Brandon Amos, an English major with a minor in Spanish, is a senior from Sand Rock, Alabama. One of his favorite hobbies is playing guitar, but he claims that he spends most of his free time during the semester pacing around and contemplating the assignments on which he has procrastinated.

What is the last book you read?
The last book that I read (that wasn’t an assignment) was Lullaby, by Chuck Palahuik. He’s an extremely talented and unconventional author who is worth a read, but he’s not for the faint of heart.

What is your favorite thing to eat on campus/off campus?
I don’t really eat out too much, but I will never turn down tacos.

Why did you decide to come to JSU?
If I’m being totally honest, JSU was the closest school to me, so it just made the most sense logistically to apply here. That being said, I can’t imagine being at any other school. Instructors like Dr. Gates, Professor Burns, and Professor Maloney have convinced me that this is where I want to be for my education.

Why did you choose to major in English?
I like how unexpected literature can be. You never truly know what you’re going to get out of it. Also, I believe that not all things can be expressed through stats and figures and data put down on paper. People need perspective to learn and grow as individuals; English provides that perspective.

How did you get the opportunity to present at SAMLA?
That was Dr. Gates’ doing one hundred percent. I was in her Women’s Lit class last summer, and she needed an undergrad to present on a panel with her. I have a tendency to haphazardly stumble my way into situations that I know nothing about, so naturally, I raised my hand.

What exactly is SAMLA?
SAMLA is the South Atlantic Modern Language Association. Essentially, it’s a fancy conference in a fancy hotel with fancy looking people discussing various topics within literature according to a particular theme.

What topic did you present?
My presentation was called “Conversion Tactics in Didactic Literature: How Charlotte Perkins Gillman and Elizabeth Robins Turn Us Into Supporters of Thier Feminist Causes.” Basically, I explored the didactic message within each text, and I focused on the development of the characters as well as the lack of communication from the supporting characters.

How did this experience impact your overall student experience?   Well, getting to do this interview is one positive thing that came out of it. Also, it allowed me to get my feet wet in the academic world and gave me perspective into what the future might hold.

What about being an English student at JSU gives you the confidence to take on life after graduation? 
The faculty, plain and simple. I’m being taught by the best minds I have ever encountered in my life, and I am learning so much from them.