2008 Woodie Awards
New English hires could add stability to department
New tenure-track professors may offer more consistency in course offerings
By: Kaia Arthur
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: News
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The English department expects a return to stability in its ranks this semester after a hectic year of faculty replacements and the departure of former department chair Stephen Burt.
After two years in the position, Burt left last spring to pursue a career at Harvard University. While the department dealt with his impending resignation, it conducted an intense series of interviews that resulted in four new hires.
New professors Casey Jarrin-specializing in 20th century British and Irish literature- and Don Lee, a creative writing professor, received tenure-track positions, while Professors Marlon James and Michael Cohen have accepted temporary visiting posts this school year. While James will teach both creative writing and literature, Cohen will focus on American poetry and literature.
The department also selected Professor Daylanne English to serve as the chair when she returns from sabbatical in January. Theresa Krier will serve as acting chair until then.
While confident that the recent changes will improve the department's continuity with faculty and course offerings, some English majors said they feel that Burt's departure was chaotic and indicative of the department's unstable history.
Eva Kuhn '08, a creative writing English major, echoed this idea, saying Burt's departure placed students in an "annoying state of limbo."
Some English professors and students agreed that the department has a history of disruptive faculty changes. As a result, many students said they find it difficult to connect with their professors or establish a sense of familiarity in a department with constantly changing faculty.
"Each year we need about three or four visiting people," Krier said. The increased stability the new tenure-track hires will bring "has been coming for a long time," she said.
The department hires visiting professors to teach in both its core English courses, and its creative writing concentration.
Visitors cannot act as advisers or sponsor students' senior projects.
After two years in the position, Burt left last spring to pursue a career at Harvard University. While the department dealt with his impending resignation, it conducted an intense series of interviews that resulted in four new hires.
New professors Casey Jarrin-specializing in 20th century British and Irish literature- and Don Lee, a creative writing professor, received tenure-track positions, while Professors Marlon James and Michael Cohen have accepted temporary visiting posts this school year. While James will teach both creative writing and literature, Cohen will focus on American poetry and literature.
The department also selected Professor Daylanne English to serve as the chair when she returns from sabbatical in January. Theresa Krier will serve as acting chair until then.
While confident that the recent changes will improve the department's continuity with faculty and course offerings, some English majors said they feel that Burt's departure was chaotic and indicative of the department's unstable history.
Eva Kuhn '08, a creative writing English major, echoed this idea, saying Burt's departure placed students in an "annoying state of limbo."
Some English professors and students agreed that the department has a history of disruptive faculty changes. As a result, many students said they find it difficult to connect with their professors or establish a sense of familiarity in a department with constantly changing faculty.
"Each year we need about three or four visiting people," Krier said. The increased stability the new tenure-track hires will bring "has been coming for a long time," she said.
The department hires visiting professors to teach in both its core English courses, and its creative writing concentration.
Visitors cannot act as advisers or sponsor students' senior projects.
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