High Point University Department of English

High Point University Department of English High Point University's center for textual examination, appreciation, and creativity.

The official page for the High Point University Department of English.

Our new Sigma Tau Delta inductees with Drs Vescio and Leclercq
04/25/2024

Our new Sigma Tau Delta inductees with Drs Vescio and Leclercq

English brunch! We're honoring our graduates today and celebrating all of our amazing students!
04/25/2024

English brunch! We're honoring our graduates today and celebrating all of our amazing students!

The only thing better than trick-or-treating… come join us at our book fair tomorrow and grab a book straight out of you...
10/30/2023

The only thing better than trick-or-treating… come join us at our book fair tomorrow and grab a book straight out of your childhood! 🎃

10/24/2023

Registration is nearly upon us. Check out some of our course offerings for Spring 2024!

"I believe that every writer needs a guide, because writing is an exploration, and the exploration is not only for me, i...
10/02/2023

"I believe that every writer needs a guide, because writing is an exploration, and the exploration is not only for me, it's for the reader." -- Rudolfo Anaya

Born in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and noted for his 1972 novel Bless Me, Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya is considered one of the founders of the canon of contemporary Chicano and New Mexican literature. Following high school, he earned a B.A. in English and American Literature from the University of New Mexico in 1963. He went on to complete two master's degrees at the University of New Mexico, one in 1968 for English and another in 1972 for guidance and counseling. While earning his master's degrees, Anaya worked as a high school English teacher in the Albuquerque public schools from 1963 until 1968.

Initially, Anaya faced tremendous difficulty getting his work published by mainstream publishing houses because of his unique combination of English and Spanish language, as well as its Chicano-centric content. However, the themes and cultural references of the novel had a lasting impression on fellow Latino writers.

In summarizing his career, Anaya stated "What I’ve wanted to do is compose the Chicano worldview — the synthesis that shows our true mestizo identity — and clarify it for my community and for myself."

To hear more from Anaya, see the NEA's "The Big Read" Interview with him from 2010: https://youtu.be/eYDJI1cCFLY?si=wtVvaI2L6UTxJo9U

Are you ready?! All your favorite nostalgic books and gifts in one place! Mark your calendars!Brought to you by: (Psst...
10/02/2023

Are you ready?! All your favorite nostalgic books and gifts in one place! Mark your calendars!

Brought to you by:




(Psst. We heard there will be scented markers and slap bracelets and so much more!)

Make sure to take time for rest this weekend as you prepare for midterms next week!
09/29/2023

Make sure to take time for rest this weekend as you prepare for midterms next week!

"Why am I compelled to write?... Because the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not ...
09/27/2023

"Why am I compelled to write?... Because the world I create in the writing compensates for what the real world does not give me. By writing I put order in the world, give it a handle so I can grasp it. I write because life does not appease my appetites and anger... To become more intimate with myself and you. To discover myself, to preserve myself, to make myself, to achieve self-autonomy. To dispell the myths that I am a mad prophet or a poor suffering soul. To convince myself that I am worthy and that what I have to say is not a pile of sh*t. Finally I write because I'm scared of writing, but I'm more scared of not writing."

Gloria Anzaldúa (September 26, 1942 – May 15, 2004) was an American poet and scholar of Chicana feminism, cultural theory, and q***r theory. She loosely based her best-known book, Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza (1987), on her life growing up on the Mexico–Texas border and incorporated her lifelong experiences of social and cultural marginalization into her work. She also developed theories about the marginal, in-between, and mixed cultures that develop along borders.

After obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English from the Pan American University (now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), Anzaldúa worked as a preschool and special education teacher. In 1977, she moved to California, where she supported herself through her writing, lectures, and occasional teaching stints about feminism, Chicano studies, and creative writing at San Francisco State University, the University of California, Santa Cruz, Florida Atlantic University, and other universities.

She made contributions to fields of feminism, cultural theory/Chicana, and q***r theory. Her essays are considered foundational texts in the burgeoning field of Latinx philosophy.


09/21/2023

Join HPU at SNCURCS on Nov. 11 at Wingate. The abstract portal is open and closes Oct. 10. URCW will cover registration and arrange for a bus. Contact Dr. Altman if you wish to attend.

Curious about adding a PPW Minor? This quick guide gives a rundown of the first course, ENG 2125, Intro to Public & Prof...
09/18/2023

Curious about adding a PPW Minor? This quick guide gives a rundown of the first course, ENG 2125, Intro to Public & Professional Writing, so you can know what to expect!

Friday marked the beginning of Hispanic and Latino Heritage month, which runs through October 15. A bit about language a...
09/18/2023

Friday marked the beginning of Hispanic and Latino Heritage month, which runs through October 15.

A bit about language and HLHM from PBS:

“When we say “Hispanic” we refer to people whose families come from Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Latin America is what we understand to be South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands where Romance languages (like Spanish, Portuguese, and French) are spoken.

When we say “Latino” we refer to people whose ancestors are from one or more of the 22 countries and territories in Latin America. We use both Hispanic and Latino to be inclusive, because people from French and Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Haiti are not Hispanic but share many cultural traditions and commonalities with Spanish-speaking Latin Americans.

This is how we understand these identifying words today. But language is a living and ever-changing concept. And we create new words and definitions to match how we choose to describe ourselves and find solidarity with one other. For example, we hear more and more people use the word "Latine" as a way to describe people of Latin American descent without designating any one gender to a group of people. It is another way to be more inclusive with our language.

We also know that all of this is complicated and that some people interpret these broad terms negatively and exclusionary because they leave out the many Indigenous communities throughout Latin America who have sustained their languages, cultures, and traditions [...] We understand that no one term could ever accurately capture the diversity within all of Latin America and the many traditions each community has carried with them throughout the diaspora.

It's not perfect, but we do hope to find the words that celebrate and uplift the incredible history and bright future of the Latin American diaspora in the United States.”

*Information from PBS: “What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino? Why do we use both?” at https://www.pbs.org/articles/celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month

We'll be highlighting some great Hispanic and Latino authors this month, so keep an eye on this space!

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