The Department of English at Georgetown University has one of the largest undergraduate majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and houses one of the few stand-alone English Master’s programs at a nationally ranked university.
With its small classes, the Department of English at Georgetown University emphasizes close work with students and teaching excellence. Our faculty boasts a robust and diverse record of publication, and many have won major university teaching prizes. Reflecting a broadening of the field in recent years, our department offers courses in canonical and non-canonical literature and film in English. The Department is the home of the Lannan Center for Poetics and Social Practice and the University Writing Program.
Statement of Principles from the Faculty of English, Georgetown University
The Department of English at Georgetown University stands united in its commitment to the fundamental equality and inherent dignity of all human beings. These values are the foundation of our work in the humanities and transcend political affiliation. They are also embedded in our University’s mission and the Jesuit tradition of seeking social justice.
As humanists we are committed to the practices of principled argumentation, free inquiry, careful consideration of evidence and fact, and sustained, contemplative engagement. A prerequisite for those practices is respect.
We join together in opposition to those who would ignore, reject, or recast as debatable the principles of equality and justice that are the foundation of our work as educators.
We affirm this shared commitment publicly because the values of equality and human dignity continue to be under threat. Instances of racist, misogynist, Islamophobic, anti-immigrant, homophobic, and anti-Semitic harassment, coupled with hate crimes and acts of racial terrorism, are on the rise nationally. They also occur at Georgetown.
The climate for these acts has been substantively shaped by a rhetoric of divisive bigotry that has come to dominate our political discourse, even at the highest levels of our government. As teachers of English we know that words are powerful. We reject the language of division and affirm publicly our shared commitment to justice.
To our students: we stand in solidarity with you. We acknowledge your fears and affirm your right to pursue knowledge regardless of your identity or origin. Our task is to support, to encourage, and to challenge all of you. We commit to that task now and always.
Many courses are interdisciplinary and our faculty have played a major role in founding the African American Studies Department and interdisciplinary programs of the College:
Department Leadership
Interim Department Chair: Kathryn Temple (2021–2022)
Director of Graduate Studies: Daniel Shore
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Pamela Fox
Director of Honors: Lori Merish
Director of Creative Writing: David Gewanter
If you are seeking information on English language courses, please contact the English Language Center.
Announcements
Mecca Jamilah Sullivan Debuts Highly Anticipated Novel This Summer- Big Girl
May 23rd, 2022
As the newest member of the Department of English , Professor Mecca Jamilah Sullivan is making her debut in more ways than one . Her new novel titled Big Girl is…
Event Recap: What’s Next? Great Career Options for Humanities MAs
May 13th, 2022
Commencement is just a few short days from now , and one question that is sure to cross the minds of every future graduate is the inevitable though occasiona…
In Honor of National Student Employment Week, Meet Our Office Assistant, Aditya Manjul!
April 13th, 2022
Balancing a part – time job , schoolwork , and other extracurriculars is no easy feat , but student workers make it possible ! They provide an invaluable service…
EGSA Open House Celebration Recap
April 5th, 2022
Thanks to the hard work of EGSA , graduating M . A . students took to Dahlgren Quad last Thursday to celebrate their thesis research and welcome newly admitted…