Literature

Bachelor of Arts in Literature

Literature does more than prepare students for careers in a variety of fields; it equips learners with skills that are crucial to success in any endeavor. A traditional liberal arts major, Alvernia's Literature program offers students opportunities for self-knowledge and growth as they explore the ideas of great writers of past and present. Reading those works promotes development of high level communication skills while enhancing depth of knowledge across disciplines. Interpreting and deconstructing ideas helps students to shape their world-views while refining skills in logic, reasoning and conceptual analysis.

Because Literature courses encourage critical thinking, clear writing and effective communication, students that choose this major often choose careers in teaching, law, management, journalism, library science, government service, among other fields. The program also offers students the opportunity to prepare for graduate programs.

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Bachelor of Arts in Literature program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

Reading

General Notes

A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Literature majors must complete 39 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
- Lab Science (Met in major)
- Math (Met in related area)
Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
- History or Political Science
- PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3
Culture & Language (9 credits)
- Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
- World Language – 2 courses in sequence
Creative Expressions (6 credits)
- Literature (Met in Major)
- Art, Music, or Theatre

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level) (3 credits)
Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (3 credits) (PHI 290 recommended)

Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines.

Curriculum: Major Requirements

Required Courses (39 credits)

LIT 202: Critical Approaches to Literature
LIT 340: Zephyrus
LIT 406: Research Seminar
Two of the following (American): LIT 120, LIT 122, LIT 250, LIT 251, LIT 252
Two of the following (British): LIT 205, LIT 220, LIT 260, LIT 262, LIT 303, LIT 330, LIT 331
Two of the following (World): LIT 106, LIT 140, LIT 142, LIT 247, LIT 253, LIT 254
Literature majors must also fulfill 3 credits of study on a major writer or period (LIT 260, LIT 262, LIT 303, LIT 330, LIT 331, LIT 420) and 6 credits from the Textual Perspectives sequence (LIT 250, LIT 251, LIT 252, LIT 253, LIT 254).

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Through internships, students have opportunities to apply theories and knowledge learned in the classroom in a variety of professional settings. In addition to internships:

Alvernia students can earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area.
Alvernia's college newspaper, the Alvernian, provides an open forum for ideas and opinions through editorials, letters-to-the-editor, news stories, features, interviews and reviews and gives Alvernia students the opportunity to gain practical journalistic experience.
The Zephyrus, a literary magazine published every other spring, contains original creative work by Alvernia students, staff and faculty.
The Alvernia Writer’s Series provides an open forum for the live presentation of original creative works.

Accreditation Statements

Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Arts in Literature, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

English teacher
Creative writer
Technical writer
Editor
Reporter
Correspondent
Columnist
Copywriter
Commentator
Critic
Production assistant
Public relations representative

Literature majors also go on to pursue graduate and professional degrees in fields ranging from law and business to journalism and library science.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers for those with a Literature degree are expected to grow by up to 12 percent between 2021 and 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual salary is $51,000.

Opportunities for Majors

Alvernia Theatre Club

The Theater Club provides Alvernia University with a drama program; the area with a source of entertainment; the students with an activity and somewhere to express themselves; and as another way for the University to give back to the community. All of the members of the Alvernia University community are invited to participate.

Sigma Tau Delta, Kappa Pi Chapter

Sigma Tau Delta is the international English Honor Society. Members present papers and panels at national conventions and have won
thousands of dollars in scholarships and awards. With book drives, t-shirt competitions, bake sales, writing contests, trips to poetry
readings, participation in national and regional conferences, and other activities, the Kappa Pi Chapter offers students opportunities for fun and recognition for academic excellence.

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.

The Alvernian

Alvernia's college newspaper provides information and entertainment to the community, covering issues on campus and in the local communities. The Alvernian provides an open forum for ideas and opinions through editorials, letters-to-the-editor, news stories, features, interviews and reviews and gives Alvernia students the opportunity to gain practical journalistic experience. Contact Dr. Ryan Lange for information at ryan.lange@alvernia.edu or 610-568-1557.

The Zephyrus

The Zephyrus is the literary magazine published every other spring. It contains original creative work — poetry, fiction, essays, photography, artwork — by Alvernia students, staff and faculty. Department faculty serve as advisors and members of Sigma Tau Delta act as editors.

The Alvernia Writer’s Series

An open forum for the live presentation of original creative works.

Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s Literature program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to department chair Corey Harris at 610-790-1992 or corey.harris@alvernia.edu.