Welcome to the Department of English
The English Department at Cal Poly awards a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree. At the undergraduate level, the department offers classes in American, British, and world literature, creative writing, film, linguistics and TESL, and composition/rhetoric. At the graduate level, the department offers classes in American and British literature, historical and contemporary literary theory, composition theory/practice, and linguistics. Outstanding students and award-winning faculty make Cal Poly's English Department one of the best in the state.
Are you interested in getting more information about attending Cal Poly? Please visit our admissions page to request info that is modeled to your interests.
Announcements
2012 Academy of American Poets Contest
deadline for entries is May 9th
T.S. Eliot began one of the most controversial poems of the twentieth century with a famously ironic line: “April is the cruelest month.” In "The Waste Land," Eliot may have seen April as cruel, but the month that promises new beginnings has typically been inspirational for most other poets around the world. That’s why April is National Poetry Month. For more contest rules, take a look at the announcement flyer.
Spring Commencement Schedule
College of Liberal Arts graduates will be honored at the 2012 commencement on Saturday, June 9th at 10am. Take a look at Student Life and Leadership webpage for more information regarding the events of Spring commencement.
The English department's graduate ceremony will be held directly after commencement, at noon(ish) on the lawn in the center of the business building (03). Light refreshments will be served.
Upcoming Speakers and Events
The English department occationally sponsors esteemed literary speakers to enlighten us with their new works.
For all department events, please take a look at the English department events calendar page
Byzantium Release Party, May 19th
We are proud to announce that the 22nd edition of Byzantium is to be released at a party open to the public at Sally Loo’s Café at 7pm on Saturday, May 19.
The reading is free. Copies of Byzantium, Cal Poly’s annual publication of the winners and editors choice selectees of the Al Landwehr creative writing contest, will be available at the event and around campus for no charge.
Guest Speaker: David Sigler
Thursday, May 10th, 11am, room 38-204. David Sigler will discuss Jane Austen. He has titled his talk "Austen's Pride and Prejudice: Anxiety and the Unaccountable".
Interview Workshop May 4th
Friday, May 4th, 11:30am, room 10-220. Our annual Resumé Workshop was a success again this year. Alumni Ann Neumann and Roger Reedy helped 16 students craft and revise their resumés. Ann and Roger will return in May for an Interview Workshop.
Department Spotlight
Doug Cox
Doug Cox was born and raised in Fresno, California. He holds degrees in English and creative writing from Cal Poly SLO, Indiana University, and Florida State University.
Doug attended Cal Poly, SLO from 1994-1998, where he earned his BA in English, published his first poem in Byzantium, sang in a local punk band, and played soccer for the first Mustangs team to compete in the NCAA Division I Championships. He later went on to earn an MFA in creative writing at Indiana University and a PhD in poetry at Florida State University. His work has appeared in several online and print literary magazines, and his first book of poems, The Last Decent Jukebox in America, was published in the spring of 2011 by LS&S Press. He lives with his wife and their son in Colorado, where he teaches literature and creative writing at Mesa State College.
Melinda Moustakis Continues her Achievements
Melinda, English department graduate, is named one of 4 who have been chosen by the Princeton Lewis Center for Arts Hodder Fellows for 2012-2013. Read more about this accomplishment here.
The National Book Foundation announces "5 Under 35" Fiction, 2011
Melinda Moustakis has been named one the winning writters of this year's award. Take a look at the "5 Under 35" announcement on The National Book Foundation's website. Find out more information about Melinda, view her spolight update.