Literary and Cultural Studies

Have you ever been so inspired by a novel that you made a change in your life? Have you ever been so immersed in a poem or a work of fiction that time has stood still? Do you love the smell of old books? Has literature helped you feel less alone?

Our Literary and Cultural Studies sequence enriches the natural love of reading great stories by giving you the advanced tools you need to understand the cultural contexts of their production.

Whether you are interested in the investigative search for the voices of marginalized authors lost in the archives or analysis of the impact of digital culture and audio books on storytelling, literary study today is a thriving professional field that teaches you how to read complex writing closely, understand the genres and traditions of many cultures, recognize patterns, theorize the impact of works on their contemporary and future communities, and master a range of research methods.

Why Study Literary and Cultural Studies?

Studying Literary and Cultural Studies is more important now than ever before. Artificial intelligence lacks the ability to recognize fiction or analyze narratives beyond a basic level.

Graduates who can recognize genres, tropes, historical contexts and patterns, and write authentic, accurate analyses –that are properly cited –will be in greater demand. Further, our Literary and Cultural Studies sequence is housed within an English Studies department. This means that students at Illinois State can and will work across a larger range of disciplines than majors in other universities. They will also learn about rhetoric, writing studies, linguistics, TESOL, creative writing, publishing, and teaching.

Related Skills

Literature students learn intense and sustained close reading of complex language across time and cultures, build historical knowledge, and can synthesize multiple conversations and translate key points for diverse audiences. They excel at textual, investigative research, recognition of genres and their structures and tropes, and the ability to see patterns across sources to develop successful models of questioning.

Being Successful in the Field

These skills make our Literary and Cultural Studies sequence majors successful in a range of careers that require hawk-like attention to detail, excellent communication skills, quickness in reading and writing, adaptability, creativity, and sensitivity to diversity.

Related Fields

Literary scholars go on to careers in AI development, law, publishing, freelance writing, library science, museum management, data management, criticism, copy writing, editing, claims examination, fact checking, speech writing, media analysis, and informational research, as well as pursue advanced Master's and PhD degrees to enter higher education.

Internship Coordinator

Applying to Illinois State

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

First-year students can declare the Literary and Cultural Studies sequence and begin taking exciting courses in the field.

Applying to Illinois State

Transfer students are warmly welcomed to the Department of English and our Literary and Cultural Studies sequence.

Applying by our priority deadline is encouraged for best consideration for your academic program and for scholarships. Start your application today!

Minimum GPA

2.00

Middle 50% GPA

2.60 - 3.29

Required Courses

None

Recommended Courses

To find the course equivalencies at an Illinois community college, please review our Course Articulation Guides.

Academic Advising

Minimum GPA

2.00

Middle 50% GPA

2.60 - 3.29

Application Period

Applications are always available.

Application Information

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu.

Major Requirements

Current students can use the Apply to Your Program tool on My.IllinoisState.edu .

Academic Advising