English and World Literature

Through the aesthetic, historical, and theoretical dimensions of literature we learn to read other lives and our own. We learn those lessons best when the literature we study includes the voices of a diverse array of writers and when we are responsive to the ways in which such voices and texts change our conceptions of art, culture and society. Literature stirs us and is stirred by us; it is not something to be experienced at arm's length. For this reason, we encourage our students to practice becoming engaged readers and writers of literature.

We also encourage our students to explore other disciplines, in order to broaden the sources for developing their own writing and critical thinking skills. Abilities gained in coursework are essential for other academic disciplines, are indispensable for graduate study as well as for careers in many fields (for instance, art, law, journalism, education, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, business, advertising, and creative and professional writing). Students may choose from two tracks: Literature or Creative Writing.

Pitzer Advisers: B. Armendinger, S. Bhattacharya, L. Harris, M. Hidalgo.

The English and World Literature: Literature Track at Pitzer

Coursework on the Literature track is designed to develop and improve the student's capacity to engage in meaningful interpretation, creative writing, analytical thought and aesthetic appreciation. Majors and non-majors alike will have the opportunity to gain an awareness of the intellectual and historical contexts of literature while they work to achieve skillful written and oral expression, and to refine critical thinking skills.

The English and World Literature: Creative Writing Track at Pitzer

We believe that student work has meaningful literary and intellectual value, and we foster a supportive community of writers among our students. Through writing exercises, workshops, and intensive reading, students begin to take creative risks in their own writing. The aim of the writer is not to make a precise replica of experience, not to degrade the world in such a way, nor its ever-changing nature, but to build a door. If we are lucky, our readers walk through that door, arriving at a room we could never have predicted alone.

Requirements for the Major in English and World Literature

A major in English and World Literature requires the satisfactory completion of ten (10) courses, which may include independent study courses and a senior thesis/ project. Six (6) courses should be completed prior to the senior year. Majors are also encouraged to attain at least reading knowledge of a language other than English (two years of college-level course). Courses may be taken in any sequence, but it is preferable that Engl 1 is taken early in the student's career.

Literature Track:
• Engl 1. Introduction to Literary Theory
• One course in British Literature before 1780 (Engl 10a strongly recommended)
• One course in British Literature after 1780 (Engl 10b strongly recommended)
• One course in American Literature before 1865 (Engl 11a strongly recommended)
• One course in American Literature after 1865 (Engl 11b strongly recommended)
• One course in World Literature
• Four elective courses in English and/or World Literature, of which two may be creative writing.

Creative Writing Track:
• Engl 1. Introduction to Literary Theory
• Engl 30. Introduction to Creative Writing
• Three creative writing electives, at least one of which should be in a genre outside the student's primary focus.
• Advanced Creative Writing in the student's primary genre.
• One course in British Literature
• One course in American Literature
• One course in British Literature
• One course in World Literature.
• One elective course in literature

Requirements for the Combined Major

A combined major should reḀect a coherent integration of English and World Literature and another discipline. It requires the satisfactory completion of at least seven courses In English and World Literature, including a senior project, thesis, or Independent Study in which the constituent ἀelds of the major are interrelated:

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in English and World Literature requires the satisfactory completion of six graded courses:

AP credit and Transferred Courses
AP credit will be accepted toward graduation (half credit for a score of 4 and full credit for a score of 5), but will not be counted toward the ten courses required for an English and World Literature major. Three college-level transfer courses may be counted toward the major upon approval by the adviser.