Q&A With University Of Mobile English Instructor Amy Burdette

Mobile AL

15 September, 2022

10:57 PM

Description

Press release from the University of Mobile: September 15, 2022 There are a lot of misconceptions about majoring in English – that it simply consists of writing too many papers and reading very old pieces of boring literature. "The English Department at the University of Mobile is here to shatter those misconceptions," says Amy Burdette, instructor of English in UM's College of Arts & Sciences. Studying English at UM is fun – and it is relevant, she says. "We make it fun – and busy – for our English majors. You can truly find your people, here, and have the best experience. There are opportunities for travel, scholarship, creative writing, fun events (Bad Poetry Night), and university-wide exposure (our annual read-a-thons)." Burdette says studying English nurtures your curiosity and gives you the critical reading and writing skills to apply and use throughout your life. Also, considering the flexibility of an English degree in the professional world, it opens the door for a plethora of job opportunities — editing, teaching, communication or public relations roles, law school, technical writing, grant proposals and much more. Read on to learn more about majoring in English at the University of Mobile. Q. What do you love about your field of study? A. I love that the human condition has never changed, and we can still equate our own human experiences today with literature that is literally thousands of years old. It's awesome to make those connections with my students, which allows me to get to know them on a deeper level. I hope to spread my passion for literature and writing by making it interesting, fun and lively in the classroom. That is why I have students who stick with me from EN 101 all the way into their upper-level literatures. Q. What is your favorite literary work? A. My absolute, all-time favorite piece of literature is anything by Tennessee Williams, especially A Streetcar Named Desire. I even teach it in EN 102, and my students love it! Q. Why do you choose to teach at UM? A. We are a small-knit community and know our students on a more personal level. This, in turn with smaller class sizes, allows us to work closely with our students to ensure their success in any one of our specialized programs. I honestly love the camaraderie I have with my fellow colleagues. Some of them have turned out to be my closest friends. Our children are even close. This couldn't be a better work environment as far as people go. The inclusiveness and approachability of faculty and staff make this a truly special place to work. This press release was produced by the University of Mobile. The views expressed here are the author's own.