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    Literature and Critical Analysis

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    Office of Admission

    Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
    79 Fifth Avenue, 5th floor 
    New York, NY 10003 
    Phone: 212.229.5150 or 
    800.292.3040
    Fax: 212.229.5355
    [email protected]

    Program Contacts

    For general questions about Literary Studies, please email [email protected]. 
    Find Literary Studies faculty and advisors.

    Literary Studies Co-Chairs

    Literature and Critical Analysis Chair
    Juan De Castro
    Professor, Literary Studies
    [email protected]

    Writing Chair
    Jennifer Firestone
    Director, Academic Fellows
    Associate Professor, Literary Studies
    [email protected]

    Departmental Faculty Advisors

    Literature and Critical Analysis Departmental Faculty Advisor
    Juan De Castro
    Professor, Literary Studies
    [email protected]

    Writing Departmental Faculty Advisor
    Albert Mobilio
    Associate Professor, Literary Studies
    [email protected]

    Literature and Critical Analysis Capstone Coordinator 
    Inessa Medzhibovskaya
    Professor of Liberal Studies and Literary Studies
    [email protected]

    Writing Capstone Coordinator 
    Wendy Xu
    Assistant Professor, Writing
    [email protected]

    Student Success Advisor for Literary Studies

    Chris McElderry
    Assistant Director of Student Success Advising at Lang
    [email protected]
    646.909.2260

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    Launch Experience

  • In the Literature and Critical Analysis concentration of the Literary Studies major at Lang, you learn to view the written word from both critical and creative perspectives. While acquiring a broad knowledge of the history of world literatures in English and in translation, you hone skills as a critical reader, writer, and analytical thinker. You explore genres across cultural borders and historical periods, studying works of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama.

    • Study Options Concentration, Minor

    Through courses in the Literature and Critical Analysis concentration, you cultivate:

    • A high level of literacy through sustained exposure to and careful study of literary texts
    • Analytic writing skills in reviewing primary texts and secondary sources and presenting theories and findings with evidence and documentation
    • Improved skills in the advanced arts of interpretation, including “close” reading, structural analysis of artistic works, and logical analysis
    • A nuanced understanding of the multiple ways of being in the world across time and space

    You are encouraged either to explore genres across linguistic borders and historical periods or to attain a deep knowledge of particular regions or periods, extending across genres, in preparation for an independent senior “capstone” research essay. While nearly all of the courses are taught in English, Literature students often take courses in foreign languages or teaching English as a second language.

    Concentration requirements

    Minor requirements

    Connecting to New York City

    While it offers the atmosphere and intimacy of a small college, Eugene Lang College is part of The New School, a major progressive university in New York City. The Literature and Critical Analysis concentration connects you to this world capital of literature, publishing, and media through:

    • Class visits by well-known writers, literary publishers, practicing lawyers, archivists, and other New York City professionals
    • Access to New York City's archives of rare books and manuscripts
    • An internship program that places students with publishing houses, magazines, and other venues in NYC

    Career Paths

    Graduates are prepared to pursue a wide range of fields including editing and publishing, magazine writing and reviews, writing and editing for digital media, government and nonprofit careers requiring advanced literary skills, and advertising, public relations, and corporate communications. Graduates can also go on to advanced studies in academic and professional fields.

    Consult our 4-Year Lang Career Pathways Map (PDF) for helpful steps and resources to link your academic journey to your future plans. If you are planning to pursue graduate studies, consider applying to the Bachelor's-Master's program, which enables you to earn graduate credits that will apply to both your Lang degree and a master's degree in Creative Publishing and Critical Journalism or in Liberal Studies at The New School for Social Research. 

    Outcomes at Lang

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Undergraduates

To apply to any of our undergraduate programs (except the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs) complete and submit the Common App online.

Undergraduate Adult Learners

To apply to any of our Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students and Parsons Associate of Applied Science programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.

Graduates

To apply to any of our Master's, Doctoral, Professional Studies Diploma, and Graduate Certificate programs, complete and submit the New School Online Application.