Department of Literatures in English | 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.

Recent Highlights from the Department

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.

Learn & travel with Cornell alumni, faculty this summer

A&S faculty will lead many courses on campus and join educational vacations as part of Cornell Adult University.

Michael Koch, Epoch editor, remembered for ‘quiet grace’

Koch’s expertise made a mark on American literature and influenced writers who went on to publish bestselling and prize-winning works of fiction and poetry.

Student Spotlight: Michael Lee

"As a poet with the heart of a historian, I’m interested in attending to the interrelated histories of European colonialism and industrial warfare through the lyric."

Student Spotlight: Esther Kondo Heller

With a research travel grant, Heller will go to Nairobi this summer to research an archive of interviews with the Taarab musician Sitara Bute.

Department of Literatures in English Announces Student Award Winners

The Department of Literatures in English is host to many gifted student writers and teachers. Thanks to the generosity of various donors, annual prizes are awarded for outstanding work in poetry, fiction, research, critical writing, and instruction. We are pleased to announce our 2021 - 2022 student...

Grateful to be together: Meet the extraordinary class of 2022

Hear about the Cornell experiences of some of the amazing students in our graduating class.

Migrations grants fund worldwide interdisciplinary projects

Cornell faculty and their community partners will tell the stories of local migrant farmworkers, use documentary film to better understand climate change and dispossession, learn how migratory birds are affected by drug trafficking and more.

Literatures in English Destinations

Creative Writing Undergraduate Study Graduate Study Faculty

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.

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.

Ishion Hutchinson speaking at a panel event

Literatures in English Event Videos:

Click here to browse the archive of Department of Literatures in English events.

Upcoming Events

Jul

01

Alison Lurie Memorial

Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium

Sep

01

FGSS and LGBT Studies Fall Welcome Back Reception

A. D. White House

All Events