English Department

Chippy McLain  Assistant Professor of English and Head, English Department B.A., Tennessee Technological University - English, 1995 M.A., Tennessee Technological University - English, 2000 Additional graduate work: University of Tennessee 423-585-6926 Chippy.McLain@ws.edu

The English Department offers an Associate of Arts degree in English, which is university parallel. The coursework transfers to senior colleges and universities for students who pursue baccalaureate degrees.

The purpose of the English discipline is to teach students to think critically, write effectively, and develop sensibilities to the literary tradition of the Western world through offerings in composition and literature. The discipline emphasizes language skills and the literary arts.

The English Department is committed to providing instruction which will prepare students who wish to continue their studies at four-year colleges or universities and other students who may be starting careers. Recognizing the wide spectrum of students who attend community colleges and their varying learning styles, the department strives to be flexible in its delivery of instruction. Courses are offered at a variety of locations (including branch campuses) and times (including week-ends) in an effort to accommodate students who frequently have demanding schedules outside of their academic work.

The English Department is also committed to the use of the latest technology in its instructional program. Several courses can be taken by Internet or through videostreaming. Furthermore, to insure that our graduates develop or polish the communication skills that employers are seeking in addition to their technical expertise, students have access to a Writing Lab, equipped with networked computers.

The English Department also demonstrates its commitment to good writing by sponsoring the annual publication of Gallery, an award-winning literary magazine, and the annual Creative Writing Competition for high school students, which culminates in another publication, Among These Hills.

Other innovative approaches for serving the students and the community include dual enrollment classes for advanced high school students, service learning projects linking college students with elementary school students, and courses for the Talented and Gifted Program serving fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders.

Courses offered include basic composition, creative writing, technical writing, surveys of American and Western world literature, children's literature, and folklore.