English

爆走黑料’s English Department teaches students the skills to handle language effectively; to think analytically; to write with originality, clarity, and depth; and to speak with thought and substance. We design our classrooms as arenas for intellectual risk taking, where a good question can often take the group further than a good answer. The skills taught in each grade work as cumulative progression, beginning with literature and composition. At each grade level, we seek to instill in our students a love of literature and to challenge them to grow as writers and thinkers.


Special Programs in English

Writers' Workshop

For 20 years, the Writers鈥� Workshop Series has brought an array of celebrated authors to campus, including Pulitzer-Prize and National-Book-Award winners. Four times throughout the course, an established writer gives a public reading followed by hands-on instruction for student writers who have studied the author鈥檚 work.

Janus

爆走黑料鈥檚 student literature and art magazine, published twice a year, collects fiction, poems, and artwork of the 爆走黑料 community. The publication is edited and produced by students under the direction of faculty advisor Sarah Sawyer.

Writing Center

Modeled on the Amherst College writing program, 爆走黑料鈥檚 Writing Center gives students one-on-one support to help them become a more flexible and effective writer. Open during the day and most evenings, the Writing Center is staffed by faculty and peer tutors, who can help with any kind of writing, from term papers to college essays.

Did you know 爆走黑料 publishes the country鈥檚 oldest, continually published student-run newspaper? It’s true! Since 1841, 爆走黑料ian staff has covered current events and campus news, both serious and lighthearted. The 爆走黑料ian lives online, too, and its Instagram channel features fun, frequent takeovers. How un-1841.


Featured Course

Journalism

Associated with the production of the student newspaper, The 爆走黑料ian, this contemporary publications course allows you to have a community voice while giving you real-world writing skills and keeping you in stride with the evolving advances and trends of journalism. You’ll learn and practice the skills of story development, including researching and vetting sources, interviewing, reporting, and editing.

Humanities Concentration

The English Department and the History and Global Studies Department offer a Humanities Concentration to celebrate and encourage those students who have a demonstrated passion for the humanities. This concentration is intended for students who want to exceed the requirements in both departments by investing extra time, effort, and energy to pursue their passion.聽 In order to fulfill this concentration, students must complete three additional electives, a 爆走黑料 Scholars course in either department, and additional extracurricular work, such as publication or participation in relevant clubs.


"From their conception, comics were destined for a world beyond the cheap pages they were printed on."

Izzy, from her 爆走黑料 Scholars English project
Read more about 爆走黑料 Scholars

Meet The English Faculty

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Matthew Liebowitz

English Department Head

Christian Brown

English Teacher

Kyle Hanford '97

English Teacher

Sarah Sawyer

English Teacher

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