English Department

Guided by the principle that the study of literature enables students to become better readers, writers, thinkers, and citizens of the world, the Department of English offers a rich curriculum in British, American, and world literatures, creative writing, cinema, and literary theory. Specific courses treat literary periods, genres, major authors, and literary and cultural topics. The department is home to the Hampden-Sydney Poetry Review, one of the oldest continuously-published poetry journals in the country, and the Garnet, a student-published magazine of poetry, prose, and photography. Hampden-Sydney English majors have enjoyed success in graduate programs, business, law, journalism, teaching, and public service. Our curriculum helps both majors and non-majors develop essential skills in analytic and abstract thinking, cultural analysis, and written communication—all in addition to a love of reading that extends well beyond graduation.

The Hampden-Sydney Poetry Review is the second longest continuously-run poetry journal in the United States.

"in seed and land we find an anchor, and in language we weigh out our courage"

NATHANIEL D. PERRY,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AND EDITOR OF THE POETRY REVIEW