The English Department offers an Associate of Arts degree in English, which is university parallel. The coursework transfers to senior colleges and universities for students who pursue baccalaureate degrees.
The purpose of the English discipline is to teach students to think critically, write effectively, and develop sensibilities to the literary tradition of the Western world through offerings in composition and literature. The discipline emphasizes language skills and the literary arts.
The English Department is committed to providing instruction which will prepare students who wish to continue their studies at four-year colleges or universities and other students who may be starting careers. Recognizing the wide spectrum of students who attend community colleges and their varying learning styles, the department strives to be flexible in its delivery of instruction. Courses are offered at a variety of locations (including branch campuses) and times (including week-ends) in an effort to accommodate students who frequently have demanding schedules outside of their academic work.
The English Department is also committed to the use of the latest technology in its instructional program. Several courses can be taken by Internet or through videostreaming. Furthermore, to insure that our graduates develop or polish the communication skills that employers are seeking in addition to their technical expertise, students have access to a Writing Lab, equipped with networked computers.
The English Department also demonstrates its commitment to good writing by sponsoring the annual publication of Gallery, an award-winning literary magazine, and the annual Creative Writing Competition for high school students, which culminates in another publication, Among These Hills.
Other innovative approaches for serving the students and the community include dual enrollment classes for advanced high school students, service learning projects linking college students with elementary school students, and courses for the Talented and Gifted Program serving fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders.
Courses offered include basic composition, creative writing, technical writing, surveys of American and Western world literature, children's literature, and folklore.
Because communication skills are necessary for our daily lives, improving our skills as communicators allows us to improve the quality of our lives. Effective interpersonal relationships, success in business and profession, and meaningful participation in our democratic society are all based on effectiveness in communication. The goals of the Department of Communication are as follows:
The Professional Entertainment Program is offered at the Walters State Community College Sevier County Campus. It is a distinctive, premier training program for students wishing to enter the field of entertainment. The program offers performance opportunities; internship opportunities; coursework that allows students to articulate to a four year institution in music or theatre; the opportunity to work with professionals who work in the field of entertainment; and a curriculum designed specifically for those wishing to work in the entertainment industry.
Walters State offers the Associate of Science degree in Professional Entertainment Performance and Professional Entertainment Stage Management/Technician. These programs are university parallel programs and coursework is transferable to senior institutions for students who pursue a baccalaureate degree.
Both PEP majors and non-majors are offered the opportunity to become involved in a performing ensemble. The Sevier County Campus offers a concert choir open to all singers. In addition, the campus offers "On Our Own," an a cappella ensemble open by audition only for vocalists. "Backbeat" is an audition only ensemble offered for those who are singer/dancers/actors. This is a professional level ensemble made up of students. "Backbeat" currently provides a USO Show as the signature event for the Tennessee Museum of Aviation. The Sevier County campus also offers a jazz band to instrumentalists, as well as private lessons available to those who sing or play in an ensemble.