Video summary
The University of Vermont's English Department stands as a historic institution that has led the way in higher education for over two centuries. Founded as part of President James Marsh's bold and radical experiment to design advanced learning, it holds the distinction of being the first English department in the country. Throughout its long history, the department has not only endured but also grown, consistently positioning itself at the forefront of educational innovation within the United States.
At the heart of the department is a commitment to helping individuals improve themselves through the study of language and art. The program operates on the belief that by enhancing personal capabilities through these disciplines, students can contribute to making society better as well. This philosophy encourages learners to explore how language functions and how they can utilize artistic expression to foster positive change in their communities and beyond.
Today, at the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, the department remains actively engaged in its original mission. It continues to provide students with the essential tools and knowledge they need to succeed in their future careers and lives. By maintaining this focus on student success while honoring its legacy as a pioneer in English studies, the UVM English Department ensures it stays relevant and impactful for new generations of scholars.
Read the full video transcript
How does language work? How can [music]
you use language
uh and use art [music] to make yourself
better? And by making yourself better,
make society better. [music]
At the University of Vermont, the study
of English is a place where you can
really learn from amazing scholars and
amazing colleagues. Not only were we the
first English department in the [music]
country, we've endured, we've grown, and
we've at various different points been
on the vanguard [music] of higher
education in the United States. The
origin of UBM's English department is
that it was a critical
part of then University of Vermont
President James Marsh plan to design
higher [music] education and it was this
bold
radical
experiment.
This is how we understand ourselves.
It's how we work upon the world. For
over 200 years, the English department
at the University of Vermont has
honestly striven to provide students
[music] with what they need to be
successful in their [music] futures.
And right now at the end [music] of the
first quarter of the 21st century, we
are committed and actively engaged in
doing the same thing.