Literature Program
The literature program specifically enables students to study texts composed in, or translated into English and to understand the various cultural forces that have influenced their making. Students gain a broad overview of major texts and traditions in British, American and world literature, as well as familiarity with critical theory.
The literature major, with its focus on developing students' cultural and rhetorical awareness as well as speaking, reading, and writing skills, is excellent preparation for graduate study and professional careers in law, business, education, publishing, journalism, public relations, human resource management and advertising
- Rhetorical Knowledge (1 course) Students study rhetoric as the foundation of English studies and learn how to read and interpret a variety of texts as persuasive messages.
- Foundational Knowledge (1 course) Students gain an understanding of the place and influence of various canonical texts (the Bible, Shakespeare, world myths) in Western literature.
- British Literature (1 course) Students study important British novelists, poets, or dramatists, both canonical and contemporary, and apply the tools of literary study to reading and writing about these texts.
- American Literature (1 course) Students study important American novelists, poets, or dramatists, both canonical and contemporary, and apply the tools of literary study to reading and writing about these texts.
- British OR American Literature (1 course) Students gain additional knowledge of central figures in either British or American literature and apply the tools of literary study to reading and writing about these texts.
- Global/Non-Western Perspectives (1 course) Students gain an appreciation of the literature outside of the traditional British and American canons.
- 2000-level or above English department offering (1 course) Students gain additional knowledge in the disciplines of literature, writing or communication. Choose any 2000-level or above English department offering.
- 3000-level or above English department offering (2 courses) Students gain additional knowledge in literature, writing or communication at an advanced level as a prelude to the senior seminar experience.
- Capstone Experience (1 course) Applying at an advanced level the research skills and knowledge gained in earlier communication courses to the completion of a major research project.
Students in the literature program are strongly urged to complete an internship in addition to the 10-course requirement.
Requirements for Departmental Program in Literature
1. Rhetorical Knowledge (1 course)
- ENGL1208 Persuasive Strategies and Rhetorical Traditions
2. Foundational Knowledge (1 course)
- ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Tragedies, Comedies, Histories and Romances
- ENGL2325 Spirituality and the Literary Imagination
- RELIG1111 Introduction to the Bible
3. British Literature (1 course)
- ENGL2101 English Literature I
- ENGL2102 English Literature II
- ENGL2106 Irish Identities: Literature and Culture
- ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Tragedies, Comedies, Histories and Romances
- ENGL2406 The Rise of the British Novel
- ENGL2408 The Modern British Novel: Empire and After
4. American Literature (1 course)
- ENGL2303 Modern American Writers
- ENGL2304 American Voices I: U.S. Literature to 1865
- ENGL2413 African American Literature: A Tradition of Resistance
- ENGL2604 American Voices II: U.S. Literature Since 1865
5. British OR American Literature (1 course)
- ENGL2101 English Literature I
- ENGL2102 English Literature II
- ENGL2106 Irish Identities: Literature and Culture
- ENGL2303 The Modern American Novel
- ENGL2304 American Voices I: U.S. Literature to 1865
- ENGL2402 Shakespeare: Tragedies, Comedies, Histories and Romances
- ENGL2406 The Rise of the British Novel
- ENGL2408 The Modern British Novel: Empire and After
- ENGL2413 African American Literature: A Tradition of Resistance
- ENGL2604 American Voices II: U.S. Literature Since 1865
6. Global/Non-Western Perspectives (1 course)
- ENGL2103 Literary Mirrors: Introduction to World Literature
- ENGL2105 Contemporary Latin American Fiction
- ENGL2124 History Through Fiction: Event and Imagination
- ENGL2417 Literature of the Black Atlantic
- ENGL3421 Spanish Caribbean Literature
7. 2000-level or above English department offering (1 course)
- Choose any 2000-level or above English department offering
8. 3000-level or above English department literature offering (2 courses)
- ENGL3301 The American West in Film and Literature
- ENGL3303 Images of Masculinity
- ENGL3305 Satire
- ENGL3601 Crime Stories and American Culture
- ENGL3701 Media Theory
- ENGL3703 Critical Theory and the Academy
- ENGL3705 Monsters, Madness and Mayhem: The Gothic Tradition in Film and Literature
- ENGL3991 Special Topics I
- ENGL3992 Special Topics II
9. Capstone Experience (1 course)
- ENGL4999 Senior Seminar
Suggested Four-Year Program for Departmental Major in Literature
Students in the literature program should complete ENGL1208 Persuasive Strategies and Rhetorical Traditions no later than the end of their second year. The 3000-level requirements and senior seminar should be completed in the final two years. All other courses should be scheduled in consultation with the student's departmental advisor.
Requirements for Departmental Minor in Literature
- ENGL1208 Persuasive Strategies and Rhetorical Traditions
- Four additional literature courses chosen in consultation with the department chair.
At least one course must be at the 3000-level.
The literature minor is available to non-English majors only.