-Year Writing Program.

Our effort is to prepare all of our students—majors and nonmajors—for the richness of a lifetime of reading, thinking, and writing, as well as to supply a firm and comprehensive foundation for each student as he or she pursues either graduate study or a chosen career.

Many of our graduates have pursued careers in such fields as teaching, journalism, advertising, public relations, editing and publishing, “web” writing and publishing, non-profit fund raising, non-profit organization management, technical writing, creative writing, law, government, business management, library work, sales, marketing, banking, international service, and social service. Others have pursued graduate study in literature, philosophy, writing, business, and law.

Common Program Goals

In providing students with the essential foundation of a liberal arts education in all its various programs, the Department of English, Philosophy and Film Studies seeks:

• to provide students with a vital and substantive understanding of the study and analysis of culture through literature, writing, philosophy, and a variety of cultural media
• to provide students with critical reading and research skills
• to train students in the kind of analytical, interpretive, and communicative skills that are valuable not only in graduate study, but in any area of management and communications, from personnel to public relations
• to develop and enhance students’ writing skills
• as with any liberal arts discipline, to teach students how to learn by developing their critical thinking skills

Program Assessment

The department’s comprehensive assessment procedures are available on request and on the department’s web page at: www.lyndonstate.edu/english/dept/assessment.htm .

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