university of kansas's english department is at the core of the humanities, highlighting the "human" through individual, one-on-one interactions with students, an emphasis on community and global engagement, and an abiding interest in shared humanity through the stories of others. the department seeks to challenge the mind and to engage the imagination of its students, to teach them to ask questions and to seek answers. students are encouraged to grapple with the complexity of a culturally and commercially interconnected world and the global networks and processes of cultural exchange. the department believes that words and ideas will shape the world. the department teaches students life-long skills, so that they learn to write clearly, creatively, and effectively—discovering themselves even as they lay a solid foundation for professional success.