2022-2023 Catalog

Major: English and World Literatures, B.A. (1501), 42 Credits

The English and World Literature major focuses on the study of creative texts across cultures, time periods, and formats to help students understand the world they live in and imagine the world(s) they want to see. Our courses provide practice in close reading, deep analysis, and intersectional thinking, training students to become thoughtful readers of texts, identities, and cultural transformations.

We believe in the power of creative expression to transcend differences, invite empathy with others, and to prepare students for citizenship in the 21st century: our students develop writing, research, and critical thinking skills essential for academic success, as well as professional success beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to individualize their work through independent studies, internships, study abroad, and professional opportunities (like gaining publishing experience on one of our several editorial teams, or shadowing a seasoned teacher as a Teaching Apprentice). By the end of their studies, our majors are well prepared to continue on to graduate school or to pursue careers in law, advertising, communications, creative writing, journalism, public relations, publishing, teaching, and many other fields.

General Education: 42 Credits; Major: 42 Credits; Elective Credits: 36 Credits

Observable learning goals of program:

The English & World Literatures major provides a platform on which students will:

  • Identity how social and historical forces shape language, literature, and identity.
  • Analyze, interpret, and communicate effectively in multiple formats.
  • Question what is familiar in literature and language and propose ways to innovate creatively and intellectually, and to push geographic boundaries.
  • Use language and literature to create meaning, inspire change, and be connected to the world.

Required courses: (9 credits)

EWL 112World Literature: contexts

3

EWL 120World Literature: themes

3

EWL 207Introduction to Theory

3

Literature Concentration (33 Credits)

Required courses: (6 credits)

EWL 302Theory Seminar

3

EWL 490Capstone

3

Language Studies (6 credits)

Students fulfill the Language Studies requirements by taking a foreign language at the appropriate level given previous study.

Perspectives Courses (21 credits)

Historical Perspectives (200 level courses)

6

Thematic/Generic Perspectives (300 level courses)

6

Advanced Perspectives (400 level courses)

3

Electives: any two EWL or CRW courses

6

Literature and Media Concentration (33 Credits)

Required courses: (6 credits)

EWL 302Theory Seminar

3

EWL 490Capstone

3

Required COMM Courses (12 credits)

COMM 131Introduction to Cinema Studies 

3

COMM 227Styles & Genres in Cinema and Television

3

COMM 230Cultural History of Media

3

COMM 312Digital Cultures

3

Choose 3 of The Following EWL Courses (9 credits)

AIP 315Spain in the 1980’s and the Films of Almodóvar (CP, IP)

3

EWL 304Inside Modernism

3

EWL 305The Spanish Inquisition in Literature and Film

3

EWL 307The Visual Memoir

3

EWL 308Trauma in Literature and Film

3

EWL 327Literature and Film Of The Global Portuguese Empire

3

EWL 333Literature and the Visual Arts

3

EWL 345/COMM 345Shakespeare and Film

3

FREN 315French and Francophone Cinema

3

COMM 328/EWL 350Special Topics in Literature and Media

3

Choose 1 Of The Following COMM Courses (3 credits)

COMM 205Journalism in the 21st Century

3

COMM 305Race, Class, and Gender in Media

3

COMM 309/EWL 321Arts & Media Reporting and Criticism

3

COMM 320The American Television Industry 

3

One additional elective from either EWL or COMM at the 200 level or above, or WRIT 310 (3 credits)

WRIT 310Professional Writing Across Disciplines

3

Students must maintain a 2.8 cumulative grade-point average in all courses, and a 3.0 grade-point average in their major.

Honors in the EWL Major (3 additional credits)

During their penultimate semester, EWL majors who have maintained a GPA in the major of 3.5 or higher are invited to apply for an Honors Independent Study (EWL 499) to be taken in their final semester. Students who earn an A or A- in the EWL Honors Independent Study will graduate with honors in the major.