English and World Literature

Through literature we experience other lives and learn to read our own as we grapple with the social and ethical implications of the knowledge we acquire. 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.

Coursework in the English and World 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. Abilities gained in coursework are essential for other academic disciplines (and many English and World Literature majors pursue double majors and concentrations in other fields) and are also indispensable for graduate study and for careers in many fields (for instance, art, law, journalism, education, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, business, advertising, and creative and professional writing).

Requirements for the Major

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

There are two tracks for the major: Literature; and Creative Writing.

English and World Literature

  • 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 English and World literatures

English and World Literature: Creative Writing

  • Engl 1. Introduction to Literary Theory
  • One course in British Literature that best enhances the student’s creative orientation
  • One course in American Literature that best enhances the student’s creative orientation
  • Engl 30. Introduction to Creative Writing (may be repeated for credit)
  • Engl 130. Advanced Creative Writing (may be repeated for credit)
  • Two literature courses in the genre of the greatest significance for the student’s primary field of creative interest
  • Two creative writing courses (may be Independent Study)
  • Engl 199a or b. Senior Seminar in Creative Writing

Combined Major: A combined major in English and World Literature requires the
satisfactory completion of at least seven 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
  • A project, thesis, senior seminar, or independent study in which the constituent fields of the major are interrelated.

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 the Literature 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. Students in Creative Writing who meet the above GPA requirements may also qualify for Honors if their senior projects are of sufficiently outstanding quality.

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 Advisors: Brent Armendinger, Sumangala Bhattacharya, Laura Harris, Ntongela Masilela, Edith Vasquez, Al Wachtel.

English and World Literature in Pitzer College course catalogue