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a community of scholars and
creative writers
engaging with literature in national and global contexts.
Who We Are
The George Washington University Department of English in the Columbian College 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.
Join the Graduate Programs Virtual Open House: October 17–27
Registration is open for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences 2023 Open House! The online event includes program-specific information sessions and opportunities to engage with current graduate students, faculty and our admissions team.
The English Department is hosting an information session for prospective graduate students on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 10:00 a.m. EDT.
Our Programs
Undergraduate Programs
The department provides a unique learning experience for talented students to work directly with some of the nation's top scholars. Our creative writing program guides students from introductory courses to advanced seminars on poetry and novel-writing.
Graduate Programs
Our Master of Arts program provides high-level training in literature and culture, while the PhD program offers focused scholarship on American literature and culture, British and postcolonial studies, crip/queer studies and medieval and early modern studies.