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odomWilliam Odom

Professor Ph.D.,
Tulane University
Liberal Arts Bldg. 312
(601) 266-4964
William.Odom@usm.edu


Dr. Odom directs the German program at USM, which includes courses at all levels of undergraduate study. A minor in German can be obtained through coursework on the Hattiesburg campus, and a major is available with additional coursework from study abroad.

Dr. Odom oversees the academic work of students participating in our exchange program with the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn, Germany, as well as our study-abroad program in Vienna, Austria.

Dr. Odom's research interests cover a broad range of topics. His most prominent publication is German for Singers, a comprehensive treatment of German phonetics and diction, with special emphasis on the concerns of opera singers. German for Singers is published by the prestigious music publishing house Schirmer Books and, after nearly thirty years in print, is considered the leading work in the field. German for Singers is now in its second edition, which included the collaboration of the renowned baritone and professor of voice at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna.

Odom makes frequent extended trips to Vienna where he oversees the work of USM students taking language courses and continues his research projects. In addition to his work in phonetics and vocal diction, Odom has published a number of literary translations, including the bilingual edition HÖRSPIEL: Eine Sammlung zeitgenössischer deutscher Hörspiele and the volume Morgen sind wir in der Schweiz: Die Rettung der Kinder von La Hille, which includes recorded productions of both the original German play and Odom's translation.