English, Philosophy, and Film Studies

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

Bachelor of Arts in English

-Literature and Cultural Studies
-Journalism and Writing
-Film Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Professional Multimedia Communications

Associate of Science in Professional Multimedia Communications

Licensure in Secondary Education (see also: Secondary Education)
Minors: English, Film Studies, Philosophy, Professional Multimedia Communications

Mission Statement

The Lyndon State College Department of English, Philosophy and Film Studies delivers a first-rate liberal arts education matching the range and depth available at much larger colleges and universities but with the focused, individual attention that defines Lyndon.

Program Goals

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
• provide students with critical reading and research skills
• train students in the kind of analytical, interpretive, and communicative skills that are valuable not only in graduate study, but also in any area of management and communications, from personnel to public relations
• develop and enhance students’ writing skills
• teach students how to learn by developing their interpretive, evaluative, analytical, and critical-thinking skills

Program Description

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 in 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: professional writing, creative writing, literature, philosophy, film, and cultural studies. With two 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, 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 Professional Multimedia 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, the department offers flexible program opportunities through a B.A. in English with a concentration in Literature and Cultural Studies.

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, Film Studies, and Philosophy provide additional opportunities for students to create individual programs in philosophy, literature, writing, film or cultural studies. The department also designs and implements the college’s First-Year Writing Program.

Our effort is to prepare all of our students—majors and non-majors—for the richness of a lifetime of reading, thinking, and writing, as well as to supply a firm and comprehensive liberal arts 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, online 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.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will develop an understanding of

• representation as both a manifestation and analysis of human experience in its extraordinary variety over space and time and
• the nature and the function of language to represent and to manipulate reality and meaning

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes

The department’s comprehensive assessment procedures are available on request and on the department’s web page at: http://campus.lyndonstate.edu/English/dept/assessment.htm. Outcomes for advanced juniors and seniors are assessed through a variety of defined vehicles, according to an established rubric, in advanced seminars and capstone courses (e.g.: ENG 4910, Thesis/Portfolio). Substantial written and oral work is assessed according to the defined outcomes and the evaluative rubric by individual faculty teaching the relevant courses.

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