English and World Literature

Through the aesthetic, historical, and theoretical dimensions of literature we learn to read other lives and our own. We learn those lessons best when the literature we study includes the voices of a diverse array of writers and when we are responsive to the ways in which such voices and texts change our conceptions of art, culture and society. Literature stirs us and is stirred by us; it is not something to be experienced at arm’s length. For this reason, we encourage our students to practice becoming engaged readers and writers of literature.

We also encourage our students to explore other disciplines, in order to broaden the sources for developing their own writing and critical thinking skills. Abilities gained in coursework are essential for other academic disciplines, are indispensable for graduate study as well as for careers in many fields (for instance, art, law, journalism, education, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, business, advertising, and creative and professional writing). Students may choose from two tracks: Literature or Creative Writing.

Pitzer Advisers: B. Armendinger, S. Bhattacharya, L. Harris, A. Lagji.

AP credit and Transferred Courses

AP credit will be accepted toward graduation (half credit for a score of 4 and full credit for a score of 5), but will not be counted toward the ten courses required for an English and World Literature major.

For courses taken prior to Fall 2020, three college-level transfer courses may be counted toward the major with approval by the adviser. During the Academic Year 2020-21, a maximum of one college-level transfer course may be counted toward the major; students must get approval from their English and World Langauge adviser before enrolling.