Specializations in Literature
Literary Theory
The study of the principles and methodologies applied to the interpretation, evaluation, and analysis of literary texts.
Comparative Literature
The examination and comparison of literature from different cultures and languages, exploring cross-cultural themes and influences.
Creative Writing
The practice and study of writing fiction, poetry, and non-fiction with a focus on both craft and innovation in storytelling.
Postcolonial Literature
The exploration of literature produced in response to postcolonial contexts, examining themes of identity, power, and resistance.
Gender Studies in Literature
The analysis of how gender influences literary texts, both in terms of authorship and representation within literature.
Children's Literature
The study of literature written for children and young adults, focusing on themes, storytelling techniques, and cultural significance.
Ecocriticism
The exploration of literature's relationship with the environment and ecological issues, emphasizing nature and sustainability themes.
Digital Humanities
The use of digital tools and methodologies to analyze literature, encompassing text encoding, data visualization, and interactive platforms.
Literature and Philosophy
The intersection of literary texts and philosophical thought, analyzing how they influence each other and explore fundamental questions.
Cultural Studies
The analysis of literature within the context of cultural phenomena, examining how societal values and cultural identity shape texts.
American Literature
The study of literature produced in the United States, encompassing various genres and historical contexts from colonial times to contemporary works.
British Literature
The examination of works from the British literary tradition, focusing on influential authors and historical movements.
World Literature
The study of global literary texts, emphasizing the diversity of cultural narratives and themes across different societies.
Literature and Trauma
The exploration of how literature represents and processes trauma, focusing on both individual and collective experiences.
Narrative Studies
The analysis of narrative structures, techniques, and forms, emphasizing how stories are told across genres and mediums.
Literature and Psychoanalysis
The examination of literary texts through the lens of psychoanalytic theory, exploring the unconscious motives and conflicts of characters.
Chicana/o Literature
The study of literature produced by Chicana/o writers, addressing issues of identity, culture, and social justice.
Transnational Literature
The exploration of literary works that traverse national boundaries, focusing on themes of migration, diaspora, and cultural exchange.
Historical Fiction
The study of literature that offers fictionalized accounts of historical events, analyzing accuracy, representation, and narrative techniques.
Literature and the Visual Arts
The exploration of the relationship between literature and visual art forms, investigating how they influence and enrich each other.
Feminist Literary Criticism
The analysis of texts from feminist perspectives, focusing on representation, gender dynamics, and the role of female authors.
Autobiographical Writing
The study of literature that draws on personal experiences and reflections, examining issues of identity, memory, and representation.
Dystopian Literature
The examination of literature that depicts imagined societies characterized by oppressive societal control and the exploration of resistance.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Studies
The analysis of speculative literary genres, focusing on world-building, themes of technology, and cultural critique.
Literature and Religion
The study of the interplay between literary texts and religious themes, exploring how faith and belief systems are represented in literature.
Queer Literature
The exploration of literature that addresses LGBTQ+ themes, identities, and experiences, emphasizing representation and cultural critique.