October 14, 1988: Naguib Mahfouz became the first Arabic writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in Cairo, he began writing at the age of only seventeen. Now his literature is well circulated throughout the Arabic-speaking world. In his Nobel Prize recognition, it states that he “has formed an Arabian narrative art that applies to all of mankind”. He is known for works such as, the Cairo Triology, Bayn al Qasrayn, Qasr al Shawq, Sukkariya (Between-the-Palaces, Palace of Longing, Sugarhouse), and The Children of Gebelawi. &nb … [Read More...] about Literary Fun Fact of the Day!
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Leisure Reading Series: Fantasy with Tayler Bradley
Tayler here, and welcome to the first installment Fantasy Leisure Reading, my (roughly) monthly look into the world fantasy novels! While I can in no way call myself an expert, my interest in this particular literary genre is personal. Not only am I a huge nerd, but I’m a huge nerd who wants to be a fantasy author, so I am coming at these posts as both an impassioned reader and an inspired writer. Now, I don’t assume that everyone is a fan of fantasy so, as I was perusing my bookshelf for the first book to highlight, I was drawn to one that d … [Read More...] about Leisure Reading Series: Fantasy with Tayler Bradley
Literary Fun Fact of the Day!
October 7, 1849: This date went down in history as the death of Edgar Allen Poe. Four days earlier, he was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore outside of a polling station. To this day, no one has a concrete answer on how he died, but theories of alcohol poisoning, rabies, tumors, and even murder are still in circulation. Do your own research and see which theory makes the most sense to you! (Photo courtesy of the Poetry Foundation) … [Read More...] about Literary Fun Fact of the Day!
An Interview with Paul Collins
By Wes Cruse In preparation for his upcoming visit to campus, I sat down with author and PSU English Department Chair Paul Collins to discuss his newest book and his thoughts about writing. Collins’ work has been published in The New Yorker, Slate, and The New York Times, and his books that have been translated into a dozen languages. They include Not Even Wrong: A Father’s Journey Into the Lost History of Autism (Bloomsbury, 2004), and Blood & Ivy: The 1849 Murder That Scandalized Harvard (W.W. Norton, 2018). Come hear him speak and rea … [Read More...] about An Interview with Paul Collins
🚨INTERNSHIP ALERT🚨 Apply to Tin House!
Portland's very own independent publishing house is looking for interns for all departments in the upcoming year! Whether you're interested in editorial work, design, marketing/publicity, or magazine publishing, Tin House has a PAID internship for you! Follow the link for more information about the internships available: https://tinhouse.com/internships/ … [Read More...] about 🚨INTERNSHIP ALERT🚨 Apply to Tin House!
NUCL is moving to Seattle: What You Need to Know
By Emily Nelson Founded in 2004, the Northwest Undergraduate Conference on Literature, aka NUCL, has been a cornerstone event for the UP English Department each year. NUCL has offered countless English majors and literature enthusiasts from undergrad programs around the region a chance to share their work, engage in critical conversations, and connect with other lovers of writing. For UP students, the conference has also offered the unique opportunity to serve in a year-long internship position, working alongside professors to coordinate the … [Read More...] about NUCL is moving to Seattle: What You Need to Know
Educated by Detours and Emotion: Dr. Brassard on Coming Full Circle
Dr. Genevieve Brassard has garnered the title of resident Anglophile in the cozy nook of the English department. During her lectures and office hours students are imbued with her love for 20th century British literature, which seems to run deeper than the roots of her favorite authors. She always takes the time to appreciate the complex and universal range of emotions Woolf, Hardy, and Austen force readers to wade through. She views British authors as teachers for life, not just literature, and instills this virtue of emotional language in her … [Read More...] about Educated by Detours and Emotion: Dr. Brassard on Coming Full Circle
A Night of Poetry with Joseph Ross
By Laura Misch faceless and colorless, just like America is not. —Joseph Ross, “In the Courtroom” (Part of the “Trayvon Martin: Requiem”) On Tuesday, April 17th, the University of Portland had the pleasure of hosting poet Joseph Ross, who read from his newest poetry collection—Ache (2017). The collection focuses on the subject of race in America, with poems that address everything from the music of John Coltrane to the tragic death of Trayvon Martin. The evening began with Ross reading his poem “On Joh … [Read More...] about A Night of Poetry with Joseph Ross
Writers Magazine 2018
Writers Magazine 2018 By Keaton Gaughan As I sit down to write about the 2018 edition of Writers magazine, I’m finding it difficult to shift my thoughts away from the Launch Party that we held on Founder’s Day in the campus bookstore. For those of you who couldn’t make it this year or have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s some context: the Writers team puts together an annual event to launch, distribute, and celebrate the magazine in its final, printed form. The event has been held in the campus bookstore every year (with special thanks … [Read More...] about Writers Magazine 2018
Pursuing Social Work with an English Degree
By Laura Eager '12 "Social Work? What’s that?" Like many people, I did not know what social work was as an undergraduate. This lack of knowledge lasted until I had my first long-term substitute teaching position in 2013 at a Title I public school in Washington, DC and I interacted with the school social worker. After many years of experience in both medicine and teaching, I have recently been accepted to a graduate program in social work: Wurzweiler School of Social Work in New York City. Social work seems like a natural fit for m … [Read More...] about Pursuing Social Work with an English Degree