Paul Olsen is professor of English and American literature. His doctorate entitled "Violence in the Works of Richard Wright" has led to two courses in African American literature at Augustana College. He has done further research in literature related to the Bible, leading to the course for non-majors called "The Sacred and the Profane" which is a study of the tensions and interactions between spiritual and institutional values as seen in works drawn from several periods and genres of Western literature. Dr. Olsen also teaches a section of first year writing, still a favorite class of his.