Comparative Literature

Course Information

Program Overview

Assumption’s English major with a concentration in literature allows you to study works of a wide variety of periods, genres, and formats including film, audio, and websites. Join the ongoing conversation with these works, as well as part of the creation of new critical and imaginative texts of all kinds - written, visual and electronic. The ability to read, write, think, and speak effectively will serve you well in the classroom and in your career.

Don’t just study literature, experience it:

Perform in College-sponsored theatrical productions.
Explore cultural venues with professors and students such as theater or museums.
Travel through Ireland or England over spring break with other English majors and enjoy having your professors as “tour guides.”
Publish your work in Thoreau's Rooster, a journal of undergraduate creative non-fiction, or Muse, a journal of undergraduate fiction, poetry and art.
Write for the campus newspaper, Le Provocateur
Write and edit for broadcast at state-of-of the-art media facilities such as WCUW, a local radio station, or ACTV, Assumption College's own television station.
Participate in Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.

Degree Requirements

Students who concentrate in literature take a minimum of 10 courses in the English department culminating in an in-depth capstone seminar.

All literature and writing classes concentrate on helping students read critically and empathetically, write and speak clearly and effectively, ask ethical questions about literature and its implications for their values and ways of being in the world, gain a more informed and global understanding of cultural and historical differences, and become lifelong active and engaged learners. Students in literature are urged to do an internship during their junior or senior years.

Required Courses:

English Composition
Introduction to Literature
Approaches to Media Analysis
Approaches to Reading and Interpretation
Survey of British Literature: Beginnings to the 18th Century
Survey of British Literature: 19th Century to the Present
Survey of American Literature: Beginnings to the Present
Capstone Senior Seminar

Writing Unit (choose 1):

Argument and Persuasion
Introduction to Journalism
Writing Workshop: Autobiography
Special Topics in Writing and Mass Communications
Special Topics in Journalism
Creative Writing
Writing Workshop: Fiction
Writing Workshop: Drama
Writing Workshop: Poetry
Creative Nonfiction
Writing and Editing

Electives for literature (choose 5):

At least one 300-level class in literature written before 1800
At least one course in writing by historically under-represented groups, such as African-American, Latino or post-colonial writers
Three additional courses among department offerings.

Required courses for English literature minor (6 courses)

English Composition and Introduction to Literature (do not count toward 6 courses)
3 literature courses
at least one writing course at the 200-level or above

Faculty

In addition to their excellent teaching credentials, the English faculty interests blend the practical and the scholarly, which results in a rich classroom environment. Our teachers are also mentors and get to know students individually. Faculty advisors assist students with everything from course selection to exploring their career opportunities.

	Paul Ady Associate Professor of English
	Christopher Beyers Associate Professor of English
	Kristen Carella Associate Professor of English
	Becky DiBiasio Associate Professor of English
	Mary DiDomenico Visiting Assistant Professor
	Shahara Drew Visiting Assistant Professor of English
	John Hodgen
	Lucia Knowles Professor of English
	Michael Land Assistant Professor of English
	James Lang Professor of English, Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Assumption
	Rachel Ramsey, Ph.D. Associate Professor of English
	Paul Shields Associate Professor of English
	David Thoreen Professor of English

Courses

English courses help students read critically and empathetically, write and speak clearly and effectively, ask ethical questions about literature and its implications for their values and ways of being in the world, gain a more informed and global understanding of cultural and historical differences, and become lifelong active and engaged learners. English students are urged to do an internship during their junior or senior years.

Critical Interpretations

Approaches to Reading and Interpretation
Literature of Social Responsibility
Introduction to Peace Studies
Non-violent Tradition in Literature
Women in Literature:
Women’s Studies: Images
Literature by American Women of Color
Post-Colonial Literature

Writing and Mass Communications

Speech
Writing Workshop: Argument and Persuasion
Introduction to Journalism
Creative Writing
Introduction to Film Studies
Film and Literature
Introduction to Media Analysis
Magazine Writing
Writing Workshop: Fiction
Writing Workshop: Poetry
Writing Workshop: Drama
Writing and Editing
Creative Nonfiction
American Film Since 1940

Genres

Introduction to Poetry
Modern Short Story
Introduction to Theatre
Gothic Literature
Fantasy Literature
Children’s Literature
The Art of the Novel

Historical Perspectives

Survey of British Literature: Beginnings to the 18th Century
Survey of British Literature: 19th Century to Present
Survey of American Literature: Beginnings to the Present
Major American Writers
Arthurian Legend
Chaucer
Medieval Literature
Old English
Beowulf
Renaissance Literature
Shakespeare’s Comedies and Romances
Shakespeare’s Tragedies
Shakespeare’s English History Plays
Donne and His Contemporaries
Milton
Special Topics in 17th century Literature
18th Century English Novel
Romanticism
19th-Century British Novel
Victorian Poetry
The 1920s
Modern British Drama
Modern British Novel
Contemporary British Drama
Contemporary British Novel
Irish Drama
Contemporary Irish Literature
19th Century American Literature
20th Century American Novel
Contemporary Poetry
20th Century American Drama
Special Topics in American Literature
Contemporary Women’s Poetry

Seminars/Independent Studies

Independent Study
Workshop in the Teaching of English
Senior Seminar: Literature
Senior Seminar: Writing and Mass Communications

Other considerations for English courses:

There are other interesting English electives available through Assumption College’s participation in the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. Assumption students can cross register for courses at 11 other institutions in the Worcester region.

Internships & Outcomes

Internships

English majors are strongly encouraged to gain career experience and course credit through an internship in their field of interest during their junior or senior year. Internships for academic credit give students practical, hands-on experience, allowing them to explore their career choices before graduating.

The English Department at Assumption College offers internships at more than 70 professional sites in central Massachusetts. Students can intern with publishing companies, newspapers, magazines, nonprofit organizations, theaters, radio stations, television stations, political organizations, internet providers, public relations groups, and advertising agencies.

Kathleen Knox

Kathleen Knox
Double major in Secondary Education and English Literature '17
Internship: Student Teacher in a 7th grade classroom at Forest Grove Middle School

"Student teaching has taught me how to adjust based on student needs, and how to manage a classroom on my own. My experience has showed me that real classroom experience is the only thing that can really show you what teaching is actually like. I could not have accomplished any of my growth and progress without the help of the education department here at Assumption."

Cassandra Mizzoni
Double major in Secondary Education and English Literature ‘17
Internship: Student Teacher at Burncoat Middle School

“ I taught a 7th grade, honors 8th grade, and a 7th grade ELL/special ed inclusion class. With all of the microteaching exercises, CSLs, and pre-practicum experiences I’ve had at Assumption, it felt very comfortable to get in front of a class every day and transition into being a teacher. I've learned that working closely with experts in the field is an extremely valuable experience.”

Current and recent internships include:

WGBH Boston offers internships in writing, production, and public relations for programs including The Antiques Roadshow, The American Experience and This Old House.
The American Cancer Society offers internships in writing, editing, public relations, community development, and educational liaison.
Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau interns write press releases, interview public figures and celebrities, work to develop special events and festivals.
WHDH-TV 7 Boston offers internships in newsroom writing, including feature stories, sports and entertainment broadcasting, cyber-journalism, public relations and editing.
PULSE Magazine offers internships in journalism, marketing, editing, and public relations.
Boston Globe offers journalism and online web journalism, layout and design, and editing.
Worcester Telegram and Gazette offers writing and editing opportunities in every department.
WAAF offers training in broadcasting, public relations, writing, and advertising.
Davis Publishing offers interns a choice of editing, graphic design, public relations, and technical writing opportunities.
Local public and private schools provide aspiring teachers with opportunities to develop classroom management skills and share their passions for English literature with their students.

Careers and Graduate Schools

English majors with a concentration in literature are successful employees due to their top-notch analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills. They also pursue graduate degrees in literature, law, communications, higher education administration, and business.

Our graduates find careers in:

Nonprofit Agencies
Television/Radio/Website Communications
Public Relations
Advertising
Journalism
Publishing
Human Resources
Teaching
Business

Recent positions include:

Editorial Producer, MLB.com (The Web site of Major League Baseball)
Teacher and literacy specialist, Churchill School and Center, New York City
Production Editor, SchoolArts Magazine, Davis Publications
Public Relations Manager, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem MA
Communications Coordinator, Consigli Construction Company
Director of Development, The Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation

Academics