Department of English and Foreign Languages

Student Spotlight:

Krystal Eans

As an English major, I’m developing a strong foundation in the liberal arts. My classes have deepened my appreciation and understanding of art, literature, language, philosophy, and history. Studying literature helps me to see the interconnectedness of very different subjects. My education as an English major provides me a reliable foundation for subjects I will encounter in graduate school.

I really appreciate the relatively small class size of most of my English classes. Students can ask questions about various works of literature or other concepts without feeling as though they are wasting class time. Not only are students encouraged to ask their professors questions, but they are also encouraged to engage in class discussions. The literature classes that I am currently taking with Dr. Swinford and Dr. Sychterz incorporate discussions of literature and related subjects, like art history and philosophy. More often than not, the input of my classmates enhances my understanding of a concept or text.

Before starting college, I had a relatively good idea of what my values, morals, and beliefs were. However, once I started studying works of literature from Europe, America, and other parts of the world, my values became less defined. Through my studies, I have found that there are so many different ways to define or interpret ideas, concepts, and ways of living that I previously believed to be relatively simple. On the other hand, I have also encountered works of literature that have actually helped me to better define or express beliefs or ideas that I already held. A few of the works that have reinforced or questioned my values are Friedrich Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Frantz Fanon’s Black Skin, White Masks, bell hooks’ Ain’t I a Woman, and poems written by Charles Baudelaire. Ultimately, reading and understanding literature helps me to see how other people and societies view the world.

My favorite authors are bell hooks, Dorothy Parker, and Virginia Woolf. At present, I have taken great interest in writers who happen to be women. Right now my favorite books are written from a feminist viewpoint. I greatly appreciate these writers’ approach to style. I also happen to share many of the views expressed by these authors.

Right now I am reading Three Guineas by Virginia Woolf. The book is fundamentally an essay that responds to three letters written to Woolf from a women’s college building bund, a society promoting the employment of professional women, and an anti war society. Through the course of the essay, Woolf displays how all three causes the various societies are concerned about is really one cause.

Every aspect of FSU is contributing to my success as a student. The Chesnutt Library is a great source of leisure and research materials. English department professors exude a sense of excitement for the subject matter that transfers to the students. My professors often suggest other books, films, or cultural events that may enhance our understanding of concepts we are studying in class. Some professors will even help students conduct research or edit papers before they are due. And the camaraderie between my classmates creates a sense of community within the English department at FSU.