Language is at the heart of our mission as a department. We aim to foster creation and critical analysis of cultural texts, including visual media and literary works, and to guide students toward a complex understanding of the personal, social, cultural, historical, political, economic, and institutional contexts in which these texts are produced and interpreted.

Offerings include closely-linked courses in Literature and Film, Media and Culture, and Writing and Communication. The department’s Media and Culture Program, supported by state-of-the-art Media and Culture Labs and Studios, reflects our commitment to promoting intellectual inquiry and creativity through students’ engagement with theoretical principles, experiential learning, and media production. In support of academic and creative activity across the campus, the department also houses the Creative Writers and Artists Forum, Writing Center, and ESOL Center, and co-sponsors the International Film Series.

Our curriculum aims to develop an increased capacity for

• analyzing and thinking critically about diverse cultural texts
• enhancing self-knowledge and self-expression
• evaluating and appreciating the artistic and stylistic features of texts
• telling stories through various media
• communicating clearly and persuasively
• acquiring and documenting information according to accepted ethical standards

Students may choose a Major in Media and Culture, which includes hands-on media production courses, or students may design a Major in Liberal Arts with a concentration in English. Both of these majors are designed to prepare students for careers or graduate programs that value analytical skills, communicative ability, and a broad knowledge of media, arts, and culture.