English, Literature and Reading Department
William Marsh
Department Chairperson
Mission
Within the context of the college’s mission, the English Department seeks to provide an opportunity for students to understand that learning is a lifelong process which involves an individual’s life experiences, motivation, and readiness to learn. The department hopes that studying English, Reading, and Literature will enable people to become more independent, think clearly, make sounder decisions, develop self-esteem, and have greater control of their lives.
Our philosophy is that responsibility for education is a function of the college, the individual, and the community. The English Department believes that education should stimulate creative, productive participation; foster an awareness of diverse cultures; instill the abilities to read analytically, think critically, and write effectively; lead to change in attitude and behavior; encourage exploration and instill desire to seek further knowledge; and foster a commitment to improving the quality of life in the community. Furthermore, the department believes that all students should have the opportunity to attain the necessary academic and professional competence for productive citizenship and employment, and the knowledge of cultural histories and values represented in literature.