English, Literary Theory and History Emphasis, BA
As a Literary Theory and History emphasis, you’ll also gain a fundamental understanding of literature’s role in human society, as well as the diverse critical lenses scholars use to interpret and understand literature. How does a Marxist reading of To Kill A Mockingbird enhance the book’s themes and ideas? What about a Feminist interpretation? Or a psychological one? Your studies will culminate with an original work of literary scholarship, as you employ the skills you have refined throughout your time here.
Graduates from our program are well-positioned for competitive master's degrees and Ph.D. programs. Others have gone on to careers in entertainment, tech, law, education, and more.
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Curriculum
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the English Program, students will be able to...
- Engage in informed, active reading, bringing to bear a broad base of literary, historical and cultural knowledge.
- Read critically a wide range of literary texts, with an awareness of the theoretical assumptions behind various interpretive strategies, and the ability to choose appropriate methods of inquiry and to formulate clear questions.
- Apply a variety of reading strategies, combining critical detachment with the intellectual, imaginative, and emotional engagement necessary for appreciation.
- Write clear, well-reasoned prose for a variety of situations (academic, professional, social) for a variety of audiences and support their arguments with appropriate, thoughtfully analyzed evidence.
- Converse articulately about texts and interpretations, understanding that interpretation is often a dialogic, collaborative process.
Saint Mary's Testimonials
The faculty at Saint Mary's definitely changed my life. There was a lot of support that I don't think I would have found in a larger college setting. They grew to know me and what I was capable of. I felt like there was a definite kinship that developed where, however much effort I gave in my classes, my teachers were also supporting my goals.
Amanda Benson, '06
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