Describes a program in which a department chairperson gains released time for volunteers from a full-time faculty to serve as administrative associates. Discusses such a procedure at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. (AEA)

Offers suggestions for use in establishing undergraduate career guidance programs in English departments. (AEA)

Contends that rhetorical study is the key to the integration of reading and writing in the college English department and discusses problems created by pigeonholing literature by periods and genres. (DD)

Argues that a paradox exists in humanities departments when such departments, which are the custodians and beneficiaries of literacy, fail to concern themselves with reading, writing, and pedagogy. (DF)

Exposes the myth of the department chairperson as omnipotent. Demonstrates that by identifying the common interest of the myriad components of an English department, a chairperson can unify them into a successful, dynamic department by power of the faculty members themselves. (HTH)

Examines differences between a department chairperson and a department head, changes in the author's English department since he became department chairperson, ways a chairperson can gain departmental support for proposals, and problems and gratifications of being a department chairperson. (GT)

Addresses the question of what graduate students should know about fields of English in which they are not specializing. Finds the best answer is to teach "the classics." Illustrates with the example of a course on "The Faerie Queene" and "Paradise Lost," to show students how to work with texts and what can be…

Finds that, although literary theory is the language of expression in research-oriented universities that train Ph.D.s in English, most college English classes are still taught in the formalist way they have been for many years, suggesting a lack of communication between research and nonresearch institutions. (PA)

Gathers systematic national data in the English curriculum through surveys sent out by the Modern Language Association (MLA) to a stratified random sample of English programs. Summarizes two major sets of findings: those relating to courses offered during the 1989-91 period and those relating to the English major. (RS)

Contemplates how Northrop Frye, a serious man, displayed great confidence that there is a group of those who have seriously studied literature who know that this study is coherent and progressive and who have a sense of the unity of the subject. Suspects that many do not know or no longer know this sense unity of the subject and have to posit it…

Suggests that when applying for graduate school, students should begin with careful research, including talking with faculty members and counselors at their undergraduate institutions; then speak to faculty members and students at the schools under serious consideration. Discusses the degree program and the expectations. Considers employment and…

Considers how excessive reliance on an adjunct faculty can damage individual faculty members, students, institutions, and the profession. Urges college and university administrators to make new and concerted efforts to eliminate excessive and irresponsible adjunct faculty appointments, to improve employment conditions for essential adjunct faculty…

Examines the composition of the faculty and instructional staff in English, 1996-97 and examines the average percentage of undergraduate course sections taught. Analyzes the staffing of undergraduate courses in baccalaureate-, master's-, and doctorate-granting institutions. Considers the use of full-and part-time adjunct faculty members and the…

Presents guidelines that deal with digital media and the hiring, reappointment, tenure, and promotion processes. Notes that these guidelines are designed to help departments and faculty members implement effective evaluation procedures. Concludes when institutions seek work with digital media, and faculty members express interest in it, the…

Maintains that distance education initiatives should take into account the unique demands of teaching language and literature and should employ pedagogical strategies and technologies that ensure an appropriate educational environment. Outlines three principles in the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) statement that have…