English Literature
Close reading, interpretation, and the craft of language.
English literature studies texts, novels, poetry, drama, essays, closely and critically, developing skill at interpretation, argument, and understanding how language creates meaning. Coursework spans historical periods, genres, and critical approaches.
Most programs are discussion- and writing-intensive, with frequent papers that ask you to build and defend an original interpretive argument, and many culminate in an extended thesis or research project on an author, period, or theme of your choosing.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Introduction to Literary Analysis
- ✓British Literature (survey)
- ✓American Literature (survey)
- ✓Literary Theory & Criticism
- ✓Shakespeare
- ✓World Literature
- ✓Genre or Period Seminar (e.g., 19th-century novel)
- ✓Senior Thesis or Capstone
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Introduction to Literary Analysis
- +General education requirement
- ✓British Literature (survey)
- +General education requirement
- ✓American Literature (survey)
- +General education requirement
- ✓Literary Theory & Criticism
- +Free elective
- ✓Shakespeare
- +Free elective
- ✓World Literature
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Genre or Period Seminar (e.g., 19th-century novel)
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Senior Thesis or Capstone
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Loves reading and thinking deeply about texts
- ★Enjoys writing and refining arguments
- ★Comfortable with ambiguity and multiple interpretations
- ★Curious about language, culture, and history through literature
Common minors & double-major pairings
History · Philosophy · Foreign Language
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
UX Writer / Content Designer
Writes the words inside a product, buttons, error messages, onboarding, that guide users.
Content Strategist
Plans what content an organization creates and why, across channels.
Copywriter
Writes persuasive text for ads, marketing, and brand messaging.
Journalist / Reporter
Researches, verifies, and reports news and stories to the public.
Technical Writer
Writes documentation that explains how a product or system works.
Secondary School Teacher
Teaches a specific subject to middle or high school students.
Frequently asked questions
What is a English Literature major?
Close reading, interpretation, and the craft of language.
What courses do English Literature majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Introduction to Literary Analysis, British Literature (survey), American Literature (survey), among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a English Literature program?
English Literature coursework typically builds skills like Close reading and textual analysis, Constructing and defending written arguments, Understanding historical and cultural context of texts, Research and synthesis of secondary sources.
Is English Literature a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Loves reading and thinking deeply about texts" or "Enjoys writing and refining arguments" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a English Literature degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like UX Writer / Content Designer, Content Strategist, Copywriter. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with English Literature?
Common minor or double-major pairings include History, Philosophy, Foreign Language.
How is English Literature different from Creative Writing?
They're related but distinct. English Literature: Close reading, interpretation, and the craft of language. Creative Writing: Crafting original fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a English Literature degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
From our guides
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/english-literature