The Department of English offers a unique combination of creative writing and academic courses and provides a remarkably stimulating milieu in which to learn and grow as readers and writers. Whether in an intimate workshop or in a classroom setting small enough to feature lectures as well as discussion, students read literature of the English-speaking world from the past through to experimental and popular works of the present as a means to develop skills as insightful and resourceful readers or writers. Concordia students benefit from the lively cultural and literary life of Montreal, including a variety of international literary festivals such as Blue Metropolis and Voix d'Ameriques.