l’shana tova
Here’s wishing a good new year to all readers of the English Department’s blog.
A note to current English majors
Dear English major, I hope that your semester is off to a good start. Many of you will have noticed that we have two terrific new faculty members this year: the medievalist Jonathan Hsy, and the renowned novelist Herman Carrillo. We’ve also introduced a new course, English 40W: Literature of the Americas. A second version…
Jonathan Hsy joins English Department Faculty
We are very happy to welcome the medievalist Jonathan Hsy to our faculty. We asked Professor Hsy to say a few words about himself, and he writes: I received an MA from Stanford and my PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, and I’m excited to be joining the English department at GW this fall. I…
Chaucer and Writing in the Disciplines
A few years ago GW initiated a Writing in the Disciplines (WID) program to ensure that the attention to writing given in the first year of study continues thereafter. I’m naturally skeptical of all initiatives, especially when they come bearing acronyms, but I have to say that the WID program is very well thought out…
Literature of the Americas
This fall we’ve introduced a new undergraduate literature course that places American texts within a hemispheric frame. Taught by Gayle Wald, the class has proven extraordinarily popular. Weekly lectures are coupled to small discussion section meetings. The course is writing intensive. Here is the syllabus. —————————-ENGL 40W.10: Literature of the Americas“Slavery and the Circum-Atlantic”Fall 2007Prof….
Summer Reading
The short stretch between June and August is one of the few times I have a chance to read some non-work related fiction. This summer I found two novels that I would highly recommend you add to your own list. 1. Paul Auster, The Book of IllusionsThe best way I can describe this book is…
Folger Seminar on Books and Early Modern Culture
In partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library, the George Washington University is pleased to offer a new seminar on Books and Early Modern Culture. The seminar is a one of a kind experience, offering undergraduates the chance to have reader’s privileges at the library and to utilize its world famous collection of Renaissance books. The…
Letter from an English Major
As many of this blog’s readers will have heard, beloved professor of English and longtime director of undergraduate advising Lee Salamon retired at the end of the school year. In recognition of her scholarly achievements and distinguished record of service, Professor Salamon was awarded emerita status at commencement. We hope to see her around the…
What to do with an English major
We asked the class of 2007 to let us know what career paths they were following upon graduating from our program. Their responses illustrate well the flexibility a major in English gives when choosing a profession. We wish each one of our alumni good luck on their diverse endeavors. I will be reading screenplays and…