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
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An Evening with Rebecca Skloot
By Laura Misch On February 26th the University of Portland hosted best-selling author, Rebecca Skloot, as the 2018 Schoenfeldt Distinguished Writer. She gave an amazing talk addressing everything from her famous book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, to goldfish surgery (yes, it’s a real thing!). It was a great event filled with laughter and critical conversation. Here were a few of the big takeaways. Mortal No More For those who haven’t read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, it tells the sto … [Read More...] about An Evening with Rebecca Skloot

Books for Black History Month
By Laura Misch February is much more than a month-long rumination on your current relationship status. It’s a time to recognize and appreciate Black History Month through the acknowledgment of African-American achievements. Although we should always celebrate the past and present achievements of African-Americans, Black History Month designates a special time during which we can actively commemorate the contributions these individuals have made to our shared history. And I personally can’t think of a better way to celebrate than wit … [Read More...] about Books for Black History Month

An Interview With Sarah Bokich
By Keaton Gaughan In anticipation of her up-coming campus reading, I sat down with poet and esteemed UP alum, Sarah Bokich, to learn a bit more about her, her newest chapbook, and life after UP. You can peruse our exchange below. Come hear Sarah read from her newest publication on Thursday, February 8th at 7:30pm in the Campus Bookstore. Hope to see you all there. KG: Can you tell me a little bit about your recent collection of poems, The Rocking Chair at the End of the World? SB: While a few of these poems were from an earlier period, … [Read More...] about An Interview With Sarah Bokich

Submit Your Creative Pieces to Writers Magazine
By Keaton Gaughan Hey all you creative-minds. You know that profound poem, striking short story, or perfect photograph you have just sitting there in some file on your desktop? Well, Writers Magazine wants it. Send your creative writing and visual art to up.writersmag@gmail.com by February 9th for the chance to be published in UP’s student-run magazine. Keep up to date on everything Writers by following us on Facebook and Instagram. We’ve got some important announcements coming up, and we want you to be the first to know. We’ll b … [Read More...] about Submit Your Creative Pieces to Writers Magazine

Spring 2018 Course Preview
by Laura Misch Percy Bysshe Shelley once wrote, “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” Well, English majors, winter will soon be upon us, and registration for the spring semester has officially begun. The race is on to sign up for courses, and here’s hoping you get the schedule you want. But what exactly are you signing up for? I corresponded with each of our lovely professors and got the inside scoop on all of the upcoming, upper-division English cours … [Read More...] about Spring 2018 Course Preview

Summer 2018 Course Preview
by Amanda Zazueta It’s that time of year again—Halloween? Thanksgiving? Christmas? Nope—registration! As you navigate the stress of trying to figure out next semester’s classes, while still taking tests and writing essays for your current ones, do you ever wish you could just get away? Well, what if I told you that you can? (Sort of. Please attend your classes.) Looking forward to summer, why not study abroad in Austria or China or have a local adventure in Ashland? Have I piqued your interest? Check out th … [Read More...] about Summer 2018 Course Preview

Interview with Leni Zumas
by Keaton Gaughan Leni Zumas, author of the upcoming fiction novel Red Clocks (selected for Publishers Weekly’s “Top 10 Literary Fiction” list), will be visiting campus later this month as part of the University of Portland’s 2017-2018 Readings and Lectures Series. Her reading will be November 15th at 7:30pm in the campus bookstore. Zumas teaches in the MFA creative writing program at Portland State University. She&nbs … [Read More...] about Interview with Leni Zumas

Curriculum Changes: A Conversation with Dr. Larson
Registration for the spring semester is fast-approaching, and the times they are a-changin’. As you astute English majors have probably already noticed, the English department has undergone major curriculum changes. Graduation requirements along with the English courses themselves have been revised, and this leaves many students confused. That’s why I sat down with English Department Chair Dr. Lars Larson to talk about the … [Read More...] about Curriculum Changes: A Conversation with Dr. Larson

An Interview with Dr. Hill on the German novelist Julia Franck
by Monica Salazar Award-winning, contemporary German author Julia Franck will be visiting campus for the University of Portland’s Readings & Lectures Series this November. In her writing, Franck explores Germany’s dark, complex history and how major political events shaped the lives of everyday German citizens—especially women—during the twentieth century. I sat down with Dr. Alexandra Hill, a German professor here at UP who has writte … [Read More...] about An Interview with Dr. Hill on the German novelist Julia Franck