About the English Department

The English Department at Gonzaga provides a rigorous undergraduate program that inspires both personal and intellectual growth. We offer a Bachelor of Arts in English with the option to choose a literature emphasis or a writing concentration. A minor in English is also available.

Our department is a community of accomplished scholars and writers who actively publish poetry, fiction and literary criticism; present scholarly papers at regional and national scholarly conferences; participate in professional organizations; and write for local publications. English faculty have earned Fulbright Awards, grants from agencies such as the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and several teaching and scholarship awards.

Outside of the classroom, the department supports student contributions to Reflection (the campus literary magazine) and The Gonzaga Bulletin (GU’s weekly newspaper). We also host the Gonzaga University Visiting Writers Series, which brings writers of international significance to campus. Visitors have included three former U.S. Poet Laureates: Natasha Trethewey, Robert Hass and Robert Pinsky.

Our department has an outstanding reputation for preparing undergraduates for graduate school and professional studies, including Ph.D. programs in English, M.F.A. programs in creative writing and law school. Our program is also excellent preparation for jobs in any company that values critical analysis, the ability to research and think creatively, and a deep understanding of language. Additionally, many English majors simultaneously complete education certification programs and become teachers.

A stack of rare books, covers slightly worn and faded, piled on a table in Foley Library.

Texts We Love

During the Covid-19 pandemic, English Department Faculty and Staff connected with students, alumni, and many others by sharing passages from their favorite works of literature. We invite you to explore these multi-media readings.


Want to connect with the English Department?