Considers the importance of "teaching the past" in the English classroom, including older texts. Disagrees with the notion that teaching the past is in trouble. Discusses recent trends in literary studies, especially cultural studies, and their possible effect on teaching the past. Gives advice for making older texts appealing in the…

Describes how chairs of English departments can help their departments prosper in economic hard times. (SR)

Investigates how advertised university faculty positions in English were filled. Examines types of advertising and types of positions, as well as numbers of applicants. Finds consistency between the positions advertised and the positions filled. (PRA)

Outlines the benefits of the creative writing segment of English departments. Shows how learning to read carefully enriches the ability to write well. Argues for the value of creative writing for English departments. (HB)

Considers the role of the visiting writer in encouraging and supplying useful writing advice to student writers. Proposes some principles for the art of writing that writers offer composition students, especially related to the art of writing over its craft. (HB)

Provides responses by various scholars to two articles on teaching conflict and struggle and its relevance to the field of basic writing published in the December 1992 issue of "College English." (HB)

Outlines the controversies that began as the English Department at Louisiana State University tried to revise the departmental curriculum. Raises important questions for any department to consider as they undertake a similar revision. (HB)

Considers three of the primary ways that scholars of English studies have theorized the concept of culture as it relates to the English discipline, and analyzes why these positions have produced mostly ambiguity about the connection between English studies and the social project to acculturate students. Addresses what the role of classroom writing…

Suggests that parenting is still invisible in the academy. Discusses commonalities between parenting and teaching. Concludes that academicians must bring their parenting selves and their children into their work and their workplaces. (RS)

Considers how in the 1990s most English departments have altered curricula to accommodate the explosion of the canon, the emphasis on cultural studies, the arrival of new technology in writing and literature classrooms, and the varied learning styles of students. Discusses how many of these changes have been patches rather than substantial…

Discusses the tension that exists between different ways of being a college teacher in many small college departments within and between generations. Considers the amount of publications faculty members produce and how that correlates to their achievement of tenure. (SC)

Addresses (1) shared understandings regarding the extent and pattern of increased reliance on part-time and adjunct faculty; (2) elements of quality undergraduate instruction affected; and (3) institutional advantages and disadvantages of such reliance. Suggests general guidelines for rectifying inappropriate reliance on part-time and adjunct…

Offers basic principles for English department fundraising: know why people should give money to the department; identify several colleagues who can help represent the department to potential givers; involve alumni; work on getting grants while pursuing private gifts from donors; create a print representation of the department; and cultivate a…

Explores the mechanism of the endurance of the unequal division of the professional status and power within English studies--particularly the role of the writing program administrator (WPA) in sustaining composition's marginality. Suggests that the WPA position is the site at which radical, reformist theories can be redirected into pedagogic and…

Describes how the author survived for more than a quarter of a century as a minor university administrator by applying a "schizoid narrativizing strategy" to the art of running, and being run by, an academic department. Notes that established written departmental procedures are indispensable. Discusses briefly the state of the academic economy.…