Literature
Central to the major in Literature is the notion that literature has a vital relationship to culture and society. In addition to acquiring a broad knowledge of literary history, criticism, and theory, students learn the skills to create many of the forms they study. As such, the major produces critical readers and skilled writers. A degree in Literature is perfectly suited for students who love to read, write, analyze, and create. Students in this major will study canonical literature (including poems, plays, and novels), as well as film, oral storytelling, song, journalism, comics, and digital media forms. The major offers students a traditional grounding in literary study and, at the same time, invites students to think critically about the ways in which literary culture is embedded in various practical and professional spheres. The department’s offerings are particularly strong in the fields of postcolonial studies, travel writing, print and media studies, and modern literature and culture.
Students who major in Literature graduate prepared and inspired to pursue careers in fields such as journalism, publishing, teaching, professional writing, researching, non-profit or government agencies, and the media industries. Many students go on to further education in literary studies.
The Literature major is organized around three components: foundational courses that provide essential tools for literary analysis and a strong theoretical grounding; more specialized and advanced topic-based courses; and finally elective courses that explore related fields, areas of study (e.g. history and media studies), and industries.
Major Requirements (45 credits)
Foundation Courses (6 Credits)
| LC 100 | The Stories We Live By | 3 |
| LC 110 | Reading Cultures: Approaches to Cultural Studies | 3 |
Literature Courses (18 Credits)
Six of the following, at least two of which must be at the 300-level:
LIT 199
| First Year Seminar in Literature | |
| LIT 201 | Deception | 3 |
| LIT 221T | Bloomsbury Britain: Art, Craft, Culture | 3 |
| LIT 236T | Prague on the Page: Alienation and Absurdity | 3 |
| LIT 238 | Crafting the Journey: Studies in Travel Narratives | 3 |
| LIT 243 | On Being Human | 3 |
| LIT 254 | Introduction to Postcolonial Literatures and Theories | 3 |
| LIT 255T | Scotland, Story and Song | 3 |
| LIT 256 | Britain in Fragments: Literary Production from 1945 to the Present | 3 |
| LIT 258 | Literary Adaptations | 3 |
| LIT 300 | Modernism/Modernity: "Making It New"? | 3 |
| LIT 305 | Home | 3 |
| LIT 308 | Printing Dissent: Protest on the Page | 3 |
| LIT 320 | Elective Ties: Love, Friendship, Community | 3 |
| LIT 353 | Advanced Studies in Postcolonial Literatures | 3 |
LIT 370
| Topics in Literature | 3 |
| COM 204 | Media Ecology | 3 |
| ENV 220 | Ecocritical Approaches to Literature | 3 |
Electives (15 Credits)
Literary Contexts
Three of the following, at least one of which must be at the 300-level:
| AHT 213 | Art and Ideas: Exploring Vision | 3 |
| AHT 216 | Introduction to the History of Photography | 3 |
| CLCS 200 | Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context | 3 |
| CLCS 371 | Law and Culture | 3 |
| CLCS 360 | Critical Race Studies in a Global Context | 3 |
| COM 301 | Globalization and Media | 3 |
| HIS 211 | The Human in History: Biography and Life Writing | 3 |
| HIS 358 | Global Britishness | 3 |
| IS 279 | Italian Myths and Counter-Myths of America | 3 |
One upper-level French, German, or Italian class in the original language
Professional Pathways
Two of the following:
| BUS 136 | Marketing in a Global Context | 3 |
| BUS 285 | Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
| COM 201 | Fundamentals of Media Studies and Criticism | 3 |
| COM 310 | Issues in Journalism | 3 |
| CRW 100 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
| CRW 110T | Paris Protagonist: Lost in Translation | 3 |
| CRW 325 | Advanced Creative Writing Workshop | 3 |
| FRE 303 | French Translation | 3 |
| STA 106 | Introduction to Printmaking | 3 |
| STA 206 | Intermediate Printmaking | 3 |
| VCA 200 | The Arts of Independent Publication | 3 |
Capstone Requirement (6 Credits)
| LC 497 | Capstone: Comprehensive Readings in CLCS and Literature | 3 |
One of the following:
| LC 498 | Capstone: Internship in CLCS or Literature | 3 |
| LC 499 | Capstone: Thesis in CLCS or Literature | 3 |
It is strongly recommended that Literature majors take at least one Academic Travel course with the LIT designation.