In the many conferences, workshops, and panels for writing instructors the role of director of freshman English has been routinely ignored. The typical director does not even have a job description. But directors should interpret this lack of specifics to mean that they are not administrators set apart from faculty, but are engaged with faculty in…

Outlines the duties of English department heads and what their areas of expertise ought to be. (Author/JM)

Proposes that English faculty and department heads often have a negative view of members of the administration. Describes how department heads can establish personal and departmental integrity and maintain it. Suggest that this is the best way to succeed in relations with administrative deans. (HB)

Discusses how department chairs can adapt psychological research about decision making to help carve out a central place for departments in the changing and increasingly international campus, presenting five areas to explore: alliances with units on campus, alliances with the college of education, training of graduate students, opportunity for…

Argues a different interpretation of the data presented in William E. Rivers' article (v2 n1); specifically, that more English departments prefer candidates with preparation in composition than Rivers concludes. Concludes that training in composition and rhetoric is more appropriate than training in literature for business and technical writing…

In individual essays, two American Council on Education Fellows present their views and observations on interaction between department chairs and deans. (PD)

Reviews the roles the department chairperson is expected to fill and offers a firstline defense against burnout. (PD)

This interview with a former Commissioner of Education for New York during 1969-1977 reflects on his stormy tenure and the state of American education policy making. (RL)

The writings of several philosophers are discussed concerning the issue of defining philosophy. The philosopher aims at the world, at knowledge and understanding rather than at self-expression. (JMF)

States that interdisciplinary studies have a long history in North American universities, but that those who teach in American and English literature departments have been accused of colonizing in the name of cultural studies. Distinguishes between interdisciplinary "tourism" and interdiscursivity. (PA)

Draws on Susan Miller's distinction between "feminist composition studies" and "feminine composition studies" to raise concerns about the perception, place, and role of composition studies in English departments. Examines the feminine metaphors used in composition theory and research. (TB)

Addresses budget issues in terms of "getting" and "spending." Notes that educators should not lay waste their powers in exchange for getting and spending. Notes that careful budget management is a necessary virtue, but it is not a sufficient virtue to win additional support. Suggests what to take to an annual budget hearing. (SG)

Suggests reasons that Robert Scholes is an ideal person to receive the Francis Andrew March Award. Discusses aspects of his career that are not automatically clear from his publications. Concentrates on his professional presence for over more than a third of a century. (SG)

Ten management problems for chairs of small departments in small colleges are discussed, along with problem-solving strategies for these administrators. Serious disagreements within a small and intimate department may create a country club culture in which differences are smoothed over and the personal idiosyncrasies of individual members are…

Considers the national curricular practices in college English departments, specifically with regard to "service" courses. Provides excerpts of data from the Modern Language Association's national survey of 92 English departments. (HB)