University of Glasgow
Scottish Literature
English Literature
Douglas Gifford
The Glasgow Chair at Beloit College brings one distinguished professor from the University of Glasgow to Beloit College every other academic year. The University of Glasgow is renowned for the quality of its teaching and the prominence of its research centers in Scottish Studies, Romanticism, and Film & Television. On Beloit's campus, scholars from Glasgow take part in various campus activities. They may, depending on the year, teach a short course on Scottish Literature or creative writing, deliver a series of public presentations, visit appropriate classes, or serve as the advisor of a research project. They also conduct research in their area of expertise. Professor Douglas Gifford of Glasgow's Scottish Studies Centre was Beloit's first Glasgow Chair during the 2002-2003 academic year.

The Glasgow Chair builds on Beloit's biannual Scottish Seminar and deepens its relationship with the University of Glasgow. The connection between the seminar and Beloit's English Department has always been strong. English Professor Clint McCown led Beloit's first seminar to Scotland in 1988. Since then, many English majors have supplemented their study of literature and language as participants in the Scottish Seminar.

As part of the Glasgow's exchange with Beloit , Beloit professors regularly teach and participate in the life of Glasgow's Scottish Literature and English Departments. Professor Shawn Gillen was the first Beloit professor to visit Glasgow in 2001. Professor Clint McCown will visit Glasgow in 2002.

The English Department's interest in Scottish Literature and Culture extends throughout the English Department. Professor Tom McBride led an alumni seminar to Scotland in 2000 and plans to lead the Scottish Seminar in 2004. Authors such as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alsadair Gray, Ian Crichton Smith, James Kelman, and Janice Galloway regularly appear on class reading lists. A special issue of the Beloit Fiction Journal published in 1988 introduced many important Scottish writers to the United States.