Members of the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington revel in language, viewing it as fundamental to how people make sense of their experiences and our worlds. 

Our understanding of language and humanity is enlivened by the study of literature, rhetoric, and creative writing. By representing diverse worlds, literary texts nurture empathy and curiosity in readers. Rhetorical analysis helps to decode the circulation of power and influence, helping encourage civic engagement and democratic participation. Creative writing, too, fosters a collective sensibility by nurturing self-expression and the imagination of new and potential futures.

The study of language and literature has additional practical applications, as recent research in business administration reveals. People respond to stories better than to data because narrative provides a framework for processing information. Our students not only learn to be more civic-minded, but also acquire professional and career management skills through their study of the marvelous variety of linguistic expression. The close reading skills taught by the English Department equip our students to analyze all manner of texts—from literature to memos to policy documents and more—preparing them both for the job market and for contributions to public life.

Gifts to this fund can be used to support a wide range of critical departmental needs, including but not limited to:

• Invitations to top writers and scholars to engage with our students and faculty
• Our journals, Indiana Review and Victorian Studies
• Undergraduate and graduate student awards, which encourage students to continue their creative and scholarly paths
• Travel fellowships and summer funding for graduate students to assist with their research and creative endeavors
• The annual Indiana Writers’ Conference

We thank you for your support!