English Major Spotlight: Sam Rose

Year: Senior
Hometown: Ithaca, NY

Why did you choose to major in English?

I have always felt drawn to the written word. I have created short stories, comics, and essays since I was very little, and I wanted the opportunity to develop my writing and research skills in an academic setting. 

What has been your favorite part of your experience in the department?

It’s been great to connect with faculty and graduate students within the department. I feel that my mentors are genuinely interested in my perspectives while also challenging me to dig into different skills: analysis, participating in workshops, and making connections with what I read in class to broader cultural topics. I have learned a lot about how to participate in a community of writers and artists.

Are you pursuing any majors, minors, internships, or interests outside your English major?

I am aiming to declare my minor in Sociology, as I have found that the topics and emphasis on research methodology are relevant to my future goals and projects.  I am deeply appreciative of Professors Austin Lutzbetak and Ed Cornelius in the Sociology department, as well as MCTC Professor Rebecca March, who helped me in refining my research skills right before I transferred to UMN in Spring 2024.

This past summer, I completed a summer internship with Cow Tipping Press as a creative writing instructor. Cow Tipping works with adults on the disability spectrum to engage with the art of creative writing. It was a very novel experience for me in the sense that I have only worked with (very young) children in a teaching capacity, plus I had to navigate how a Zoom classroom works. I am really proud of what I accomplished and am even more proud of my students for the writing they completed over the summer. 

Beyond that, I am spending a lot of time on my own art practice. I started making my own website from scratch using HTML and CSS this past summer, and I have found a home of sorts in the world of zines. 

What is a favorite book you read for a UMN English class?

Last semester for “Survey of British Literature I" we read The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster, and in my “General Topics” course in Spring 2024 we read The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window by Lorraine Hansberry. I don’t often reach for plays when I am looking for something to read, but now I am inspired to seek it out more. Reading plays with a group of friends is a fun and rewarding experience.

What English course(s) would you especially recommend?

I would recommend taking a course with Professor Nathaniel Mills. He is an extremely brilliant and caring person! I would also recommend “Modern Literary Criticism and Theory," which I took last semester with Dr. Chris Kamerbeek. I walked away from that class feeling much more comfortable engaging with theory, which has been super helpful in my Sociology courses. My last recommendations would be to take “The Essay” with Janna Knittel and any course with Dr. Elizabeth Weixel, another brilliant and caring person who helped me a lot in my understanding of early British literature and history. 

What is something about the English department that most people wouldn’t know?

All the opportunities offered to us. There are always author events, social mixers, and degree-specific advising available throughout the school year. We are hardly thrown out to sea without a lifejacket over here!