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: 30 Credits; Major: 42 Credits; Elective Credits: 48 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 112 | Literature and Media Seminar | 3 |
| EWL 120 | Themes in World Literature: Literary NYC | 3 |
| EWL 207 | Introduction to Theory | 3 |
Literature Concentration (33 Credits)
Required courses: (6 credits)
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)
Required COMM Courses (12 credits)
Choose 3 of The Following EWL Courses (9 credits)
| AIP 315 | Spain in the 1980’s and the Films of Almodóvar (CP, IP) | 3 |
| EWL 305 | The Spanish Inquisition in Literature and Film | 3 |
| EWL 307 | The Visual Memoir | 3 |
| EWL 308 | Trauma in Literature and Film | 3 |
| EWL 327 | Literature and Film Of The Global Portuguese Empire | 3 |
| EWL 333 | Literature and the Visual Arts | 3 |
| EWL 345/COMM 345 | Shakespeare and Film | 3 |
| FREN 315 | French and Francophone Cinema | 3 |
| COMM 328/EWL 350 | Special Topics in Literature and Media | 3 |
Choose 1 Of The Following COMM Courses (3 credits)
One additional elective from either EWL or COMM at the 200 level or above, or WRIT 310 (3 credits)
| WRIT 310 | Professional 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.