Department of English

The English Department offers a dynamic study of literature across historical periods, geographical boundaries and diverse political and social contexts.

Featured Event

Fiction Writer Tommy Orange at USD

Thursday, October 24 at 6 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre
Hear Tommy Orange read from his New York Times bestselling novel There There, and stay for the Q&A, dessert reception and book signing to follow.
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Fiction author Tommy Orange headshot

Upcoming Events

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In the Department

Tracy K. Smith at USD 3-21-19 Tracy K. Smith at USD 3-21-19
Writing Center consultants Fall 2019 Writing Center Fall 2019
Creative Writing Emphasis 2019 Seniors Creative Writing Emphasis 2019 Seniors
photo of english department in late 1970s The English Department in the 1970s. Can you spot Dennis Clausen?
Jacqueline Osherow reading Jacqueline Osherow Fall 2019

In the News

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Why Choose English at USD?

Close-Knit Community

Students build deep and lasting connections with their faculty and fellow students. The support and respect each student receives fosters a community that is committed to academic excellence, scholarly inquiry and mutual respect among colleagues. Browse the English Department Newsletter, and visit us in Founders Hall, Room 174.

Additional Programs and Special Presentations

The English department offers exciting addition programming, such as the opportunity to tutor in the Writing Center and Southeast San Diego Tutoring Project. Special programming includes  our Honors society, Sigma Tau Delta, career workshops, student readings, and special lectures, including Joanne T. Dempsey Memorial Lecture series.

Creative Writing

Led by our award winning creative writing faculty, our creative writing concentration offers genre specialties in poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction.  Foundational to our creative writing program is the Lindsay J. Cropper Creative Writing Center, which sponsors the annual Lindsay J. Cropper Memorial Writers Series and our online literary journal, The Alcalá Review.

Research and Study Abroad Opportunities

Students are encouraged to further their learning through research and experiential learning opportunities. Whether the experience takes the form of attending plays at Britain's National Theatre, participating in our senior research class, Senior Project, or working with the Digital Humanities Tudor Plays project, students augment their coursework and bolster their resumes/portfolios with "real-life" experiences.