The Environment
The Department
The
English department faculty offer courses over the range of English
Studies, in literary studies, critical theory, creative writing, linguistics,
composition
and rhetoric, and professional and technical communication.
English is the largest department on campus, with 41 tenure-track faculty members, most of whom are members of the Graduate Faculty. Please visit our Graduate Faculty Directory to learn more about our faculty members.
The English Department is also home to the Southern Humanities Review, a highly respected journal of criticism and creative writing. The faculty prides itself on its collegiality and its dedication to research and teaching at both the graduate and the undergraduate level. The department plays a vital role in the University’s Core Curriculum, teaching writing and world literature to every Auburn student. Though the department already enrolls approximately 160 English majors in its strong baccalaureate program, we continue to recruit actively.
The University
Chartered in 1856 as a private college, Auburn University is now one of the South's premier land-grant institutions and the largest university in Alabama, enrolling approximately 22,000 students, including over 2,600 graduate students, from all 50 states and nearly 100 foreign countries. Well known for its applied programs in science, agriculture, and veterinary medicine, Auburn also has a strong tradition in the liberal arts.
The College of Liberal Arts—the largest college in the University—is home to the Center for the Arts and Humanities, which has worked since 1985 to unite university scholars and local citizens in the study of the humanities. The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Art is also a point of interest for scholars and citizens. The award-winning Auburn University home page provides quick access to exploring nearly all aspects of the University; though much is geared toward prospective undergraduates, you may find the virtual tour or other services informative as you consider a graduate career at Auburn.
The Surrounding Area
Set in the rolling hills of East Alabama, Auburn, the "loveliest village of the plain," is 60 miles from Montgomery, state capital and home to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and 120 miles from the growing centers of Birmingham and Atlanta, in an area with a rich heritage of Southern culture. All three cities are easily accessible by interstate highways. The Gulf Coast beaches are about four hours away by car. Although the Auburn-Opelika area has a population of over 60,000, Auburn affords the security, seclusion, and clean air of a small town in rural surroundings. The Auburn City Schools, thanks to a tradition of strong local funding, are among the best in the state.
Living and housing costs depend, naturally, on individual circumstances, but are moderate in any case. Apartments in the Auburn-Opelika area typically rent from $350 to $550, and houses from $400 and up. A fair estimate would be $8,500 per year for room and board. Married students and those with dependents usually spend more. Graduate students have a wide range of choices in housing: rental apartments, duplexes, trailers, and townhomes. A few students choose to live in university housing.
Questions about this program
Last updated April 26, 2005