Literature, Media, and Writing (formerly English)

Faculty

• Ranjan Adiga
• Eileen Chanza Torres
• Georgiana Donavin (Chair)
• Christopher LeCluyse
• Lance Newman

Literature, Media, and Writing Courses

Program Goals

• Generate Effective Written and Oral Communication
  • Creatively and effectively practice writing and revision across a variety of genres
  • Locate, evaluate, and synthesize secondary sources and integrate them with analyses of texts and media
  • Collaborate with peers to give and receive constructive feedback on writing

• Closely Analyze Texts and Media
  • Closely analyze texts and media from a range of periods and genres and generate written and spoken arguments about them supported by evidence and reasoning
  • Understand the social foundation and functions of language and media and their effects on communication
  • Develop interpretations and evaluations of texts and media through discussion with others

• Understand Literary and Media History and Their Contexts
  • Demonstrate awareness of the width and breadth of Literature, Media, and Writing and the ability to make informed connections across these fields
  • Understand how literature and media emerge from, respond to, and influence various historical, cultural, and political contexts
  • Understand the role of race, class, gender, sexuality, and other categories of identity in how authors produce and how readers interpret texts and media

• Engage with Contemporary Literary and Critical Discourses
  • Read and interpret literary and theoretical texts in relation to one another
  • Critically approach contemporary literary and theoretical discourses
  • Develop self-awareness by questioning biases and embracing diverse perspectives in reading, viewing, and writing

Objectives

Students who major in Literature, Media, and Writing (LMW) learn how to read and analyze literature and media across periods, cultures, and genres. They develop evidence-supported written and spoken arguments. They research literature's historical and intersectional relationship with media, including oral, manuscript, print, film, and digital texts and media. They evaluate aspects of identity such as race, class, gender, and sexuality in the creation and interpretation of texts. Creative writing students take workshops in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting--preparation for publishing their own work. LMW majors succeed in many careers, not only in education and publishing, but in government, business, law, and health sciences.

Program Highlights

• The LMW program publishes a national literary magazine, ellipsis, each April. Editors and staff are students enrolled in LMW 326 and LMW 327 (1 credit each).
• LMW students may work in the Writing Center, where they gain experience in teaching writing through individual consultations.
• LMW courses offer unique opportunities for both creative and academic writing in a variety of media.
• The LMW program houses Film Studies, encouraging interdisciplinary projects in film and literature.

Program Requirements

Majors must complete one LMW WCore course as well as two required lower-division LMW courses (LMW 222 and 223) as prerequisites for upper-division courses. Upper-division LMW courses are grouped into four categories: Periods and Movements, Language and Media, Theory, and Writing. Some courses fit multiple categories and will count toward whichever category is not already met or as electives if other categories are already fulfilled. Majors pursuing the literary studies emphasis must complete two Periods and Movements courses, one Language and Media course, one Theory course, and one Writing course. Majors pursuing the creative writing emphasis must complete two Periods and Movements courses, one Language and Media course, and one Theory course. Additional requirements are outlined in the tables below.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA in courses required for the majors.

Students must meet the university-wide graduation requirements in addition to the LMW major:

• 124 total hours
• 30 upper-division hours
• WCore or Honors College requirements

Literature, Media, and Writing Major with Literary Studies Emphasis

Recommended Plan of Study for Literature, Media, and Writing with Literary Studies Emphasis

Literature, Media, and Writing Major with Creative Writing Emphasis

Recommended Plan of Study for Literature, Media, and Writing with Creative Writing Emphasis

Literature, Media, and Writing Minor