Welcome to the Department of English at Washington University in St. Louis
The
English Department at Washington University is one of the most highly
acclaimed departments in the university and one of the most storied
departments in the country. Recognized internationally as a place
where academic and creative writing come together, it offers
extraordinary resources for graduates and undergraduates alike.
Eminent faculty and exceptional student colleagues provide a local
culture to live in and small classes to learn in, offering our students
the richest kind of learning experience. Our curriculum, built solidly out of the materials of literary history and ranging from medieval British to contemporary American works, leads students to deepen and strengthen the pleasure they experience in reading by asking the most current questions of cultural value. The fluency our students gain with the masterworks of these traditions also combines with their developing mastery as writers, which is a dedicated focus in our plan of study. In written response to the major texts of literary and cultural history, in close conversation with professors and fellow students, and through attendance at readings and lectures where new writers and groundbreaking ideas are introduced, our students develop a special intimacy with the literary experience as well as an exciting introduction to the public culture of letters.
We encourage the development of this sensibility in many directions. While English is a major that fits easily into a student’s plan for double majoring and study abroad, it is also, and most notably, an excellent preparation for postgraduate plans. The linguistic facility our major fosters is of course directly applicable in all careers related to writing and speaking, which range from journalism to publishing and public relations. Developing a unique capacity for analytical and interpretive reading, moreover, English offers an unrivaled preparation for further professional study: our students routinely move on to the most prestigious graduate schools for careers ranging from business and teaching to medicine and law.
Vincent Sherry
Department Chair
Information regarding the various programs offered by the
English Department and described in these web pages can be requested here.