Taper Hall of Humanities 420
(213) 740-2808
Chair: Teresa McKenna, Ph.D.
Leo S. Bing Chair in English and American Literature: Paul Alkon, Ph.D.; Leo B. Braudy, Ph.D.; Jay Martin, Ph.D.
Bruce R. McElderry Professor: W. Ross Winterowd, Ph.D.
Florence R. Scott Professorship in English: Tania Modleski, Ph.D.
Professors: Charles B. Berryman, Ph.D.; T. Coraghessan Boyle, Ph.D.; Vincent Cheng, Ph.D.*; Joseph A. Dane, Ph.D.; Page duBois, Ph.D. (Classics); Donald C. Freeman, Ph.D.; Ronald Gottesman, Ph.D.; Peter J. Manning, Ph.D.*; Carol Muske-Dukes, M.F.A.*; David St. John, M.F.A.
Associate Professors: Joseph A. Boone, Ph.D.; William H. Brown, Jr., Ph.D.; Robert J. Dilligan, Ph.D.; David Eggenschwiler, Ph.D.*; Robert H. Grant, Ph.D.; Lawrence D. Green, Ph.D.; Thomas Gustafson, Ph.D.*; Richard S. Ide, Ph.D. (Vice Provost)*; Anthony Kemp, Ph.D.; Teresa McKenna, Ph.D.; Stephen Moore, Ph.D.; Hilary M. Schor, Ph.D.
Assistant Professors: Alice Gambrell, Ph.D.; Cristina Garcia, M.A.; Michelle Latiolais, M.F.A.; David Leiwei Li, Ph.D.; Margaret Russett, Ph.D.; Daniel Tiffany, Ph.D.
Emeritus Leo S. Bing Professors: Jackson I. Cope, Ph.D.; Donald J. Greene, Ph.D., D. Litt.
Emeritus Professors: Allan Casson, Ph.D.*; Harvey Goldstein, Ph.D.; Charles Metzger, Ph.D.; Max F. Schulz, Ph.D.; Virginia J. Tufte, Ph.D.*
*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.
The Department of English offers courses in several interrelated subject areas. Its undergraduate emphasis is on analyzing British and American poetry, fiction, drama and nonfictional prose in their cultural contexts. There is parallel course work in literary criticism (applied, historical and theoretical), and studies of the relationship between literature and culture (such as women in literature and ethnic American literature). The department complements its offerings in literary subjects with courses in the English language, ranging from such courses as modern theories of grammar to English for pre-law students. The department also has a strong program in writing, with courses in exposition, creative writing and writing for various professions.
To fulfill diverse student needs, the department offers five programs leading to the B.A. degree. The departmental major in English literature provides familiarity with each of the traditional areas of English studies. The area of emphasis in American literature involves an extensive study of American literary history. The area of emphasis in creative writing combines courses in English and American literature with workshops in the writing of fiction and poetry. The literature and language area of emphasis can prepare students for a broad range of professions; it also specifically prepares secondary school teachers and may satisfy the California state subject requirement for a teaching credential.
For especially well-qualified students, the department has an honors program, and for students majoring in other disciplines, an English minor program which offers three options for specialized study.
The Department of English is large, with over 500 majors and 34 full-time faculty members, five of whom hold named professorships. Yet, to enable full discussion in the classroom, courses for majors and minors are limited to 25 students, and there is individualized guidance outside of class. Instructors give heavy reading assignments and frequent writing assignments, helping students to become disciplined and imaginative readers and writers.
Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995