English Department COVID-19 Updates

March 17, 2020

Hello! Thank you for visiting the English department webpage. As you know, the COVID-19 situation has brought on many rapid changes. However, our desire to promote student learning and success has not changed! Please take a moment to read the following information items:

The English Department Office:

As of March 17, faculty and staff have been asked to work remotely. This means that the English department office will be closed. Because of this, phone calls do not give you the most effective way of contacting us; if you do need to call, though, the number is (310) 243-3222.

Contact Information:

Generally speaking, e-mail gives you the best way to contact us. Of course, if you have a question regarding your English class, you should contact your instructor directly. If you want more general information and want to e-mail the department, it’s a good idea to include both of our secretaries and the department chair and/or the associate chair:

One of us will get back to you as soon as we can.

Advising:

We will of course continue to advise students as best we can. All students should seek advising at least once during the semester, especially those who anticipate graduating soon. The following information may help:
  • Comprehensive Exams, M.A. Literature & Rhet/Comp: The exams will take place the week of April 13th. If the campus is still closed to in-person instruction, they will be conducted remotely. Please contact Dr. Best at dbest@csudh.edu to make sure she has your correct email information and with any questions.
  • Comprehensive Exams, M.A. TESL: The exams will take place on April 29. If the campus is still closed to in-person instruction, they will be conducted remotely. Please contact Dr. Zoerner at ezoerner@csudh.edu with any questions.
  • English Education Majors: For those of you seeking subject matter certification, Dr. Best is still accepting portfolios, and your interviews can be done remotely. The paperwork for your certification, however, will most likely be done after this crisis is over, since it requires wet signatures and a typed form. Please contact Dr. Best with any questions or issues.
  • English Literature Majors or Minors: Please contact your faculty advisor via email (all tenure and tenure-track faculty do advising). We can do grad checks and tell you what major classes you need over email. If you have any problems contacting an advisor, or if you have concerns or issues about graduating on time, please contact Dr. Best, Dr. Huth, or Dr. Zoerner, and they will assist you.
  • Language and Linguistic Majors or Minors: Please contact Dr. Zoerner with any advising questions or concerns.

We thank you for your patience during this difficult time and look forward to serving you.

Ed Zoerner, Department Chair