Department of English

This is the 21st annual Kelly Writers House Fellows Seminar, which features visits by eminent writers as "Fellows" of the Kelly Writers House, the student-conceived writing arts collaborative at 3805 Locust Walk. The seminar is taught by Professor Al Filreis, Kelly Professor of English and Faculty Director of the Writers House, and will include extended visits to the class by essayist/art critic Hilton Als, chef/food writer/memoirist Gabrielle Hamilton, and poet Erica Hunt. Throughout the semester we will study and discuss the work of these three writers—and some of the materials "around" them that make the particular contemporary context in which each operates so compelling. Enrollment in the course is limited. Students will be enrolled only by permit of the instructor and are asked to send a two- or three-paragraph statement by email to alily@writing.upenn.edu describing: why they want to participate in this project, what academic (or perhaps non-academic) experience makes them especially eligible, and their relationship to the works of one (or more) of our Fellows. Participants will write frequent short position papers; will engage in team projects following up each of the Fellows' visits; will be involved in interviewing the three Fellows; and will take a comprehensive final examination. The Writers House Fellows program is made possible by a generous grant from Paul Kelly.