Alumni honored with writing prizes
The Department of Literatures in English celebrates four alumni as winners of the 2022 Philip Freund Prize for Creative Writing.
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A history of critical and methodological openness
Department of Literatures in English
The Cornell Department of Literatures in English has a long history of critical and methodological openness. From the early 20th century, it has embraced new approaches to literary study, while maintaining traditional strengths. Supported by a series of libraries and collections that are world-renowned in many fields, Cornell English is the largest humanities department at Cornell University.
The Department of Literatures in English will honor the life and work of Michael Koch, former editor of EPOCH magazine, with a memorial service on Sunday, August 21, at 2:00 p.m. in Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium, Klarman Hall. The event will also be livestreamed via Zoom.
Upcoming Events
Aug
21
Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium
Sep
06
Department of Literatures in English Lounge, 258 Goldwin Smith Hall
Sep
08
Klarman Hall, Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium (G70 Klarman Hall)
Sep
29
Klarman Hall, Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium (G70 Klarman Hall)
Oct
04
Department of Literatures in English Lounge, 258 Goldwin Smith Hall
Oct
18
Department of Literatures in English Lounge, 258 Goldwin Smith Hall ×
Recent Highlights from the Department
Winners of the 2022 Freund Prize for Creative Writing read on November 17
The Department of Literatures in English celebrates the winners of the 2022 Philip Freund Prize for Creative Writing in recognition of excellence in publication: Ryka Aoki, Estella Gonzalez, Shane Kowalski, and Manuel Muñoz.
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Harrison College Scholars explore politics, wellness, environment in summer work
From Ithaca to Hawaii to Ecuador, students in the Robert S. Harrison College Scholars Program in the College of Arts & Sciences took advantage of the summer as a time to explore their research interests.
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Book views virtual, real world through a new media artist’s eyes
In a new book, Tim Murray illuminates technological improvisation at the intersection of art and politics.
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In a Brutally Honest Memoir, Alum Recalls Addiction and Imprisonment
Having returned to complete her degree in literatures in English, reporter Keri Blakinger ’11, BA ’14, now covers the prison system for the Marshall Project.
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Get a Clue: Anna Shechtman Is a Star in the World of Crosswords
The Klarman Fellow (and future prof) is a regular contributor to the New Yorker—and she created a puzzle just for Cornellians!
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Department of Literatures in English Honors Graduates
On May 27, 2022 the Department of Literatures in English recognized the achievements of our graduates at a diploma ceremony in the Statler Auditorium. Guests, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate graduates and wish them success into the future.
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Pulitzer Prize winner Alison Lurie to be celebrated in July 1 memorial
The service and reception honoring the acclaimed writer's life and work are open to the public.
Read MoreLiteratures in English Destinations
Recent Books by Department of Literatures in English Faculty
Department faculty continually publish important works of criticism, fiction, poetry, and essays. Visit Literatures in English Faculty: Recent Books to learn more.
Land Acknowledgment
Cornell University is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign Nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The Confederacy precedes the establishment of Cornell University, New York state, and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.
This land acknowledgment has been reviewed and approved by the traditional Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' leadership.
Statement from the Department of Literatures in English
We, the faculty and staff of the Cornell Literatures in English department, pledge to support and do our utmost to protect members of our community who are discriminated against, unjustly treated, or otherwise targeted because of race, religion, gender identification, sexuality, immigration status, ability, and other forms of difference.
Recognizing that words and symbols can be manipulated into violence, we renew our commitment to direct the force of language toward large and small acts of learning, alliance, imagination, and justice.