View over the shoulder of a student reading a book

Literature Bachelor's Degree

Program Details

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Available

On campus

Contact

Office of Undergraduate Admissions1.201.216.8348[email protected]

Infuse your literary passions with technology to invent new ways of understanding our ever-evolving world.

Housed in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the literature major at Stevens equips students with the ability to analyze and distill rich texts, a skill valued across professions.

Those who study literature at Stevens learn from the classics to drive transformative ideas, growing into critical thinkers ready to tackle modern complexities.


Catalyze Career Success

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences educates future leaders, and the expertise of our alumni powers human progress. Recent social science, literature, and philosophy majors started their careers within reputable 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

How has science fiction—from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Frank Herbert’s Dune—prophesied the dilemmas of modernity? How did the writings of Henry David Thoreau and his contemporaries inspire the environmental movement? How have scientific advances challenged conventional beliefs about humanity?

Learn from fiction and poetry's wisdom to create bold ideas and new scholarship.

What does the four-year study plan entail?

Below is an example of how a student might approach a literature degree at Stevens. Take a closer look at this sample study plan to discover the courses that define their 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 & Tech Studies

  • History of Science & Technology

  • Images of Science in Literature

  • Calculus for Business & Lib Arts

  • Computer Science

Sophomore Year

  • Realist & Modern Amer. 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 Screen Writing

  • 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 is a secondary concentration?

Cutting across academic disciplines catalyzes thought leadership, and literature students often pursue complementary coursework in science and engineering. A secondary concentration in literature consists of five courses, enhancing critical analysis and interpretive skills applicable to any field. Examples of secondary concentrations 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

Anthony Pennino

Anthony Pennino

Associate Professor

Smaran Dayal (sdayal)

Smaran Dayal

Assistant Professor