Literary Studies

Students interested in Literary Studies explore the curriculum by taking introductory courses in Writing and in Literature and Critical Analysis. They may then choose a concentration in one of these disciplines; some do both. All Literary Studies students take two core courses examining selected texts from the ancient to the contemporary world by junior year. These courses provide all majors with a common language and literary experience.

Major requirements

Concentration in Writing at Lang

In Lang's Writing concentration, you study the craft and technique of writing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction through carefully designed courses. Students interested in journalism are encouraged to consider Journalism + Design. 

The final semester of students in Lang's Writing Concentration is dedicated to intensive capstone work in your chosen genre and courses in a secondary genre. All writing courses are taught by practicing writers with national reputations, and are based on the following assumptions:

• Writing is a liberal art.
• Writers are, above all, readers.
• Close study of each genre's aesthetic, critical, and historical concepts is essential.
• Writers have a vital relationship to society, culture, and nature that should be explored and expressed through their art.

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Literature and Critical Analysis Concentration

In the Literature and Critical Analysis concentration, we study great works past and present, acquiring a broad knowledge of literary history, theory, and criticism. Choosing your own path, you develop advanced skills as a reader, writer, and analytical thinker, in preparation for an independent research essay in your final semester. All literature courses are taught by scholars with national reputations in their field and are based on the following assumptions:

• Reading is a creative act. 
• Literature is a print or manuscript archive of the verbal arts, open to all readers.
• Criticism heightens our experience of the verbal arts and contributes to knowledge.
• Engaging with works of literature deepens our understanding of the world.

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Connecting to New York City

While it offers the atmosphere and intimacy of a small college, Eugene Lang College is part of The New School, a major progressive university in New York City. Literary Studies students attend literary readings around the city and take advantage of publishing and writing internships and opportunities to work with professional writers and editors in the nation's literary capital. Additional exposure to the city's vast resources occurs through excursions to archives and class visits by respected local writers, publishers, archivists.

Career Paths

Literary Studies majors go on to work for publishing companies, magazines, websites, and libraries. They pursue careers in writing, nonprofit organizations, journalism, bookselling,  educational institutions, and advanced studies in English, comparative literature, and creative writing.

Consult our 4-Year Lang Career Pathways Map (PDF) for helpful steps and resources to link your academic journey to your future plans. If you are planning to go on to graduate study, consider applying to the Bachelor's-Master's program, which enables you to earn graduate credits that will apply to both your Lang degree and a master's degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism or in Liberal Studies at The New School for Social Research. 

Outcomes at Lang