Department of English

With one of the biggest gift-giving seasons upon us, here’s a quick look at some gift-worthy books and music created by University of Washington faculty and staff, and a reminder of some recent favorites.

Two UW authors share very different stories about the Korean American experience.

Nancy Jooyoun Kim (MFA, Creative Writing, 2006) talks about her novel, The Last Story of Mina Lee. 

Watch lectures online from the new interdisciplinary class "2020: The Course."

ENGL 285, a unique creative writing class that features the expertise of professional writers, is highly recommended by its students.

Matthew Howard, Ph.D. candidate in English, discusses race and mobility.

An English professor’s story is honored, a Jackson School faculty member helps with research for a PBS show, and more.

“2020: The Course” gives students an opportunity to hear from UW professors and special guests who will discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, race in the United States, the state of the environment, the economic recession, civic participation, citizenship and this election season and outcomes.

“You face failure every day as a writer,” says writer and professor Shawn Wong. In this wide-ranging conversation, Wong cracks open the door to the creative process and lets us peek in to understand the importance of representation in literature and why he teaches his students to tell the truth, not the facts.

During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. 

UW Press looks back on a century of publishing, featuring works by Quintard Taylor and Bill Holms. George Behlmer’s 'Risky Shores’ honored.

Shawn Wong is longtime University of Washington professor of English, but he is also an editor, novelist, screenwriter and activist on behalf of Asian American writers whose voices have been forgotten or marginalized by history.

The Department of English has introduced its new "Literature, Language, Culture" Dialogue Series, a series of podcasts and YouTube videos, and Devin Naar, UW professor of history and Jewish studies and chair of the Jackson School’s Sephardic Studies Program was a guest on two podcasts.

The Department of English has introduced its new “Literature, Language, Culture” Dialogue Series, a series of podcasts and YouTube videos in which UW humanities faculty discuss their research and teaching — “including the ways our work contributes to how we experience and seek to understand this time of global crisis.”

Anu Taranath, principle lecturer in the departments of English and Comparative History of Ideas, has received or been nominated for several awards for her book "Beyond Guilt Trips."