Bachelor of Art in Literature Major

About

The major in Literature is perfectly suited for students who love to read, analyze and create texts. Students seeking a bachelor’s degree in Literature will encounter canonical literature, including poems, plays and novels, as well as films, oral storytelling, song, journalism, comics, digital media and so much more. In addition to acquiring a broad knowledge of literary history, criticism and theory, students will learn the skills to create some of the forms they study. The major thus produces critical readers and writers.

Central to the major in Literature is the notion that literature has a vital relationship to culture and society. As the major offers students a traditional grounding in literary study and, at the same time, opens up connections to professional pathways, our students learn to think critically about the ways in which literary culture operates in the global sphere. Our topics-based courses are taught by faculty who publish internationally and have connections with the creative industries. Our offerings are particularly strong in the fields of postcolonial studies, travel writing, ecocriticism, media studies and modern literature and culture.

Students who pursue a Literature major graduate prepared and inspired to pursue careers in fields such as journalism, publishing, researching, non-profit or government agencies and the media. Many students go on to further education in literary studies.

Major

The Literature major is organized around three components. After completing foundation courses that give students the essential tools for literary analysis and a strong theoretical grounding, students go on to choose among more specialized and advanced literary studies courses in a broad range of topics. Students are also encouraged to pursue elective courses that explore the socio-historic and environmental contexts that influence literary forms and cultures of production. Finally, students take electives that link up with particular professional pathways.