Elizabeth Allen

Elizabeth Allen is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures at Washington University in St. Louis. She coordinates the Elementary French sequence since 2000 and oversees the Conversation, Culture, and Communication series. Her teaching emphasizes experiential learning through creative activities like Francophone cooking, art/music creation, and ethical discourse.

Education: PhD in French, Columbia University.

Research Interests: Focuses on the transmission of French and Creole heritage through cultural artifacts and traditions along the Mississippi River. Organized student field trips to Sainte Genevieve, a historic French settlement. Integrates French literature and culture as tools to foster students' self-awareness and global citizenship.

Teaching Philosophy: Prioritizes 'off-the-page' engagement, blending literature with lived experiences via TED Talks, cooking, and community projects. Courses explore topics such as Bohemian Paris, ethics, and experimental writing.