The literature concentration seeks to attract students interested in the study of British, American and world literary traditions. Dynamic English core courses provide majors with the opportunity to explore fundamental questions about the formal beauties of individual works, the status of literature within culture, the literary history of a period, the achievements of major authors, the defining characteristics of genres, the politics of interpretation, and the methods of literary scholarship and research. Upper-level literature courses examine how biographical, historical, cultural, or political contexts shed light on literary texts; how issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality may influence the production and reception of literature; and how students’ understanding of narrative can offer insights into their own lives and experiences.