School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies

Jason McEntee, Director
School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies
Pugsley Hall 301, Box 2218
605-688-5191

Faculty

Professors

Jason McEntee, Sharon Smith, Steven Wingate

Associate Professors

Paul Baggett, Katherine Malone, Michael Nagy

Assistant Professor

Nathan Serfling

Senior Lecturer

Amber Jensen 

Lecturers

Randi Anderson, Darin Halvorsen, Gwen Horsley, Lisa Madsen, April Myrick, Stephen Snyder

Instructor

Samantha Algood, Jodilyn Andrews, Daniel Spangler, Alayna Steckelberg

Emeritus

Bruce Brandt, Kathleen Danker, Kathleen Donovan, David Allen Evans, Mary Alice Haug, Michael Keller, Karen Kildahl, Mary O’Connor, Mary Ryder, John Taylor, George West, Paul Witherington, Charles Woodard

Overview

The School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies B.A. and B.S. programs prepare students to become innovative professionals and global citizens by teaching them to read closely and critically, write creatively and persuasively, and explore the beauty and value of diverse literatures and cultures.

For English majors, the school offers instruction in a wide range of specialty areas, including British and American literature, women’s writing, Native American literature, literary theory, rhetoric, composition, creative writing, professional and technical writing, and film studies.

The Interdisciplinary Studies major is designed for those pursuing unique educational goals. Each student develops a goal-driven plan of study approved by the school selecting coursework relevant to those unique goals. Intensive advising and career planning are critical elements to ensure the plan of study appropriately prepares students for future goals.

Programs

Majors

• English (B.A./B.S.)  
• English (B.A./B.S.) - English Education Specialization  
• English (B.A./B.S.) - Writing Specialization  
• Interdisciplinary Studies (B.A./B.S.)  

Minors 

• English Minor   
• Film Studies Minor  (offered jointly with the School of Design )
• Professional Communication Minor  (offered jointly with the School of Communication and Journalism )
• Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor   

Graduate Programs*

• English (M.A.)
• Interdisciplinary Studies (M.S.)

* Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.

Facilities and Services

The School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies is housed in historic Pugsley Hall (as of Spring 2014). The school supports local, regional, and state communities through speaking and teaching engagements, service learning, and events such as the annual publication of the Oakwood literary magazine. In addition, the School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies coordinates the Jerome Norgren Poetry Contest and the Paul Witherington Creative Writing Contest for South Dakota middle-school and high-school students and directs the SDSU Writing Center, which offers writing support to SDSU undergraduate and graduate students.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

The English and Interdisciplinary Studies school publishes Oakwood, an annual literary magazine created and developed by English students; sponsors English Club, the university’s only undergraduate literary association; and awards a number of scholarships to its majors thanks to the generosity of its alumni and friends.