English

By responding to literature, Coker students in English practice critical reading skills and develop their ability to write effectively and easily, synthesizing information and ideas into the written word.

This emphasis on the intellect provides English majors a solid foundation for graduate studies in medicine, library science, journalism, pharmacy, business, and law, among others. CEOs of major corporations rank communication and critical thinking skills at the top of their list for requirements for those they hire - English majors build those skills.

A major in English encompasses world, British and American literature (from Beowulf to Virginia Woolf and beyond) and features special courses on topics such as Women in Literature, Mythology and Literature, and Advanced Creative Writing. All students are encouraged to gain writing and editing experience by contributing to Coker's literary magazine, to the yearbook, The Milestone, and to the student newspaper, The Periscope.

Upon consultation with their advisors, students may select a special concentration in English education or professional writing, both of which require internships and additional course work.

English Education
Students seeking certification to teach English should consult The Coker College Teacher Education Bulletin and contact the chair of the Education Department as soon as possible after enrolling. Please see Education.

Professional Writing
This program incorporates internship experience and specialized writing courses to prepare students for careers in journalism, public relations, script writing, publishing, and advertising. Students may also elect to combine the English major with a minor or major in the subject they wish to write, such as history or biology.

Faculty

John Foster, III (1990)

Assistant Professor of English

B.A., M.Ed., Ph.D. candidate, University of South Carolina

 

John T. French (1969)

Professor of English

B.A., St. Vincent College; Universite Laval Quebec; State University of Iowa; M.A., John Hopkins University; Ph.D., McGill University

Before coming to Coker, Dr. French taught at the U.S. Naval Academy and the College of William and Mary. In addition to teaching creative writing, Dr. French specializes in American literature, especially Southern writers and Faulkner; modern poetry and fiction. Recently, Dr. French has pursued research on McCarthyism in the 1950's. He is currently revising a novel for future publication.

Lois R. Gibson (1978)
Professor of English
B.A., Hunter College; M.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Before moving to South Carolina, Dr. Gibson taught at colleges in Georgia, Oregon, New York, and Arkansas. Dr. Gibson's main research interests involve children's literature. She is active in the Children’s Literature Association and has published and presented papers on such topics as stereotypes in children's literature, Swiss picture books, and censorship in books for teenagers. She has also written biographical studies of children's authors for reference books. In addition to children's and adolescent literature, Dr. Gibson teaches composition, eighteenth and nineteenth century British literature, and English as a second language. She also advises all students seeking certification to teach high school English. Dr. Gibson particularly enjoys the challenge and stimulation of Coker's round table discussion classes.

Julia Klimek (2001)
Assistant Professor of English
B.A., Evergreen State College; Ph.D., University of California-Davis

Rhonda Knight (2002)
Assistant Professor of English
B.A., M.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham;Ph.D., Binghamton University

George P. Lellis (1978)
Professor of Communication and Chair of the Department of Communication, Language and Literature
B.A., Queens College (New York); M.A., Ph.D., University of Texas (Austin); Centre Universitaire Américain du Cinéma et de la Critique à Paris; New York University

David McCracken (1998)
Assistant Professor of English,  Director of the Writing Center
B.A., Belmont College, M.A., Ph.D,  Texas A&M University