Literature, BA
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Program Description
Introduction
The program in Literature (LITT) asks majors to consider diverse literary heritages. Course offerings encompass British, European, American, and global literatures from the ancient world to the twenty-first century, as well as creative writing. The program is at once skills-based, emphasizing critical thinking and writing, and committed to the interdisciplinary study of literature as a serious intellectual pursuit.
The program offers many opportunities for students interested in creative writing, including studying poetry, fiction, flash fiction, spoken word, playwriting, and other genres and forms. They can also participate in the editorial board and/or contribute writing to the student-run literary journal Stockpot. Students may also participate in workshops with visiting writers from both the Visiting Writers Series and the International Visiting Writer in Residence and compete for annual writing awards. We also encourage students to attend the various Visiting Writers Series readings that highlight local and national writers.
Our program also emphasizes new media research and digital media production and offers students opportunities to participate in faculty-led digital scholarships. Students are also encouraged to participate in the South Jersey Culture & History Center, devoted to the study and dissemination of texts connected with South Jersey, and the Stockton Text Center, which enables students to work with primary, and mainly unpublished, materials through internships.
Program Organization
The program is composed of five concentrations: Literary Studies, Creative Writing, Theatre/English, K12/Secondary English Certification, and the Dual Degree in Literature (B.A.) and American Studies (M.A.). Three core courses are common to all concentrations: LITT 1100 Introduction to Literature, Introduction to Research in Literature (LITT 3123), and Senior Seminar (LITT 4610). Students may take LITT 1100 and LITT 2123 concurrently with permission of the instructor.
In all concentrations, students will learn how to read texts critically, how to identify the qualities of the traditional genres in Western literature, how to complete literary research using printed and electronic sources, and how to recognize continuity and paradigm shifts in literature. Most students will also study the three main streams of Western literature—European, British, and American. As juniors and seniors, students will enroll in upper-level courses where they will be required to synthesize their knowledge.
Note: Most LITT 2000- and 3000-level courses are without prerequisites, and thus open to all students, regardless of major. Introduction to Literature (LITT 1100) is a prerequisite for Introduction to Research in Literature (LITT 3123) and for Senior Seminar (LITT 4610). All Literature majors are encouraged to have a Literature faculty member as their primary preceptor.
Admission to the Program
The program is open to any student with an interest in literature, creative writing, theatre, or secondary English certification. There are no specific entrance requirements beyond acceptance to the University. Students in the K12/Secondary English Certification concentration should consult with the EDUC program for complete application and licensure requirements including a state-mandated basic skills test.
The primary medium of the program is language; the faculty assumes that those wishing to pursue a Literature degree will be proficient in their own use of language—reading, writing and speaking—since courses in Literature demand a substantial exercise of these skills.
Students wishing to major in the program are encouraged to declare their intentions by the beginning of their sophomore year, if possible, but definitely before the beginning of their junior year. Students intending to major in Literature, including transfer students, should consult with a faculty member of the program. That person will describe requirements and may recommend a preceptor.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the 64-credit General Studies requirement, the non-transfer student must satisfactorily complete 64 credits in the Literature program and cognate studies to qualify for the degree in Literature. All transfer students must complete a minimum of 16 credits in Literature courses at Stockton, regardless of how many credits were accepted by the program when they transferred to Stockton. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses counted toward the 64 program credits required for graduation. Students in the Secondary English Certification concentration should consult with the EDUC program for complete graduation and licensure requirements.
Students pursuing K-12 teaching certifications must meet the requirements of the Literature program and the Education program, along with other State-mandated requirements. This may necessitate more than the minimum 128 credit hours for completion. Students should consult the School of Education for a full explanation of certification requirements. Students with a declared Secondary English Certification concentration will be assigned a second preceptor from the EDUC program.
Literature Minor
The Literature program offers a minor for students who are interested in literature but are majoring in another field.
Senior Seminar and/or Senior Project
Senior Seminar is the normal capstone course for all majors. The Senior Seminar devotes the first portion of the term to instruction/discussion and the last to the development of a substantial research paper or creative/scholarly project. Students present their capstone projects at the end of the semester, with LITT faculty and students invited to attend. Senior Project is an alternative to Senior Seminar for the Creative Writing and Theatre/English concentrations; students interested in this alternative must first find a Literature faculty member to oversee the project, then write a proposal, which must be approved by the program.
The Concentrations
The program offers five concentrations: Literary Studies, Creative Writing, Theatre/English, K12/Secondary English Certification, and the Dual Degree in Literature (B.A.) and American Studies (M.A.). Each of these concentrations is a sequence of courses drawn from this program and from other programs in the University that prepare students for a range of careers.
The Literary Studies Concentration
Literature is the central focus of this concentration. The concentration aims to prepare students for a variety of professions in which critical analysis, close reading and strong writing skills are valued, such as publishing, advertising, journalism, education, business, web-based communications, civil service and non-profit, and higher education administration, and for graduate work in English studies or related fields (cultural studies, rhetoric and composition, library and information studies, law, etc.). The concentration assumes that such students need a curriculum of breadth over all types and periods of literature and depth in various periods, authors or theoretical approaches.
In addition to the common core (Introduction to Literature, Introduction to Research in Literature and Senior Seminar, the latter two of which must be taken at Stockton), students must complete seven literature electives (at least four LITT courses, 16 credits, must be 3000-level or higher), and the following:
Languages & Culture Studies Requirement
LITT majors with a Literary Studies concentration must choose one of the following four options to complete the Languages & Culture Studies requirement:
Option 1: The student completes the study of one language through the Intermediate II level, or two languages through the Beginning II level with a grade of C or better. (4-16 credits)
Option 2: The student completes one of the following interdisciplinary culture studies minors: Africana Studies, Disability Studies, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin and Caribbean Studies, or Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. (Minor requirements: 20-21 credits)
Option 3: The student completes one semester of study abroad. Credit transfer varies.
Option 4: The student “tests out” of the Languages & Culture Studies requirement by achieving a score of “Intermediate Mid” or higher on the ACTFL oral proficiency exam.
For information on testing consult the ACTFL website.
Cognates
These are courses in other ARHU programs (ARTV, COMM, DANC, HIST, LANG, MUSC, PHIL, THTR) or in closely related disciplines outside ARHU, determined in consultation with a program preceptor. G-courses will not be considered cognates. Electives can be any additional LITT course.
The Creative Writing Concentration
This concentration is designed for students who are interested in developing creative writing skills. Students choosing this concentration take, in addition to literature courses, a variety of creative writing courses to develop their style, technique, and range of writing.
In addition to the common core (Introduction to Literature, Introduction to Research in Literature and Senior Seminar, the latter two of which must be taken at Stockton), students must complete a sequence of courses in creative writing.
LITT 2000-level Fiction Elective*
LITT 2000-level Poetry Elective
*transfer versions of this course will be used to meet Introduction to Creative Writing requirements unless student would like to count it as a creative writing elective.
Choose at least three advanced LITT creative writing workshops, see Degree Works for details.
Creative Writing Electives:
Select one W1 electives in creative writing visit the website for a full list of approved electives.
*Note: Many W1 G-courses may also fulfill the Creative Writing Elective requirement but will count as G-courses in the General Studies area of the student’s curriculum; the student will need to take additional LITT Elective/Cognates to meet the 64-credit LITT requirement. Approved courses include but are not limited to the following:
GAH 1124 - Introduction to Screenwriting
GAH 2260 - Humor Writing
GAH 3611 - Creative Nonfiction Workshop
GAH 4611 - Advanced Creative Nonfiction Workshop
GIS 3307 - Why Poetry Matters
GAH 3613 - Writer Editor Workshop
GSS 3282 - Writing the Travel Story
GAH 3301 - Spiritual Autobiography
GAH 3604 - The Personal Essay
GEN 3612 - Writing About Nature
GAH 3654 - The Writing Life
Four 3000-level reading courses (4 credits may be taken at 2000 level).
Languages & Culture Studies Requirement
Literature majors with a Creative Writing concentration must choose one of the following four options to complete the Languages & Culture Studies requirement:
Option 1: The student completes the study of one language through the Beginning II level with a grade of C or better. (This normally calls for two semesters of study in one language.) (4-8 credits)
Option 2: The student completes one of the following interdisciplinary culture studies minors: Africana Studies, Disability Studies, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin and Caribbean Studies, or Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. (Minor requirements: 20-21 credits)
Option 3: The student completes one semester of study abroad. Credit transfer varies.
Option 4: The student “tests out” of the Languages & Culture Studies requirement by achieving a score of “Novice High” on the ACTFL oral proficiency exam or other approved testing option.
For information on testing consult the ACTFL website.
Cognates
These are courses in other ARHU programs (ARTV, COMM, DANC, HIST, LANG, MUSC, PHIL, THTR) or in closely related disciplines outside ARHU, determined in consultation with a program preceptor. G-courses will not be considered cognates.
Electives can be any additional LITT course.
Creative Writing concentration students with a strong project and appropriate academic record may opt for a creative thesis, instead of taking Senior Seminar. The student should first find a Literature faculty member to oversee the project, then write a proposal, which must be approved by the program.
Theatre/English Concentration
Students wishing to combine the study of literature and physical theatre must fulfill two sets of requirements, one in Literature (LITT) and the other in Theatre (THTR). Students wishing to teach high school English and drama should consult the School of Education about requirements for certification/endorsements in that area.
The K-12/Secondary Education English Certification Concentration
This concentration is for students seeking a Literature degree with certification in English for K-12 or Secondary education. Degree completion with English certification requires a minimum of 130-148 credit hours. Students in this concentration must satisfy all Literature program and Teacher Education program requirements. (See section on Teacher Education for complete requirements for teacher licensure.) All students in this concentration should consult both a Literature and an Education preceptor for guidance.
In addition to the common core (Introduction to Literature, Introduction to Research in Literature and Senior Seminar), students must complete the following:
Courses at the 2000 or 3000 level to fulfill the Any Level and Upper-Level requirements listed below. Courses that fulfill one or more of these requirements can be found on the program website and the curriculum worksheet.
LITT majors in the Secondary English Certification concentration must choose one of the following four options to complete the Languages & Culture Studies requirement:
Option 1: The student completes the study of one language through the Intermediate II level or two languages through the Beginning II level with a grade of C or better. (This normally calls for four semesters of study in one language.) (4-16 credits)
Option 2: The student completes one of the following interdisciplinary culture studies minors: Africana Studies, Disability Studies, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin and Caribbean Studies, or Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. (Minor requirements: 20-21 credits)
Option 3: The student completes one semester of study abroad. Credit transfer varies.
Option 4: The student “tests out” of the Languages & Culture Studies requirement by achieving a score of “Intermediate Mid” on the ACTFL oral proficiency exam.
For information on testing consult the ACTFL website.
Cognates
These are courses in other ARHU programs (ARTV, COMM, DANC, HIST, LANG, MUSC, PHIL, THTR) or in closely related disciplines outside ARHU, determined in consultation with a program preceptor. G-courses will not be considered cognates.
Electives can be any additional LITT course.
Required ASD/EDUC
EDUC 2231 Development of the Learner (4 credits)**
EDUC 2241 Inclusive Learning in Education (4 credits)**
EDUC 1515 Diversity in Families, Schools and Communities (4 credits)**
INTC 2610 Instructional Technology for K-12 Educators (4 credits)
EDUC 2000 Gateway to the NJ Teaching Profession (1 credit)***
EDUC 3100 Part-Time Clinical Experience in Education (2 credits)
EDUC 3101 Part-Time Clinical Practice in Education I (2 credits)
EDUC 3200 Practices and Techniques of Teaching (4 credits; W2)
EDUC 4600 Part-Time Clinical Practice in Education II (2 credits)
EDUC 4991 Final Clinical Practice Seminar (2 credits)
EDUC 4992 EDTPA Capstone (2 credits)
Students in this concentration must complete the same W, Q, and H, I, V, A requirements demanded of all undergraduates at Stockton. Students must earn a grade of C or better in professional requirement courses and a grade of B- or better in professional education courses. Consult with the EDUC program for complete application and licensure requirements.
* Or equivalent.
*** Prerequisite for the Clinical Experience Semester course work.
Independent Study
A student may take up to 8 credit hours of independent study in Literature, but no more than 4 credit hours with any one professor.
Literature/American Studies Dual-Degree Program
The Literature Program offers an accelerated dual-degree program that allows Literature majors to earn a B.A. in Literature and M.A. in in American Studies in five years. This intensive academic program of study includes all of the courses within the Literary Studies concentration in the Literature major as well as all of the courses required in the Master of Arts in American Studies program.
Students may apply to the dual degree program upon admission to the University, as first-year or transfer students. Transfer students with over 96 transfer credits should use the “direct entry” application for the M.A. in American Studies. Current students interested in applying for the Literature/American Studies Dual-Degree program should initially enroll in the Literary Studies concentration in the Literature major and then apply to the Dual-Degree Program once they meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements for Currently Enrolled Students:
Minimum of 96 credits
Minimum of 20 credits in LITT courses
Minimum 3.2 GPA in the Literature major
Grade C or better in LITT 1100 and LITT 2123
To apply for enrollment in the Dual-Degree Program in Literature and American Studies, current students should contact the Dual Degree Advisor or the Literature Program Chair.
Like its curriculum, the Dual-Degree Literature (B.A.) and American Studies (M.A.) requirements reflect the program’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Students admitted under this option must follow the Criteria to Maintain Accepted Status requirements.
Criteria to Maintain Accepted Status:
To maintain enrollment students must have a 3.2 program G.P.A. and earn at least a C in two courses, LITT 1100 Introduction to Literature and LITT 2123 Introduction to Research in Literature. Students that fail to maintain any of the requirements will be put on probation for one semester. Reinstatement or mandatory withdrawal from the dual-degree program will occur after all final grades for the probationary term have been submitted.
Students removed from the program after probation may reapply for the dual-degree program once the following criterion are met:
A minimum of 96 credits earned
A minimum of 20 credits earned in the Literature program
A 3.2 GPA in Literature
Grade of C or better in LITT 1100 and LITT 2123.
A minimum grade of C or better is required for all program and cognate courses counted toward the 64 program and cognate credits required for baccalaureate graduation.
To be awarded a graduate degree, a student must have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.0 in courses applied toward the graduate program.
Student may also be eligible to apply for regular admission to the American Studies M.A. program following completion of a baccalaureate degree.
Career Opportunities
Employers today value strong writing, communication, and analytical skills. These skills are the foundation of a B.A. in Literature. Among its career paths, the program prepares students for graduate studies in literature or creative writing; however, the degree may also lead to careers in education, law, journalism, publishing, web-based communications, advertising, public relations, civil service, business, non-profit or higher education administration, or library and information science.
The Literature program encourages its majors to pursue at least one term of study abroad or one term of internship (e.g., the Washington Internship). Of schools not located in the District of Columbia, Stockton has the largest Washington Internship program of any college or university in the country. The full-semester internship for 12 credits can be a useful tool for gaining career experience and contacts. A sample of previous placements for majors in Literature includes internships with United Press International’s Capitol Hill Investigative Reporter, The National Journal, The Hill Rag, and D.C. Public Defender, as well as congressional and executive offices.
Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Literature program website.
