Wright Joins English Department, Expands Film Courses
In August, Samford University's Department of English was proud to welcome Assistant Professor Geoffrey A. Wright, Ph.D.
Dr. Wright comes to Samford from the University of Tulsa, and his academic interests include American war literature and film, adaptation studies, science fiction films, the American novel, and Southern fiction and film. He's currently teaching Fiction and Film and Film History.
In the next year, Wright hopes to build on the foundation that has been laid for the Film Concentration within the English Major, advancing the program by developing and offering new and exciting courses--courses such as Sci-Fi Film, Hitchcock, and Film Adaptation.
Wright earned both his doctorate and master's from the University of Tulsa and wrote his dissertation on Geography in American War Prose and Film from WWII through the current Iraq War. A few of his favorite films include The Big Lebowski, Adaptation, Rear Window, 8 1/2, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
"I couldn't be more pleased with Samford," says Wright. "My colleagues in the English department are vivacious and engaging."
Wright and his wife Kelly are the parents of two children--Alexandra, 3, and Ethan, 1.
Bryan Johnson nominated for prestigious poetry award
Dr. Bryan Johnson, professor in the English department since 1999 and published poet, was named as a finalist for the Walt Whitman Award, a yearly award presented by the Academy of American Poets.
Johnson began writing poetry in graduate school at Mississippi State and earned his Ph.D. in creative writing at the University of Denver. At Samford Johnson teaches film and literary criticism as well as creative writing.
The Whitman winner will be announced in May, and will receive a first-book publication by Louisiana State University, as well as a cash prize and a one-month residency at Vermont Studio Center. Congratulations, Dr. Johnson!
Dr. J. Roderick Davis Wins ODK Advisor Award
Dr. J. Roderick Davis, English professor and former Dean of Howard College of Arts and Sciences, received the Omicron Delta Kappa Robert Bishop Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award. Davis has served as an advisor of the Samford cirlce of ODK since 1997, and has contributed to Samford's ODK and the wider Birmingham and Alabama community in many ways. Specifically, he has helped Samford's ODK in their efforts to foster diversity on campus, as well as in their work in Marion, Alabama, where the circle has created a leadership program for high school students.
Welcome to Samford's Department of English
What do the following the people share in common?
Steven Spielberg Paul Newman
Diane Sawyer Toni Morrison
Chevy Chase Kris Kristofferson
Stephen King Reese Witherspoon
Tommy Lee Jones Conan O'Brien
Alan Alda Paul Simon
Superman (Christopher Reeve)
Like the owner of this house, they followed the path to
THE ENGLISH MAJOR
The path to an English major leads to career opportunities that are much in demand in today's information society.
The Samford English Major
What do you do with an English major? The only answer to that much-asked question is our graduates. Our English majors each year go on to successful careers in publishing, teaching, business, the ministry, law, and medicine.
Awards and Opportunities through the English Major
The Department of English also offers a number of impressive awards, internships, and scholarships for its students, as well as personal guidance for career choices.
For students and alumni, we offer frequent travel opportunities, particularly to England.
The English Curriculum
Our curriculum contains the kind of skill-based courses that employers like to see, but centered in a diverse literature and language. English students have the opportunity to complete a senior thesis and a capstone course that culminates the major, and the English Department has been one of the campus leaders in supporting undergraduate research. Extra-curricular opportunities are plentiful--internships, campus publications, and Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honorary society.
As an English major, you will:
- be grounded in effective communication skills
- aquire disciplined skills in critical reading and writing
- explore career paths with personal advising
- gain a flexible liberal arts education that serves a variety
of occupations and professions
Explore our website and see what the Department of English can offer you. For alumni, browse back into the department's archives and let us hear from you.
Nancy Whitt, Chair
Sandra McDonald and Beth Moore, Administrative Assistants
For questions about the website, email Mark Baggett at jmbagget@samford.edu
Maintained by the Department of English. Last Updated Nov 28, 2007 08:50 AM.
