Welcome
Majors in the Department of English and World Languages share a love of language; they read while waiting for a scheduled appointment and write in a journal or commonplace book; they enjoy word games and puzzles and notice unusual uses of words or phrases and incorrect applications of grammar rules. They wish to visit places, observe characters, and absorb the language created in all kinds of texts. The Department of English and World Languages welcomes those who seek diversity, who understand the limits of their own worldviews and who seek ways to understand others. Language is a foundational human bond. We come to language and literature and linguistics and writing to wonder, to understand, to inspire, and to work. You are welcome here.
Our department’s mission is to educate citizens to use language effectively and to appreciate the history, diversity, and complexity of their culture. The department seeks to improve students' abilities to read and write, to listen attentively and to communicate, to think analytically and creatively, to appreciate the aesthetics of literature, and to value diverse cultures. Department faculty teach purposefully, leading investigations of writing, language, literature, and culture, work informed by research and scholarly activity, service to the University, and broad-based community involvement.
For information, contact Jeff Buchanan, Department Chair: jmbuchanan@ysu.edu
Academic Programs
The Department of English and World Languages offers:
- Bachelor of arts (BA) degrees in: Spanish, English, and Public and Professional Writing
- In collaboration with the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies, Bachelor of science (BS) degrees in: Spanish Education and Integrated Language Arts.
- Academic Minors in: Spanish, English Studies, British and American Literature, Public and Professional Writing, Linguistics, and Creative Writing.
- Masters of Arts (MA) degree in English.
- Graduate certificates in: Literature for Children and Young Adults, the Teaching of Writing, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and Public and Professional Writing.
- Coursework in American Sign Language, German, Latin, and Film Studies.
For information about our academic programs, contact the Department Chair or the following Program Coordinators:
- Corey Andrews (ceandrews@ysu.edu): English
- Diana Awad-Scrocco (dlawadscrocco@ysu.edu): Public and Professional Writing
- Chris Barzak (cmbarzak@ysu.edu): Creative Writing
- Stacy Graber (sgraber@ysu.edu): English Education (Integrated Language Arts)
- Diana Palardy (dqpalardy@ysu.edu): World Languages
- Nicole Pettitt (npettitt@ysu.edu): Linguistics and TESOL
- Luke Hardy (lhardy01@ysu.edu): Graduate Programs
Academic Activities
Students interested in French, Italian, or Spanish, including non-majors and non-minors, are invited to participate in the French, Italian, or Spanish Club. Club activities include regular meetings, conversation hours, organized dinners, and attendance at various events such as Opera Western Reserve and the Cleveland International Film Festival.
The Department strongly encourages all students to study abroad.
Chair
Jeffrey M. Buchanan, Ph.D., Chair
Professor
Corey E. Andrews, Ph.D., Professor
Diana Awad-Scrocco, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Kevin E. Ball, Ph.D., Professor
Christopher Barzak, M.F.A., Professor
Laura L. Beadling, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Jennifer Behney, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Philip Sean Brady, Ph.D., Professor
Maria Conti Maravillas, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Suzanne Diamond, Ph.D., Professor
Timothy Francisco, Ph.D., Professor
Jay L. Gordon, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Stacy Graber, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Lucas D. Hardy, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Alena Kirova, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Diana Q. Palardy, Ph.D., Professor
Nicole Pettitt, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Dolores V. Sisco, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Gina Villamizar, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Lecturer
Barbara Flinn, M.A., Lecturer
Jacklynn Mercer, M.A., Lecturer
Cynthia Vigliotti, M.A., Senior Lecturer