ChooseWhy Choose This Program?
Why Study Literature at Goucher?
Literary studies’ comprehensive core includes textual analysis, literary theory, and American, British, and international fiction. We also encourage students to tailor the program to their own interests and incorporate classes from other disciplines.
With the benefit of small class sizes, faculty provide individualized instruction and mentoring, with one-on-one advising to help you choose the courses best suited to your ambitions. Additionally, our faculty are active scholars and researchers, with substantial work in their respective disciplines.
LearnWhat Will You Learn?
What Will You Learn?
In reading historical, American, and international literature, you will hone your skills in recognizing recurrent themes, tropes, and images. It will teach you how to prioritize (which of these patterns matter and why?) and interpret (if this matters to the text, what can be learned from it?). Unlike other art forms in which your view is from the outside, in literature your eye is the narrative’s "I" and you discover what it is like to see from the perspective of someone else. Learn More
DoWhat Will You Do?
What Will You Do?
Beyond your major, publishing, teaching, law, library science, and other careers draw upon the skills you will gain from critical thinking. Our emphasis on textual analysis is also useful when paired with political or business interests and even medical research; our literary studies Race, Power, and Perspective courses relate to community activism, international development, and humanitarianism; and our specialized work in seeing from other points of view is an asset in any field in which you need to collaborate.
Course Curriculum
Faculty
Program Contact
April Oettinger, Department Chair, Associate Professor of Visual & Material Culture
Full-Time & Half-Time Faculty
Leslie Lewis, Professor of English
April Oettinger, Department Chair, Associate Professor of Visual & Material Culture
Antje Rauwerda, Associate Professor of English: Third Culture Literature (The Literature of Writers Raised Abroad); Postcolonial Literature, Contemporary International Writing in English, British Literature
Angelo Robinson, Associate Professor of English: African American literature, American Literature, American studies, gender and sexuality
Juliette Wells, Professor of English: Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British literature; the novel; women's writing; Jane Austen
Professor Emeritus or Emerita or Emeriti
Jeffrey Myers, Associate Professor of English: Shakespeare and the Visual Arts in
the Renaissance
Arnold Sanders, Associate Professor of English: Medieval literature, expository writing, literary theory, archives
Study Abroad
By studying abroad, choosing three-week intensive courses led by Goucher faculty or semester programs suited to their academic plans, Goucher students of literary studies gain a global perspective that enhances their course of study.
Visit the Office of Global Education website for more information.
Opportunities & Internships
Internships
Internships help students explore possibilities, apply classroom learning, and gain experience. Explore internships and credit options.
Students studying literary studies often do internships that involve the application of knowledge and skills in composition, language, and literature, typically in editing, publishing, journalism, radio and television, advertising, and public relations. These students often work for businesses, professional firms, and government agencies. Credit for off-campus experience is available in some cases to students working for the college newspaper.
The variety of internships that have been completed under the supervision of this program is evidence of the flexible and creative applicability of degrees in literary studies. Students find internship opportunities through the Career Education Office, through faculty and staff members, or on their own.
Students interested in arranging an internship in literary studies should contact
their individual academic advisors.
Preface
Preface is a student-run and reviewed literature and art magazine. Its past includes beautiful
and expressive works, name changes, and, at one point, nearly ending completely. With
the work of a few dedicated individuals over the decades, Preface has survived as a medium of student expression for Goucher College.
Student Employment
Student employment connects students to both on and off-campus opportunities. The Career Education Office provides resources and support to students with or without Federal Work Study to find jobs, submit applications, and learn more about the job search process. Students have access to Handshake — a website for job postings, events, resumes/cover letters, and career management.
Major & Career Exploration
Exploring career options, choosing a major, and making career decisions is a multi-step process in which all students are encouraged to engage early and often. Goucher students have a variety of resources available through the Majors and Career page to assist them in this process.
Job Search
A Goucher education prepares students for today’s job market and beyond. Students can explore job opportunities and access job search resources through the CEO Job Search page.
Graduate & Professional School
Students access resources for searching and applying to graduate and professional school through the CEO Graduate and Professional School page, through faculty and staff members, or utilizing their own resources, network and tools.
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School 4+1 BA/MS Program
Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School are offering Goucher students a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This 4+1 program combines a bachelor’s degree from Goucher with a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins in business analytics and risk management, information systems, health care management, finance, or marketing. Students can apply during their junior year. GRE or GMAT tests have been waived but applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and have passed some quantitative reasoning courses with a grade of B or better.
Alumni Spotlight
Camden Kimura '12
Literary Studies
Read My Story“Learning how to research very quickly was one of the most critical skills I learned in the English Program that I apply to my job.”