辛辛那提大学

Students in the Literary & Cultural Studies track hone their skills as attentive readers of literature (poems, plays, literary fiction and nonfiction) and other media (films, comics, television shows, songs, and websites, for example), and as writers engaged in literary analysis and cultural criticism. Our students gain knowledge of literary language, form, genres, and histories through study of national, ethnic, and world literatures. They also sharpen their skills as critical thinkers by drawing on various literary, cultural, and interdisciplinary theories—from psychoanalytic theory and post-structuralism to queer theory and the digital humanities—to analyze texts. In doing so, they engage issues involving culture, identity, language, ethics, race, gender, class, and globalism, among many others.

Critical thinking, close reading, and reflective, analytic, and persuasive writing are among the vital skills you can acquire as an LCS student and readily apply to your other courses and your career. Our students also get practice in conducting effective research, which becomes central to projects undertaken in our senior capstone seminars. The typical LCS course strongly encourages a substantial amount of discussion among students as well as with the teacher. Graduates from our program pursue successful careers in areas such as law, education, writing and editing, publishing, library sciences, arts administration, social justice work, public relations, business, and any field where careful and critical reading and effective communication are valued.

Success

The English degree offers unique opportunities for undergraduate students to shape their curriculum according to their interests and future professional goals. All undergraduate students take a core group of courses designed to introduce them to the history, language, and current disciplinary discourses of English studies. Beyond the core courses, students choose a track designed to develop their skills and talents in Creative Writing (Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, Poetry), Literary & Cultural Studies, or Rhetoric & Professional Writing. Undergraduate students can double major in two tracks of English, and can also combine a major in one of the tracks with a certificate in a different track; the program offers certificates in Creative Writing, Professional Writing, and Medical Humanities, and English courses play a role in the curriculum requirements of several interdisciplinary certificates, including Digital Engagement and Film & Media Studies.

Students who pursue a BA in English – Literary & Cultural Studies should desire to build on their strengths in writing, reading, and critical thinking. The Literary & Cultural Studies track is specifically designed for students who wish to hone those skills through the study of literature.

Career

English majors enjoy satisfying careers and admission to graduate programs due to their ability to read closely, writes clearly, research thoroughly, and thinks critically. From first-year composition through senior capstone courses, English students engage a wide range of historical and contemporary texts and subject matter, including global, ethnic, minority, and popular literatures; film and visual media; and scientific and professional writing. Our majors are known and respected for their ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, and find success in such diverse fields as law, business, media, education, publishing, and science. English – Literary & Cultural Studies graduates are well suited for careers in:

• Law
• Education
• Writing and editing
• Publishing
• Library sciences
• Arts administration
• Social justice work
• Public relations
• Business