Welcome!

This program provides the opportunity to study a broad array of discourses--including spoken as well as written texts, graphic as well as language-based texts, and multimedia as well as single-medium texts—through a variety of critical lenses as provided by the program's three areas of emphasis:  discourses and cultures, writing studies and pedagogy, and technical and professional communication.

Through training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as individualized mentoring and professional development opportunities, the program prepares its graduates for careers in academia, business, non-profit work, and a variety of other areas.

For this doctoral program, some portion of your course work must be completed face-to-face. Normally, the five required courses are taught on campus as night classes.

Areas of Emphasis

Discourses and Cultures—This area of emphasis blends discourse analysis, cultural studies, and the study of multicultural and transnational literatures to foster critical perspectives on the production and reception of texts in a variety of cultural contexts.

Writing Studies and Pedagogy—Within this area of emphasis, students can explore the history, theory, teaching, and contemporary practice of written and visual rhetoric.

Technical and Professional Communication—This area of emphasis provides students with theoretical as well as practical knowledge of written communication in a variety of professional settings and through a variety of technologies.

Across these three areas of emphasis, faculty research interests and teaching specialties make the program particularly well suited for students who are interested in the study of  various practices of reading and writing—literary, technical, and professional—for social awareness, including writing in the public interest and related textual processes such as crisis communication, environmental advocacy, patient-doctor communications, and community outreach.

Interdisciplinary Research Possibilities

Although the three areas of emphasis constitute the primary focus of the degree, students can take advantage of other East Carolina University faculty strengths, both within and beyond the English Department, through cooperative agreements with Affiliate departments, elective courses, collaborative research, and the dissertation. Such an interdisciplinary effort provides an opportunity to span many fields while focusing on the complex interactions among discourse, rhetoric, and professional communication.

For additional information, review this website and/or contact:

Dr. E. Thomson Shields, Director of Graduate Studies in English:   
252-328-6660 or shieldse@ecu.edu

Shavon Carey, Graduate Administrative Assistant in English:   
252-328-6660 or careys@ecu.edu

Parts of the PhD section of the website are still under construction.