We investigate the design, purpose, meaning, modes of production and reception, and the uses made of literary texts. We carry out these investigations by closely examining texts in themselves and by bringing to the texts knowledge of relevant literary, historical, philosophical, and biographical contexts. We examine texts for their complicity in the construction of social norms and for their attempts to oppose or undermine such norms. The courses are designed to impart the skills of reading and writing and they have other goals as well.



However, our general English courses and our many writing courses address more directly these core skills. The department believes students should understand the "meaning" of literature in terms of social, cultural, aesthetic, and intellectual movements that are also the provinces of the social sciences. In addition, we have several courses devoted to studying theories of literature. Several others discuss literature as a realm of experience that reflects aspects of the social and cultural contexts in which it is embedded.