Literature Major Concentrations

The Literature Department offers three concentrations, each providing exposure to a variety of literary traditions and focusing on the mastery of six critical approaches. The concentrations are:

• General Literature:

Broad exposure to a variety of world literary traditions.

• Language Literature:

Study of literature within the framework of particular languages or national and regional traditions, studied in the original language. Enrollment in upper-division language literature courses normally requires language proficiency at the third-year college level.

French literature

The study of French and Francophone literatures, languages, and cultural practices of France, Africa, and the Caribbean.

German literature

The study of the literature, language, and cultural practices of the German-speaking areas of central Europe including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Greek and/or Latin literature

The study of the literature, languages, and cultural practices of ancient Greece and Rome. Students may choose to concentrate in Greek or Latin or both.

Italian literature

The study of Italian literature, language, and cultural practices from the Middle Ages to the present.

Spanish/Latin American/Latino literatures

The study of literatures, language, and cultural practices of Spain, Latin America, and Latino populations in the United States.

• Creative Writing:

Exposure to a variety of world literary traditions, along with upper-division creative writing workshops.

The concentration in Creative Writing offers a sequence of workshops, from introductory through advanced levels, in both poetry and fiction. The Creative Writing concentration requires an application; interested students must take at least one lower-division creative writing workshop at UC Santa Cruz before applying to the concentration.  For more information, see Creative Writing Concentration.