Associate Degree in Arts -­ English (Literature)

Are you ready to expand your mind? Literature students discover the complexities of love, fear, courage, and the whole range of human emotions and motivations in the stories, plays, poems, and novels they read in literature classes.

Why study Literature?

Literature examines human life in varied ways, from considering our need to write to pondering why we're here. Many students say that discussing literature in class provides one of the best learning experiences in their college careers. The activities in a literature class - reading, writing, discussing, thinking critically about texts and ideas - prepare students for the work world and for life. But beyond that, studying literature enriches our lives, truly a central goal of higher education. Take the opportunity while you are in college to discover the deepest mysteries of the human heart. That's what happens in a literature course.

There are practical reasons for taking a literature course. The comprehension and communication skills from these classes prepare students for many careers. It's also true, though, that learning about literature is an essential aspect of the highly educated person. College graduates want to be able to say they know the great voices of literature, from Shakespeare to Morrison, from Achebe to Murakami, from Chekov to Chaucer.

At Parkland, you'll have the advantage of small class sizes, taught by master faculty - never teaching assistants. Your success is our priority.

Offering more than 100 Associates Degree and Certificate programs, Parkland College is well known for its small class sizes, state­-of-the-­art facilities, inclusive learning environment, and personable faculty. Parkland boasts the largest international student body of any 2-year college in the state of Illinois, with more than 300 students representing more than 40 countries.

The Associate Degree offers an ideal and inexpensive doorway for international students wanting to enter the American education system. Having worked to perfect their English language skills through the English as a Second Language (ESL) program or earned two years­ worth of transferable credits, many of Parkland’s international students then transfer on to 4­ year universities (2+2 transfer) around the United States, where they continue their educations, earning Baccalaureate and graduate degrees.

Parkland College faculty are well accustomed to the challenges faced by international students who are experienced in dealing with them. Parkland strives to enhance global awareness and multiculturalism through education and faculty welcome the perspective brought by international students in their classes.

Why Choose Parkland College

• Small class sizes and a personalized education
• Intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program for Non-­English speakers
• Complete two years and transfer credits to a 4­-year university
• In the same city as the University of Illinois, a top research university
• Around ½ the yearly cost of 4 ­year universities
• A diverse international student population, more than 300 international students
• Faculty focus on global awareness and multiculturalism
• Stand out!

In today's workplace, it's not enough to have technical skills. You need to be able to make good decisions and to think critically with a global perspective. Competency in English, with strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, provides the foundation for your future academic and professional success. That's why a college education includes coursework in the liberal arts—composition, reading, religion, philosophy, literature, and more.

Students discover the complexities of love, fear, courage, and the whole range of human motivations in the stories, plays, poems, and novels they read in literature classes. Literature opens human life in varied ways, from considering our need to write to pondering why we’re here. Many students say that discussing literature in class provides one of the best learning experiences in their college careers.

The activities in a literature class—reading, writing, discussing, thinking critically about texts and ideas—prepare students for the work world and for life. But beyond that, studying literature can enrich students’ lives, truly a goal of higher education. Take the opportunity while you are in college to discover the deepest mysteries of the human heart. That’s what happens in a literature course. The comprehension and communication skills from these classes prepare students for many careers. It’s also true, though, that learning about literature is an essential aspect of the highly educated person. College graduates want to be able to say they know the great voices of literature, from Shakespeare to Morrison, from Achebe to Murakami, from Chekov to Chaucer.

Courses

• LIT 201 English Literature I LIT 202
• English Literature II LIT 204
• American Literature I LIT 205
• American Literature II
• LIT 121 Introduction to Poetry
• LIT 126 Introduction to Drama
• LIT 127 Introduction to Fiction
• LIT 141 Introduction to African­American Literature
• LIT 146 Introduction to Non­Western Literature
• LIT 147 Introduction to African Literature
• LIT 148 Introduction to Latin American Literature
• ENG 161 Creative Writing I — Fiction
• ENG 162 Creative Writing I — Poetry
• ENG 261 Creative Writing II — Fiction
• ENG 262 Creative Writing II — Poetry
• LAS 189 Introduction to the Liberal Arts and Sciences