Read Smith’s plans for the spring 2021 semester.
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The Department of English Language and Literature aims to teach all students to write and speak well and to read skillfully, thoughtfully and with pleasure. We offer many courses that stress literary history, influential figures, various theoretical perspectives, linguistic developments and diverse emergent fields. We also offer students opportunities to pursue creative writing of their own.
We expect that our majors will graduate with an understanding of the historical and cultural forces that have shaped literatures in English, from the British Isles and around the world. We want all of our students to learn to wrestle with the complex interpretive challenges that literature poses and to become, in the words of Henry James, people “upon whom nothing is lost.”
Announcements
Information for First Years and Incoming Transfers, 2020-21
Welcome first-years and incoming students! Please see our helpful guide for Getting Started in English.
Writing course submissions for spring courses
The deadline to submit writing samples for courses is Friday, November 13th. Please contact Jennifer Roberts, jroberts@smith.edu for more information on what to submit.
English Department Presentation of the Major on October 29
The English department had its Presentation of the Major on Thursday, October 29th. If you were unable to attend but are still interested, please contact the department assistant, Jennifer Roberts, jroberts@smith.edu, for the Zoom link.
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Faculty
The department’s faculty members offer a wide variety of courses in areas from literary history to creative writing.
View morePrizes & Awards
The department offers prizes in five categories: poetry (single), poetry (group), fiction, creative nonfiction and critical essay.
View moreStudy Abroad
Many Smith English majors spend all or part of their junior years abroad on programs all over the world.
View moreResources
The department is supported by a number of unique programs, services and resources.
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Contact
Pierce Hall
Northampton, MA 01063
Administrative Assistant: Jennifer Roberts
For questions regarding the English major, please contact the department chair, Ambreen Hai.