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, and 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 majors: Literature; or Creative Writing.

The English and World Literature: Literature Major at Pitzer

Coursework in the Literature major 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 Major 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 walks through that door, arriving at a
room we could never have predicted alone.

Requirements for the Literature Major

A major in English and World Literature requires the satisfactory completion of ten (10) courses, which may include senior seminars and independent study courses. 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.

• Engl 1. Introduction to Literary Theory
• One course in British Literature before 1780
• One course in British Literature after 1780
• One course in American Literature
• One course in Twentieth-Century American Literature or World Literature
• Five elective courses in literature or creative writing

Requirements for the Creative Writing Major

• Engl 1. Introduction to Literary Theory
• Engl 30. Introduction to Creative Writing
• One course in Twentieth Century and/or World Literature
• Three creative writing courses, at least one of which should be in a genre
• outside the student’s primary focus
• One course in British Literature
• One course in American Literature
• On elective course in literature or another discipline that influences the
• student’s creative work
• Engl 130. Advanced Creative Writing

Requirements for the Combined Major

A combined major in English and World Literature requires the satisfactory completion of at least seven courses, including a senior project, thesis, or Independent Study in which the constituent fields of the major are interrelated:
• Engl 1. Introduction to Literary Theory
• One course in British Literature
• One course in American Literature
• One course in Twentieth-Century and/or World Literature
• Two elective literature or creative writing courses
• Senior project, thesis, or Independent Study in which the constituent fields of the major are interrelated.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in English and World Literature requires the satisfactory completion of six graded courses:
• Engl 1. Introduction to Literary Theory
• One course in British Literature
• One course in American Literature
• One course in Twentieth-Century and/or World Literature
• Two elective literature courses

Honors: Students in either major track with at least 3.50 GPA (cumulatively and in EWL) will be invited to write a Senior Thesis to be reviewed by all EWL faculty for Honors upon graduation.

Senior Thesis: Students in either major track not eligible for Honors may petition the field group to write a Senior Thesis by submitting a thesis proposal in the fall semester of their senior year.

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.

Pitzer Advisers: Brent Armendinger, Sumangala Bhattacharya, Laura Harris, Edith Vasquez.

English and World Literature in Pitzer College course catalogue