English Department Blog
By Heather McAlpine Books can change your life in ways you don’t even expect. This is the story of how a book led me to meeting the person who would become my husband – and is now a fellow English professor here at UFV, too – Alex Wetmore. Photo Credit: Destinys Agent via … Read more
By Michelle Superle Photo Credit: flrent via Compfight cc We’ve all heard the question too many times—“But what will you do with an English degree?” While the obvious response is teach or write, there are actually more answers than you can count. UFV English majors are in good company with lawyers, astronauts, Olympians, actors, … Read more
It’s starting to really feel like Summer in the Fraser Valley. It’s hotter. The days are longer. That means it’s time to work that Summer job, plan a camping trip, BBQ different things, and, of course, register for your Fall English courses at UFV! This Fall, the English department has an array of great courses … Read more
Congratulations on your graduation! With funny hats and scrolls come questions about where to go with your English degree. Here are three UFV English grads who’ve used their skills to succeed right here in Abbotsford, across the world, and in the everywhere-at-once cyber realm . . . Adam Simpson: United Nations As a project … Read more
Ever have someone ask you “why do you study English?” Students tell us that they face this question occasionally – from friends, family members, or fellow students. Many of these same students also have great answers to this question: – that studying literature and writing is intellectually stimulating and personally enriching; that it helps them … Read more
Guest post by UFV Writer-in-Residence Jen Sookfong Lee Writers talk a lot (and worry a lot) about inspiration. Where do we get our ideas? How do we know if our ideas will make good stories or poems or screenplays? What if someone else has already written this idea? What if I never get a … Read more
Jen Sookfong Lee’s first workshop during her term as UFV’s 2016 Kuldip Gill Writing Fellow was an incredible success. Held on February 23, in the Great Hall of the Student Union Building, approximately 65 students, faculty, and staff attended, making this the most popular Writer-in-Residence workshop ever! Lee explored the topic of “Writing the Body”, … Read more
Guest post by UFV Writer-in-Residence Jen Sookfong Lee People often say that I write about race. I do. Race is a huge part of all of my work and especially in my novels. Canadian publishing, even now, doesn’t reflect the reality of our lives, and the diversity of people we meet on a … Read more
If you thought you noticed a slight lull in the frequency of our Facebook and Twitter posts over the little while, you were right. Some of that came from a general slowdown around Reading Week (even social media butterflies need a break sometimes), but there’s another reason, too… Photo Credit: NASA HQ PHOTO via Compfight … Read more
A huge welcome to our 2016 Writer-in-Residence extraordinaire, Jen Sookfong Lee! Here’s what her impressive experience as a writer has taught her about finding her voice . . . During my very first lecture at UFV, I was asked a couple of questions that no one had ever asked me before: how did you find … Read more