Literature Concentration
Description
The literature concentration provides students with an in-depth background in British and American literature and a foundation in the methods and practices of literary studies. By taking courses in a variety of literary periods and genres, English majors concentrating in literature gain rich exposure to literary history and to the texts, movements, authors, and cultural forces that constitute it. In addition, students in the literature concentration are trained in analysis and interpretation, the uses of literary theory, and the complex organizational and verbal skills involved in critical writing. In fulfilling the requirements of the concentration, students study literary subjects ranging from Chaucer to Toni Morrison; Shakespeare to the Romantic poets; Milton, Donne and their contemporaries to contemporary drama. Special topics courses are regularly offered in areas such as Lewis Carroll and nonsense literature; Arthurian legends; and race, gender, and cultural studies.
All students concentrating in literature take the Colloquium in Literature (English 376), an introduction to literary studies, close reading, and the theoretical lenses through which literary texts can be viewed (for example, feminist theory, psychoanalytic criticism, new historicism). Students also take literature courses from a range of designated periods: four courses in literature before 1900 (two of which must be in literature before 1800), one in twentieth-century literature, one in American literature, and one in language, theory, cultural, ethnic, or gender studies. The remainder of a student's courses may be taken in any departmental offering, including literature, criticism, film, folklore, rhetoric, language, writing, or either of the department's off-campus drama courses.
The literature concentration offers extensive training in critical thinking, advanced reading and analysis, and oral and written communication. It also addresses questions of artistic production, textuality, culture, values, and communication. For these and other reasons, literature has proved an excellent concentration for students planning careers in law, education, publishing, journal and magazine writing, research, evaluation, advertising, library science, public relations, business, and public service.
Requirements
- English 376
- At least four courses in literature before 1900, including at least two before 1800 (indicated here by asterisks): *301, *401, *402, *404, *405, *406, *409, *410, *411, *412, *413, 414, 415, 416, 419, 420, *431, 432, 433, 435
- One course in American literature: 331, 332, 333, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 441, 442, 443
- One course in twentieth-century literature: 421, 434, 436, 451, 452, 453, 454, 456
- One course in language, theory, cultural, ethnic, or gender studies: 301, 302, 331, 332, 333, 371, 372, 422, 443, 471, 472, 474, 475, 476, 479, 485, 486, 490
- Two or more courses from any of the department's offerings, including criticism, film, folklore, language, literature, rhetoric, and writing