The George Washington University Department of English offers comprehensive training in critical theory and literary and cultural studies, exposing students to a diversity of texts across global and transnational lines.

From Beowulf to Derek Walcott, from Virginia Woolf to Sojourner Truth, courses explore the human experience with thoughtful attention to style and content. Undergraduate and graduate students trace the ways in which English expressions can bridge cultures and shape perception, whether through ancient manuscripts, hip hop lyrics or graphic novels.

Beyond the classroom, the English Department hosts seminars and lectures on poetry, drama, film, literature and theory for the GW campus community. Our location in the heart of Washington, D.C., provides rich opportunities for internships and scholarly research — from the Library of Congress and the Folger Shakespeare Library to the Washington Metropolitan Area Consortium of Local Universities.