Major in Literary Studies and the Creative Arts (BA)

Students majoring in Literary Studies and the Creative Arts join a community of scholars, critics, writers and artists. The Major provides a forum within which students relate academic study to their own creative production in literature, drama, and the fine arts. Students gain broad and rigorous knowledge of literature in its historical and geographical contexts. That knowledge is coupled with close analysis of the details of literary production and well-informed attention to linguistic and cultural diversity.

Students are encouraged to shape their insights by exploring related work in other disciplines and to apply their critical and creative skills in a professional internship experience. The flexible, interdisciplinary, student-centered curriculum of the Major in Literary Studies and the Creative Arts facilitates combinations with other majors or minors.

In classes taught by literary and artistic practitioners, students produce original work, develop creative and professional skills, and demonstrate the capacity to reflect upon, analyze, and evaluate their own work. Mentored by faculty and their individual advisor, students develop and articulate a personal focus for their reading and their creative production, which issues in a portfolio combining academic and creative work, and a senior project in the final year.