English Department Blog
Gavin Paul, one of our resident Shakespeare experts, has spent a lot of time pondering the mysteries of reading—why we do it, how to do it best, and the ways it helps us make sense of the world. As a lifelong lit lover, he’s had plenty of time to conclude that what he reads makes … Read more
Have you ever lost your zest for reading? Lucy Fraser, a UFV SWHS instructor, discovered an unexpected fix to rekindle the spark: she began facilitating a local chapter of Book Clubs for Inmates. Based on the principles of bibliotherapy, this prison book club provides books and discussion to inmates in Medium Security at the … Read more
An Impassioned Examination and Plea by Andrea MacPherson In the last year, I’ve read twenty-one poetry collections (most recently, Like a Beggar by Ellen Bass, all the way back to 1996 by Sara Peters–read the complete list below). Likely this is more than some readers, less than others. Perhaps even twenty-one more than many people. … Read more
Student guest post by Alexandra Hart Photo Credit: verbeeldingskr8 via Compfight cc Have you ever received an expectant stare after saying “I’m an English Major,” followed by “what are you going to do with that?” Studying English doesn’t provide people with immediate understanding the way saying “I’m a in the business program” does. Just … Read more
The New Year brings resolutions for some and re-evaluation for others. The heaviest thinkers among us tend to start questioning everything. Since we’re nothing if not thinkers around here, we’ve started to ponder why we do what we do. Read, that is. Photo Credit: shamray via Compfight cc Just about everybody who engages in … Read more
By Karen Selesky Meet the women of the Nineteenth-Century British novel: there’s still time to register for English 333. Come join us in section AB1 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 15:15-17:15. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” . . . In writing the lived experience of the ordinary Briton, … Read more
Student guest post by Valerie Franklin Why get involved with UFV’s student arts magazine? Past editor Valerie Franklin weighs in on the Louden Singletree–from contributing your work to joining the editorial board . . . Published once a year, the Louden Singletree features art, poetry, creative writing, and photography from UFV students and alumni. … Read more
It’s that time of the year lit lovers anticipate with wonder and joy: awards season. From naysayer to cheerleader, everybody’s got something to say about literary awards. Do they really showcase the best of the best? Are they biased and subjective? Elitist? Are they the surest route to fame and fortune? Whatever your take … Read more
by Heather Davis-Fisch We live, now more than ever, in a performing society. Performances—both live and technologically mediated—are all around us. Ask the average person how many theatre events they’ve attended lately and you will probably be met with a confused head tilt. But ask how many performances they’ve seen and chances are they’ll … Read more
by Miriam Nichols In Winter 2016 the English Department is offering a new course addressing two of our favourite topics: gender and literature. English 401 combines fiction, poetry, drama, visual art, and critical prose in an exploration of gender constructions. The course begins with a section on the archaic Eros with readings of Hesiod, Sappho … Read more