ENGLISH

As part of a Christian liberal arts institution in the Reformed tradition, Trinity’s English Department takes seriously the cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28. It is our conviction, as stated in the college’s mission statement, that "those who teach and learn are called to be co-workers with Christ in subjecting all cultural activities to the reign of God." In our discipline, the implications of this calling are concentrated on language--a facility that sets human beings apart from all other creatures, an attribute in which we bear God’s own creative image, a gift that we have corrupted through sin, yet still, by grace, a powerful means of redemption.

We view reading and writing as important social practices that interact with other social practices under the influence of religious beliefs; and we believe that our discipline is therefore of fundamental importance to all Trinity students, regardless of major. Within our major and minor, we work to prepare students for graduate work in English and for entry into fields such as publishing, law, and education. As a department we marvel with our students at the beauty of the English language--its sounds and structures, its unique historical development, its rhetorical force, its poetic riches--and in our writing, both critical and creative, we seek to use this language in ways that will bring glory to the one who first shaped both it and us.

The English Education major is designed for future secondary school teachers. An English major or minor can be helpful preparation for other vocations as well. Business administration majors, pre-medical, pre-seminary, and pre-law students should consider the advantages of the discipline of English for their specializations. Students interested in communications (journalism, public relations, library work, etc.) need a strong background in English.

General education requirements in oral communication for the English department are folded into English 201, 211, 272, 274, 276, 303, and 312, all of which have an oral presentation as part of the course. The capstone requirement is met through the development of a portfolio of selections from each major student’s writing in the four years and participation in the Senior Seminar. The field education requirement is met through an internship, either directed teaching with the education department or one worked out by the student with assistance from the student’s adviser.

Students with a teaching major in English education will minor in education and follow the education minor course requirement as listed in the education department section of the catalog, plus education 310.

English Department in the News
• Annual Participation in St. Francis Conference
• English in the Neighborhood - Nov. 3 at 6:30pm
• Trinity Hosts 2nd Daniel Diephouse Graduate Conference - Photogallery

Alumna Update
Thought that paper you wrote for class was merely an exercise to fulfill course requirements? Not so!

Alumna Jill Buehler sends us this note:
“Hello, Professors. [Let me] thank you about the Christian Educators Journal. I was shocked to get a big packet from them with a letter and a copy of the journal. The article that I wrote for Dr. VanderWeele’s class last year was printed inside. I felt like a real writer! Thanks so much for submitting it and believing that it could get printed!”

Congratulations to Jill! Who will be next?