Department of English, Philosophy, and Religious Studies
Chair: Fedirka
Director of Writing: Lanzendorfer
Director of Writing Center: Ferris
Professors: Diederich, Essinger, Stolick, Stulman, C. Tulley, R. Tulley
Associate Professors: Dusseau, Fedirka, Graves, Lanzendorfer
Assistant Professors: Bates, Ferris, Metcalfe, Sherman, Sutermeister
A Bachelor of Arts Degree is granted for completion of baccalaureate programs in the Department of English, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.
Baccalaureate Programs:
English - Creative Writing Emphasis
English - Literature Emphasis
English - Public and Professional Writing Emphasis
English - Teaching Emphasis
Philosophy
Religious Studies - Biblical Studies Emphasis
Religious Studies - Christian Studies Emphasis
Religious Studies - Comparative Religion Emphasis
Religious Studies - Individualized Studies Emphasis
Minors:
English
Philosophy
Philosophy/Applied Ethics
Religious Studies
Writing
Prerequisites
Some courses offered by the Department of English, Philosophy, and Religious Studies require that students complete other courses before they may enroll. These prerequisites are clearly stated with the description of each course. When a course has no stated prerequisite, the course will not require specific knowledge taught in any previous course. This does not mean that all courses without prerequisites are elementary, introductory courses. In general, courses with numbers in the 100s and 200s are the best courses for first-year students. Upper-level (300- and 400-level) courses are intended primarily for students who have taken at least one year of college work, including ENGL 106, ENGL 107, or ENGL 206. Other students may enroll with the instructor’s permission or on the basis of placement testing. A “C” or better in ENGL 106, ENGL 107, or ENGL 206 is required before students may take any 300- or 400-level course in the Department of English, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.
Travel Courses
From time to time, the Department of English, Philosophy, and Religious Studies organizes seminars in which students can earn college credit for travel experiences and related academic work.
Study of English
The study of English helps students become critical readers and thinkers who have strong writing ability, sensitivity to subtle meanings, and appreciation of aesthetic experiences. English majors may focus on literature, teaching, and/or writing and in doing so may prepare for careers in a number of fields, including teaching and professional writing. Because of the skills and intellectual flexibility it develops, the English major or minor is also valuable to students pursuing graduate studies in the liberal arts or in professional fields such as law, medicine, or business.
The University of Findlay offers an English major with emphases in these areas: creative writing, literature, public and professional writing as well as teaching English. The program also offers an English minor and a writing minor. The following courses may not be counted toward any of these emphases and programs: ENGL 104, ENGL 105, ENGL 106, ENGL 107, and ENGL 206.
Graduation Honors in English
Honors in English
Upon recommendation of the English faculty, this graduation honor is awarded to English majors who have earned an average of at least 3.7 in the English major and at least 3.5 in all courses, and who have demonstrated strong scholarly and/or creative ability in papers and projects. To apply, eligible students must submit a letter of interest to the chair of English as well as three letters of support from members of the English faculty before the end of the third week of the semester in which they plan to graduate.