Students gain advanced knowledge of literature from the British Middle Ages and colonial America to global/postcolonial and U.S. contemporary, as well as knowledge of literary theory, literary analysis, and interdisciplinary methods. The course of study balances coverage of national literary traditions with innovative methods and topics such as literature and science; literature and environment; translation; gender and sexuality studies; and race studies. Students graduate with the qualitative and quantitative skills necessary for professional research and teaching in English, or demonstrated skill in creative writing for careers as professional writers.