Considers the rewards and sufferings of English department heads. Offers advice aimed particularly at those who have newly been appointed as department chairs. Describes the major challenges faced by department chairs. Provides a list of "dos and don'ts" for new department heads. (HB)

Considers the ways by which English departments might begin the process of revitalization. Provides suggestions in eight areas of concern: record keeping, teaching, scheduling, advertising, handling workloads, revising the curriculum, funding, and hiring. (HB)

A middle ground, between picky concern for correctness and mushy libertarianism, must be found on which to base effective freshman composition courses. (JH)

Literature is basically a private, silent enterprise--which is not served by the social, talky processes of the classroom. (JH)

The voice of wisdom, embodied in the character of an Old Man, presumably holding impeccable teaching credentials and wielding a sterling teaching record, advises a youthful, idealistic, and not-so-wise graduate student on the ways of the System. Subjects range far and wide, and include dialogues on: (1) teaching college English, freshman…

Shows that pedantic methods of teaching English have alienated many people from the humanities; explores ways that English departments can find balances between such contrasting elements as reading and writing, elitist works and popular culture, and a liberal education and vocationalism. (GW)

Describes problems regarding faculty recruitment and promotion and tenure decisions faced by an English department with a major commitment to the teaching of composition. (GW)

Summarizes issues raised in speeches and group discussions at the Minnesota Conference on the Future of Doctoral Study in English and makes personal observations about the conference in general. (MM)

Argues against the present divisions of English and American literature and for the designation of literature in English, not out of a formalistic concern with language alone, but out of a consciousness of the social and political role of language and of the worldwide social and political role of English today. (NKA)

This journal, a publication of the National Council of Teachers of English Conference on English Leadership, publishes articles on topics of interest to those in positions of leadership in departments (elementary, secondary, or college) where English is taught. Articles in Volume 21, Number 1, August 1998 are: "Problem-Based Leadership: A…

Address delivered at the Association of Departments of English (ADE) Seminar, June 29-July 3, 1970, at San Fernando Valley State College, Los Angeles, California. (DS)

Argues for a renewed integration of the humanities to ensure that the white-collar working class will be literate in the broadest sense of the word. (AEA)

Maynard Mack, Emeritus Sterling Professor of English at Yale, discusses his pioneering work with the oral interpretation of literature in the graduate and undergraduate English classroom, making the point that such oral techniques need not be limited to the drama or speech departments. (Author/SJL)

In this memo, the Faculty Senate of the American University accuses the English Department faculty of teaching freshman composition courses that fail to prepare students for dealing with reading and writing assignments in other academic disciplines. (DD)

Examines undergraduate English programs through a survey of 108 American colleges and universities. Argues that the overwhelming emphasis on the study of literature gives students a narrow impression of the field, and that departments should offer, in addition, opportunities to study creative writing, languages and linguistics, and composition and…