Literature Bachelor's Degree

Housed in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, this Bachelor of Arts program sharpens students' critical thinking, ethical analysis and problem-solving skills. By combining literary inquiry with technological awareness, our classes prepare students for careers in law, policy, business and technology. Graduates excel as adaptable, analytical thinkers ready to tackle complex challenges across industries.

Catalyze Career Success

The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences shapes future leaders, with alumni driving progress across industries. Recent graduates from the social science, literature and philosophy majors launched their careers at top organizations, companies and universities.

• Office Assistant, U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s Office

• Legal & Business Affairs, AMC Networks

• Operation Specialist, Edward Jones

• Student specializing in Global Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

• Full Stack Engineer, GeoMarvel

• Copy Editor & Writer, Thomas

• Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army

• Cultural Studies & Critical Theory and Analysis, Carnegie Mellon

Tech-Powered Curriculum

From the speculative futures of Octavia Butler to the ethical dilemmas in Frankenstein and Dune, literature has long served as a lens for understanding humanity’s relationship with science and technology. These stories reflect the challenges of their time while anticipating the questions and crises of the future. For example, the writings of Henry David Thoreau and his contemporaries continue to inspire environmental movements, while modern scientific advances challenge traditional beliefs about identity and existence, themes often explored in literature.

Students pursuing a literature major at Stevens examine the intersections of classic texts and modern technologies, using these tools to foster bold ideas and innovative scholarship. Our classes create spaces where literature serves as a bridge, connecting human experiences across time, cultures and disciplines. This approach not only deepens understanding but also offers fresh perspectives on how to interpret the world and reimagine the future.

What does the four-year study plan entail?

Below is a example study plan for a literature degree at Stevens, outlining key courses that shape a student’s academic path.

See complete details and requirements of the literature major in Stevens' academic catalog.

• First Year: Foundations in Critical Inquiry; Western Lit: Classical Literature; Western Lit: Middle Ages - Present; Intro to Science and Technology Studies; History of Science and Technology; Images of Science in Literature; Calculus for Business and the Liberal Arts; Computer Science

• Sophomore Year: Realist & Modern American Literature; The Legend of King Arthur; Science Fiction; Creative Writing; Science Elective; Math Elective; Secondary Concentration Courses; General Electives

• Junior Year: Writing & Research Methods; Literature & Empire; Intro to Cinema; Afrofuturism; Intro to Screenwriting; Secondary Concentration Courses; Humanities Electives; General Electives

• Senior Year: Senior Thesis; Classical Mythology; American Culture; 19th Century English Literature; Romanticism; American Films; American Fiction; Secondary Concentration Courses; Humanities and General Electives

What You’ll Learn

• Foundations of Storytelling: Chart the evolution of literature, from ancient epics to contemporary works, while honing your skills in written and oral communication.

• The Forces Behind Movements: Examine how societal, intellectual and technological shifts shape literary movements like Romanticism, Realism and Modernism.

• Research for the Future: Use digital archives, bibliographic tools and research methods applicable to literature, journalism, law and digital communications.

• Literature in the Modern Age: Connect literature with contemporary issues, from science fiction’s vision of the future to mythology’s lasting cultural influence.

• Your Creative Voice: Develop original work in fiction, poetry and essays while exploring how storytelling engages with social, environmental and technological themes.

What is a secondary concentration?

Interdisciplinary study fosters critical thinking, and literature students often complement their coursework with science and engineering. A secondary concentration in literature includes five courses, sharpening analysis and interpretation. Examples include:

• Pre-Law and Public Policy

• Marketing

• Science Communication

• Philosophy

• Film Studies

What is a senior thesis?

The culmination of a student's academic experience at Stevens, the thesis is a significant piece of original research designed and executed under the direction of a faculty advisor. Students contribute to academia’s existing body of knowledge, becoming scholars in their own right.

HASS thesis writers present their findings at the annual Innovation Expo, celebrating their intellectual curiosity and hard work.

Meet the Faculty