English Department
Working closely with dedicated faculty members, students in this department hone their ability to think and read critically, reason persuasively, and write eloquently. Through exploring a constantly evolving range of course offerings, English majors learn the methodologies and vocabularies appropriate to literary study; contemplate the forms and purposes of literary art in a variety of periods and cultures; and investigate the intersections between English and many other disciplines.
The English Department also fosters a culture of curiosity and intellectual endeavor, as well as respect for a variety of cultures and intellectual approaches, through advising, internships and service learning, study abroad, and extracurricular programming. Students who pursue optional creative writing courses balance critical study with creative endeavor, learning the history and forms of literary art as apprentice practitioners.
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Highlights
- 35-50 students per graduating class major in English or minor in Creative Writing
- Spring term study abroad opportunities and senior capstone experiences
- Internship opportunities at a celebrated international literary magazine, Shenandoah
- Lean 11-course major makes it easy to study abroad, double-major or complete a minor
- Frequent readings and lectures by visiting writers and scholars
- Compatible with pre-med or health professions preparation
- Departmental prizes and scholarships awarded annually
View the 2024 English & Creative Writing Newsletter to see what the English Department has been up to this past year.
English Department
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Launches New Season With Episode Featuring Holly Pickett
In the podcast’s first episode of season six, Pickett, professor of English, discusses the power of humanities in a rapidly changing world and the life lessons that can be continuously unearthed in Shakespearean text.
In Memoriam: Rod Smith, Editor of Shenandoah and Adjunct Professor of English
Smith served as the literary magazine’s editor for 23 years.
Twelve W&L Students Awarded Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients.
Poet Matthew Zapruder to Give Glasgow Endowment Reading at W&L
The public reading will take place Nov. 12 in Northen Auditorium.
Poet Yahya Ashour to Give Glasgow Endowment Reading at W&L
The public reading will take place Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in Northen Auditorium.
Pelzer has enjoyed connecting with others with shared interests through the Gaming Club, University Singers, SABU and the Office of Sustainability.
Chris Gavaler and Nathaniel Goldberg Publish Paper in the Canadian Journal of Philosophy
The professors co-authored an article that investigates the different ways comics are ordered.
Professors Chris Gavaler and Nat Goldberg to Discuss Their New Book, ‘Revising Reality’
The discussion will be held Wednesday, Oct. 2 in the Harte Center Gallery.
W&L Alumni Receive Omicron Delta Kappa Scholarships
Three Washington and Lee University graduates received scholarships from the National Leadership Honor Society to support graduate and professional study.
While exploring the connections between “Station Eleven” and William Shakespeare, professor of English Holly Pickett and her crew of summer research students examined the foundational value of the humanities to society.
University of Chicago’s Professor Kaneesha Parsard to Give Annual Shannon-Clark Lecture at W&L
Parsard’s lecture on Sept. 26, titled “The Friending Plot: Sexual & Economic Freedoms in Early 20th Century Caribbean Fiction,” is free and open to the public.
W&L Outcomes: Kathryn Cover ’24
Cover is working as a public relations apprentice at Prosek Partners in New York City.