Bachelor of Arts in Literary Studies

Great works of literature do more than entertain our minds; they record cultures and explain to future generations what it meant to be human in the writer’s time. People in literary circles are traditionally considered keepers of the world’s stories.

Careers in Literary Studies

Graduates with a degree in literary studies enjoy careers in journalism, advertising or public relations, publishing, editing, grant writing, translating, teaching or working for a nonprofit organization. Others continue to graduate school or law school.

The University’s Career Center is an important resource for students pursuing postgraduate employment. Licensed counselors are available to provide strategies for mastering job interviews, writing professional cover letters and resumes, and connecting with campus recruiters, among other services.

High School Preparation

If you plan to major in literary studies, it may be helpful to complete four units of language arts, including at least one unit of writing skills, and three units of a single foreign language. You may also want to take one or more Advanced Placement (AP) English courses in high school. Classes in creative writing, if offered, may further prepare you for a successful academic career in literary studies.

Literary Studies at UT Dallas

Students who complete the major in literary studies receive a thorough grounding in literary ideas and methods, as well as a broad acquaintance with literatures of different periods and cultures, including literature in translation. Courses in this major are divided into the following groups: literary genres, English and American literature, foreign languages and literature and general literature courses. By selecting courses from a variety of these categories, students are able to combine courses in criticism and interpretation, in writing and translation, and in linguistics and languages. Students may also be certified to teach English and/or history and/or social studies through the University’s Teacher Development Center.

Students may also be certified to teach history and/or social studies and/or English through the UT Dallas Teacher Development Center or by completing a Master of Arts in teaching in humanities.