Welcome to the Center for American Literary Studies
Penn State is the historic home of American literary studies. In the early twentieth century, Fred Lewis Pattee became the first English professor in the country to teach classes exclusively devoted to American works. The Center for American Literary Studies aims to be similarly ground-breaking. Founded in 2006, CALS advances the study, teaching, and reading of American literature, making Penn State an internationally-recognized source of pioneering work in American literary and cultural studies. Through its dual scholarly and public outreach mission, CALS generates vital new forms of community and intellectual exchange, engaging readers, drawing them together, and positioning American literature as an important public space.
Front and Center
Foreman not only edited the new collection of works inspired by Drake's art, but has contributed interviews, essays, and an original poem.
Shara McCallum was recognized by the Guggenheim Foundation for her accomplishments as a poet.
Julia Kasdorf's fourth poetry collection addresses political issues while maintaining a personal voice.
Aldon Nielsen grows his impressive bibliography of scholarly and creative works with two new publications.
FBI 6 Alum Jordan Carroll won the award for his first book, published in 2021 by Stanford University Press.
The $120,000 grant will support the Initiative's MAP book series.
Foreman was recognized by the MacArthur Foundation for her work on nineteenth-century Black collective activism.
Anesko's new book considers Henry James's complex relationship to art—as creator, patron, and subject.
Moody-Turner's new edited collection features a variety of works (some never-before-published) by the influential Black writer, thinker, and activist.
