English

The Department of English at Samford University cultivates knowledge of literary and cinematic traditions that have shaped modern societies.

Degrees

Faculty & Staff

News

Scholarships

Devoted to Student Success

The Department of English at Samford University cultivates knowledge of the literary and cinematic traditions that have shaped modern societies. Through the study of English language texts, we foster intellectual curiosity and autonomy in our students, equip them with the professional skills of interpretation, analysis, critical thinking, persuasive writing, speaking, information literacy and project management. We also provide hands-on experience through internships and opportunities to publish alongside our faculty in our literary journal, Wide Angle.

Our teaching emphasizes an appreciation for diverse perspectives on the world, instilling in our students the core values of empathy and tolerance. Our graduates embody a passion for lifelong learning founded on the conviction that inquiry is the soul of a civil society.

Thanks to the guidance of top-notch professors and the encouragement of fellow English students, I was able to take my education to the next level. My English degree also helped prepare me for success in the workplace by refining my abilities as a precise and creative communicator. —Brit Blalock, 2012 Pushcart Prize nominee, 2020 Women Who Shape the State honoree

Internships

Internships allow students to transfer and adapt the skills they’ve learned in the classroom into professional contexts that equip them for real-world settings after graduation including:

Assess various career paths
Prepare for future job searches
Practice critical thinking and communication skills
Adapt writing, editing, and research skills for a professional setting
Work as part of a team and experience a range of group dynamics
Demonstrate professionalism and recognize areas needing polish
Receive criticism and feedback on professional tasks
Network with potential employers
Develop contacts for future job searches

Recent Partners

1504 Narrative Studio
American Heart Association
Alabama Poverty Project, Blueprints College Access Initiative
Bassmasters
Birmingham City Schools
Birmingham Holocaust Educational Center
CBS 42 WIAT
Cobbs Allen
The Christian Family Publication, Inc.
Country Living, Hearst Publishing
Daxco
District Office of Congressman Gary Palmer
Ebsco Industries
Fit and Well magazine
The Freedom Center: Public Policy Institute
Good Grit magazine
Harrell and Harrell, LLC
Healthy Travel magazine
Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC
Hillsborough County Bar Association
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
John Maxwell Company
Lincoln Archives at the National Library and the Library of Congress
Longfellow House
Noble Education Initiative
Over the Mountain Journal
Oxmoor House Books
Petway, French, & Ford LLP
Southeast Restoration
Stockholm Network
Southern Living magazine
TAB Media Group
Wallace Community College
The Washington Center
Women’s Missionary Union
Woodlawn Innovation Network

Employers

Are you a local business or organization in search of a high-quality intern with advanced writing, communication, analytical and research skills? Samford English majors can add value to your business, gain valuable job experience for themselves and earn credit towards their degree through Samford's English Department internship program. Our students have completed successful internships in a range of fields, nationally and locally.

To advertise your internship to English majors, please send a detailed description (scope, hours, location, start date, paid/unpaid, and application requirements) to the department c/o Jill Everette. We will distribute it to our students, direct them to submit application materials to you, and facilitate academic credit for the student chosen. You may also direct any questions to internship supervisor Brad Busbee.

Academic Programs

Undergraduate Majors

English

Samford’s English major cultivates knowledge of literary and cinematic traditions, and offers a flexible skill set suited to success in a wide range of professions. Our faculty mentors help students develop excellence in critical thinking, persuasive writing and speaking, information literacy, interpretation and project management. They also lead them through research experiences, internships and professional networking essential for graduate study and careers.
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Undergraduate Minors

English

A minor in English, with its emphasis on American and English literature, can add unique value to majors and careers in history, sociology, political science, philosophy, religion, studies, geography, communication studies and journalism.
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Writing

A minor in writing allows students to study writing as a discipline, a means of self-expression, and an academic and professional tool. It’s an ideal complement for any degree or career that values expertise in written discourse for both traditional and electronic formats.
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Concentrations

Creative Writing

The creative writing concentration, provides a foundation in English literature with a strong component in writing poetry, short fiction and literary nonfiction. Students read extensively, learn the history and theory of literary forms and develop their personal skills in a craft-based workshop where their work is considered alongside the work of proven masters. In their final semester, students write a creative writing thesis in a specific genre. A minimum 3.0 highschool GPA and writing sample audition are required to apply and a C- or better in all core concentration courses is required to fulfill the concentration requirements.
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Film Studies

Film studies combines a foundation in English literature with a strong film studies component. While studying a fundamental literary subject such as Shakespeare, students learn about the history of cinema, the contributions of influential auteurs, and the complex dynamics between film and literature. Students read films critically, research current scholarship, write original arguments and have the opportunity to perform in-depth studies of important genres and pivotal movements or nationalities. In their final semester, students write a thesis featuring film or a combination of film and literature.
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English Scholarships

Margaret O’Bryan Brodnax Endowed Scholarship Fund for Excellence in Writing

The Margaret O’Bryan Brodnax Endowed Scholarship Fund for Excellence in Writing honors retired English professor Margaret O’Bryan Brodnax, a provocative and provoking and stimulating and inspiring teacher who was vigilant in demanding excellence from her student’s writing, whose generosity allows us to make this award to a first or second year student whose accomplishments show promise in scholarly writing.

Gaines S. Dobbins English Scholarship Fund

The Gaines S. Dobbins English Scholarship Fund, honoring a prominent leader in Southern Baptist life, is awarded to a worthy student who is an English major pursuing a career in English.

Myrtis Tureman Kurz Scholarship

The Myrtis Tureman Kurz Scholarship honors the beloved former English professor.

English Department Scholarship for London Studies

The English Department Scholarship for London Studies is awarded to make possible an enriching literary experience in London for a deserving English major.

David Ingram Purser, Sr., and David Ingram Purser, Jr., Scholarship

The David Ingram Purser, Sr., and David Ingram Purser, Jr., Scholarship is awarded annually in memory of a Southern Baptist minister and active supporter of Howard College who served significant and strategic churches in the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

James L. Treadway Memorial Scholarship

The James L. Treadway Memorial Scholarship, honoring a popular and beloved teacher who died tragically in mid-career, is awarded to English majors whose scholarship and character are outstanding.

Joseph L. And Dora Evelyn King Scholarship

The Joseph L. And Dora Evelyn King Scholarship, honoring a beloved teacher of English, is awarded to a student on the basis of academic achievement.

English Faculty Scholarship

The English Faculty Scholarship is awarded by English Department faculty to the student or students the faculty especially wish to recognize and honor.

Charles T.Workman Creative Writing Award

The Charles T. Workman Creative Writing Award is presented to a deserving English major in the department’s Creative Writing concentration.

Dean Percy Pratt Burns Scholarship

The Dean Percy Pratt Burns Scholarship is awarded in memory of a former head of the department of English and Dean of Howard College.

Pat Murphy Courington Scholarship for an English Major

The Pat Murphy Courington Scholarship is awarded to deserving English majors from high schools in Albertville, Boaz, Sardis City, Crossville, Geraldine, Asbury or Douglas.