Department of English and Creative Writing

English study at Colgate unlocks rich opportunities for you to pursue programs involving creative work in conjunction with rigorous training in verbal analysis and interpretation.

 English department students and professors gather for a marathon table reading of Milton's epic poem “Paradise Lost”
English department students and professors gather for a marathon table reading of Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost

About the English and Creative Writing Department

Major and minor programs of study are available in English with the opportunity to emphasize literature or creative writing. There is also the opportunity to minor in literary studies or creative writing.

As one of Colgate's largest departments in both faculty and the number of majors, we are able to offer decidedly rich opportunities for study.

The department offers the following major and minor programs:

Majors:

  • English Literature
  • Creative Writing

Minor:

  • Literary Studies
  • Creative Writing

We also offer some very distinctive opportunities such as the London English study group and the Living Writers series.

Department Contacts

Chair: Lynn Staley
Administrative assistant: Tess Jones
Office: 300 Lathrop Hall
Phone: 315-228-7262

My obsession with phrases was part of me for as long as I could remember.

Peter Balakian, director of creative writing and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet