Literature and Languages

"Familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar" -Toni Morrison

The study of literature helps readers to draw connections between the global and the everyday. Reading literature brings us into an awareness of ourselves and allows us to live thousands of experiences simultaneously.

Likewise, the study of writing enhances our ability to use language to express ourselves in argument and art, to inform and raise public awareness, and to affect social change. To write well and responsibly is to be able to use humankind’s most powerful tool—the pen—for the benefit and betterment of others.

Our mission is to assist each student in becoming a responsible citizen and a member of society who appreciates the diversity of cultures that make up our literary heritage.

The department’s major programs aim to provide life enrichment through a liberal arts curriculum and experiential learning through professional opportunities.

The curricular objectives are consistent with those of the Modern Language Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, the American Literature Association, and the International Writing Centers Association.

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Department Chair

Dr. Robin Cadwallader
814.472.3051
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Meet our Faculty

Majors, Minors & Concentrations
Curriculum
Outside the Classroom
Literature Program Highlights

Majors, Minors & Concentrations

Majors:

English, B.A.
Spanish, B.A.
Spanish, International Business/Modern Language, Interdisciplinary, B.A.

Minors:

Concentrations:

English, Media Studies Concentration, B.A. - Course Catalog Major Requirements
English, Secondary Education Concentration, B.A. - Course Catalog Major Requirements
English, Secondary Special Education Concentration, B.A. - Course Catalog Major Requirements
Spanish, Secondary Education Concentration, B.A. - Course Catalog Major Requirements
Spanish, Secondary Special Education Concentration, B.A. - Course Catalog Major Requirements

Curriculum

English majors benefit from individualized student-teacher mentorship for research and graduate studies. Over 50% of our majors pursue graduate degrees. The department offers a variety of grants, work-study opportunities, and generous student research support, as well as academic enhancement through conference presentations and attendance, Literary Club, and study abroad. The Writing Center offers both excellent writing support, with opportunities for hands-on tutoring experience and research. The department also organizes reading events, sponsors the literary journal Tapestries, and endorses other campus-wide publications, such as Visions, the university’s magazine for high school writing.

Literature & Languages faculty teach, specialize, and have an interest in a variety of areas:

British and American literature
African-American literature
women and literature
Shakespearian studies
18th-century Irish periodical literature
world literatures
ecofeminism
animal rights literature
graphic novels
race theory
environmental literature

popular culture
vegetarian theory
monsters in literature
medicine in literature
Romance and Latin American literature
genre studies
American working-class literature
Italian cinema
the politics of food
writing pedagogy
writing center administration

Visit the academic catalog and scroll to the School of STEAM to view degree requirements.

Outside the Classroom

From clubs to campus publications, students have various opportunities to gain real-world experience and add to their resumes. Here are just a few of the offerings for our majors and minors:

Literary Club – Many of our majors and minors are active members of the Literary Club, which, in addition to hosting public readings and writing workshops, provides transportation and travel money for off-campus cultural events. One year, for instance, members of the Literary Club, accompanied by Professor Emeritus Dr. Kirk Weixel, attended a production of Rent in Pittsburgh.
Tapestries, a university-sponsored literary and visual arts magazine, reflecting the broad creative talents of the university’s burgeoning writers and artists.
Visions, the university’s magazine for high school writing.
Writing Center – Many majors and minors also tutor in our writing center, helping their classmates become better writers, as well as sharpening their own interpersonal communication and writing skills.

View All Student Opportunities

Literature Program Highlights

A record of better than 96 percent employment or grad-school enrollment within three months of graduation.
A multi-disciplinary approach that places the study of English - literature and writing - in the context of our society by incorporating courses in philosophy, history, sociology, and political science.
Interactive student/instructor relationships with highly qualified faculty who enable students to put vast practical experience to use.
Independent study programs that allow students to pursue areas of special interest while working closely with a faculty mentor.

Teaching the Second World War

Garrett knew he wanted to design some kind of senior capstone project that would help him be the best high school history teacher he could be. Hoping to connect students with the past, he created a lesson plan that would incorporate local community members’ involvement in World War II.

Learn about his project

“Real Housewives of the American Civil War”

Combining his passions for studying war and gender studies, Harry has investigated individual women’s lives during the American Civil War in order to make arguments about the “domestic war” within homes.

Read about his research

The Question of Religious Tolerance

While conducting research as a history major at Saint Francis, Nick's personal commitment to his own faith, as well as current events left him questioning the tolerance of one particular faith -- Islam.

Read about his research

Going Global

Entering Saint Francis University as a middle childhood education major, Beth Wheeler never even dreamed about studying abroad, but one little bite from the travel bug and her life changed forever.

Follow on Beth's journey

On the (crime) scene

Eight-year-old Dallas Mosier wants to be a forensic scientist when she grows up. Fast forward 14 years, and you will find her still in full pursuit of her dreams.

Alumni Profile Dallas Mosier

Information or Infotainment?

Senior strategic communications major and pre-law minor Amanda Schiavo presented research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Her study explored three major news outlets, revealing that post-debate media coverage of the candidates’ debate statements is not reflective of their statements.

Read more about Amanda's research

Riding the Ed Tech wave

Tim Fish merged his love of education and technology into a career that has including everything from co-authoring a book on technology leadership to helping his district raise money through a platform designed to evaluate teachers now used in more than 100 districts.

Read Tim's story

Marriage of Art & Health Sciences

Danielle MacMurtrie, a newly minted Doctor of Physical Therapy, finished off her final years at Saint Francis University creating an anatomy painting series for the School of Health Sciences.

Read more

SFU Spotlight

Brewing a Career

Senior Aaron Kirsch, the first student in the new Fermentation Arts program at Saint Francis University, learned to be the person behind that flavor and texture as he gained hands-on experiences through an internship with Draai Laag in the summer of 2015.

Read more about Aaron's internship