Literary Union and Department Prizes

The Department works to encourage an experience of community that extends beyond the classroom. Interested English majors may wish to involve themselves in the department's Literary Union. Through the Literary Union, made possible by the Harold T. and Mary E. Johnston Endowment, majors work with faculty and graduate students to initiate and organize special events. In the past, Emory's Literary Union has organized panel discussions of literary questions, information sessions on graduate school, poetry readings, and free tickets for local theatrical productions. Interested majors should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for information on how to get involved.

In the spring semester of each year, English majors are invited to apply for three awards, to be presented in April, during Awards Night ceremony by a guest speaker.   The Department sponsors a contest for the best undergraduate essay; the Betty and Michael Wolf Prize in American Literature is awarded to the undergraduate English major who has attained the highest level of distinction in the study of American literature based on course work and/or honors thesis; and The Harold T. and Mary E. Johnston Endowment supports two fellowships, each in the amount of $1000.  These are unrestricted grants, designed to help the recipient defray the cost of domestic or foreign travel connected with research on a special project or honors thesis, and might normally be used during the summer or fall following the junior year.

The Creative Writing Program awards prizes in poetry, fiction, and drama. Students interested in submitting entries should watch for the contest announcements early in the spring semester or consult the department.